By Norhayati Mohd Akhir
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- Seizing the challenge as an opportunity to gain new experience, Nur Izznayli Mirza Norazman is resolute in maintaining her composure while performing before dignitaries and visitors at the 2024 National Day celebration this Saturday.
Sharing her first-time experience participating in the parade and procession with 19 friends from the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (Aswara), the 19-year-old Kuala Lumpur native said she had to overcome her nerves to keep the jidur (a large double-headed cylindrical drum) in sync with the music's rhythm.
“I accepted this opportunity because, although I was involved in last year's National Day performance, it was on stage. This year, I will be performing in the parade.
“I felt nervous because this is my first time performing while walking. It was quite challenging at first to keep the tempo, but I’ve managed to get the hang of it,” she told Bernama during the rehearsal of the parade here.
Nur Izznayli Mirza is one of the participants in the Malaysia MADANI Community Contingent, joining the Jidur and Tetuang Seni Warisan group led by Aswara’s Faculty of Music lecturer, Shamsul Kamal Abd Rahman.
Meanwhile, Shamsul Kamal said that the group will be playing two musical instruments: the jidur and the tetuang (a wind instrument made from buffalo horn) performing the rhythm of silat.
The Malaysia MADANI Community Contingent's performance, coordinated by the Ministry of National Unity, is set to make history as it will feature the longest contingent ever, dressed in full ethnic finery with traditional accessories to symbolise the cultural diversity of Malaysian society.
The uniqueness of the contingent will be highlighted through a fusion of performances featuring various musical instruments representing different communities, including Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Orang Asli, Siamese, Chetti, Baba and Nyonya, as well as those from Sabah and Sarawak.
-- BERNAMA
