A 'Nobat' Performance Like No Other

By Hasnah Jusid

ALOR SETAR (Bernama) -- Kedah's royal orchestra members or 'nobat' musicians are eagerly anticipating the installation ceremony of Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah as the 29th Sultan of Kedah on Oct 22.

While they have played at many royal functions previously, this would be the first time they are performing at the installation ceremony of the state's sultan. The last time Kedah witnessed the same ceremony was 59 years ago in 1959 when the late Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah was enthroned.

The conductor or head of the Kedah Royal Nobat orchestra Mohd Nazri Omar, 56, said: "I'm certainly excited because after having been a part of the nobat orchestra as a flute player for 30 years, this is the first time I'm getting to see the Kedah sultan's installation ceremony.

"I am filled with unspeakable joy as the previous installation ceremonies were a part of our history but this time we not only get to witness the ceremony but are also involved in it."

ROYAL ENSEMBLE

Speaking to Bernama at Balai Nobat, here, Mohd Nazri said the Kedah Royal Nobat group, comprising 14 members, was used to performing at royal events and had played at various ceremonies, including the ceremony where Sultan Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah was proclaimed as the 29th Sultan of Kedah and at the funeral of the late Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, as well as in 2012 when he was installed as Yang di-Pertuan Agong.  

However, he added, their upcoming performance at the Kedah ruler's installation ceremony would be a special one as none of the group members have witnessed or participated in an installation ceremony in the state since the last one was held 59 years ago.

The Kedah Royal Nobat orchestra's history dates back to 400 years and it is said to be among the oldest in the country. The traditional music played by the nobat musicians is an important element of every royal ceremony. 

According to a thesis written by Harun Mat Isa titled "Kedah Royal Nobat" (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 1976/1977), nobat was a vocal-free musical rhythm played by a royal orchestra that used various types of musical instruments.  

The writer said to this day, nobat music was still performed on important days and at royal ceremonies such as the ruler's installation and funeral and ceremonies involving the Raja Muda and members of the royal family, as well as during royal weddings and when dignitaries visit Kedah. Nobat music is also played just before the time for prayer.

The present-day Kedah nobat ensemble uses instruments like double-headed drum, two other drums known as 'gendang ibu' and 'gendang anak', a silver trumpet measuring 83.8 centimetres in length, a gong and a royal mace that is held by the head of the orchestra.

NOBAT MUSIC

According to the souvenir book that was published in 1959 to mark the installation of Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah as the Sultan of Kedah, the royal nobat orchestra had played the song titled 'Raja Berangkat' when the Sultan and Sultanah entered the Throne Room at the palace at 9.30 a.m. on the day of the enthronement. The songs 'Raja Bertabal' and 'Genderang Perang' were played just after the state keris was handed over to the sultan amid shouts of 'Daulat Tuanku'.

On Oct 22, Mohd Nazri will lead his nobat group to play the 'Genderang Perang' song during the installation ceremony of the Sultan of Kedah.

During the 'Istiadat  Siram Tabal' or royal bathing ceremony, the musicians, dressed in the ceremonial black 'Baju Melayu' and complete with headgear and sash, will play songs like 'Gendang Anak' and 'Lumat'.

'Genderang Perang', also known as the 'war song' is two minutes and 16 seconds long and it happens to be the most important song in the nobat orchestra's repertoire that must be played at special events like the sultan's installation and the royal bathing ceremony.   

"The war song is very special as it symbolises the Sultan of Kedah's immunity," explained Mohd Nazri, adding that whenever the nobat orchestra performed, the musicians would play their instruments without looking at their notes.

"By just being guided by the sound of the flute, they know what to do next."   

The songs played by the nobat musicians always evoke a special feeling among the listeners. As observed by UKM's Harun Mat in his thesis, "Kedah Royal Nobat", the nobat music has a solemn style that was soul-stirring and held a secret of its own. 

PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE GENERATIONS

In Kedah, not just anybody can be a nobat musician. To be a part of the Kedah Royal Nobat orchestra, one has to be the offspring or family member of a nobat musician. This is why when a member of the nobat group passes away, he is replaced by one of his children or a family member.

Amizul Abdul Rahman, 38, who plays the flute, said he "inherited" his position in the Kedah Royal Nobat orchestra from his late father who was a nobat musician.

Looking forward to performing at the Sultan of Kedah's installation ceremony, he said he did not expect to get the chance to be involved in such a historic event.

"Of course, I feel a bit nervous but I will try to put my nervousness aside so that I can perform my duty well," he said, adding that the key to a good performance is regular practice.

Amizul, who has been playing the serunai for seven years and learnt to play the instrument from Mohd Nazri, said initially he was not interested in following in his father's footsteps but the sense of responsibility prevailed and he took the effort to learn the nobat art until he became proficient.      

"It took me about a year to become a skilled flute player," he added.

Translated by Rema Nambiar

-- BERNAMA