ARTS AND CULTURE INFORMATION GATEWAY
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Jastera Entertaiment, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 15150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan
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Introduction and history
Tarian Asyik is a classical dance of Kelantan. Its signatures are the dazzling golden headgear and magnificent dress of the dancers. Tarian asyik was created in Kelantan for her royal court, performed for the enjoyment of their kings and queens. The story goes that this dance arose from a 17th century Southern Thai Pattani king’s favourite bird. Unfortunately, his treasured bird escaped and failed to return after a long wait. Thus, to contain his sorrow and the never-ending grieving heart, the king ordered a dance resembling the movements of his dear bird.
Hence, like a bird, tarian asyik is very graceful and pleasing. It is danced mostly in sitting positions to resemble the movements of a bird, ocean waves, and an elephant with a calf. Again, as it is meant to be willowy, akin to the king’s bird, it is danced by female dancers only. However, presently, there have been a few changes where the dancers will slightly ascend from the sitting position. They also wear full-body outfits (observing the Islamic dress rule). In the past their clothes were equally gorgeous and unique like in the present, but they were a bit revealing.
Tarian asyik is one of the traditional dances of Kelantan which should be preserved.
Way back, tarian asyik was for kings and queens’ amusement, especially danced at the henna night ceremony of the royal weddings. However, at present, it is performed before the common audience, especially at festivals, state and national celebrations.
An ensemble of dazzling dancewear and fine crafted accessories make the dancers more beautiful. The dancers wear similar outfits, intricately created from a piece of sarong songket (traditional fabric), worn around the waist, tied in pleats. A lovely long piece of cloth is wrapped around the chest. A long scarf is secured on the shoulder, depicting the wings of a bird. While another is worn around the waist, tucked with a pending (an ornate buckle).
The Accessories
1) Large and high headgear – a) pemeleh’, b) jurai flower, c) hairpin
2) Dokoh (three-tiered necklace), and jasmine (white flowers).
3) Earrings.
3) Gold bracelets
4) A gold necklace, called Kalung Susun Tiga, and a piece of beaded velvet covering the chest.
There are no props in this performance while its musical instruments are the rebab, gambang and gedombak.
Tarian asyik is danced in groups of females only.
Reference Source
i. Bahan
Bacaan: Siri Asas Tarian Melayu Tarian Asyik (Mohd Hairul Anuar Bari), 2022
ii. Informan:
Janora Aladdin bin Jauhar
Location
State JKKN Contact Information
Encik Mohd Zanidizam Md Dila
Cultural Officer
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Kelantan
Kompleks JKKN Kelantan
Lot 1993, Seksyen 49,Tanjong Chat,
15200, Kota Bharu,
KELANTAN DARUL NAIM
011-31922039
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