ARTS AND CULTURE INFORMATION GATEWAY
Immerse yourself in the colorful world of art and culture! From traditional heritage to contemporary works, discover uniqueness that reflects the nation's identity and identity
TARIAN INANG MAK TUA
Taman Malaysia, Alor Setar, Kedah
Picture
14
Video
Available
Today's Visitor
192
Number of Visitors
1014
Introduction and history
Tarian Mak Inang Tua was very much in favour and vogue in Perlis and Kedah in the 1940s and 1950s. Inang means nanny, which refers to the many nannies taking care of the princes and princesses at royal courts in the olden days.
Tarian mak inang tua dancers danced in male and female pairs and its main prop are the scarves of the latter. The dance was reworked in 1994 by the late Razali bin Ismail. Its moves were created based on Razali’s observations of socializing, bantering and teasing by the Kedahan which are ‘gerak ghasuk', 'gerak sauk' and 'gerak melayah'.
The lyrics of the mak inang tua song are about a person full of longing for his or her lover, crooned in Kedah accent.
The moves of tarian mak inang tua embody the grace of Kedah life and custom. As it is danced, it is expected that these grace and civility are emulated by society.
Tarian mak inang tua functions as entertainment at goverment and private events. It is also a crowd-puller to Kedah, especially tourists.
Its female dancers wear kebaya labuh, brooches, headgears or flowers. They too wear shoes. Shawls, or selindang, are placed on the shoulders, raising their elegance and beauty.
While the male wear Malay suits with a songkok, sampin, and footwear, the capal.
Ladies use their long shawls as a prop in the entire performance.
Tarian mak inang tua is be danced by four to six pairs of male and female dancers. In the old days it was rendered only by the female. But as times changed, male and female are welcomed to dance.
The number of pairs is subject to the size of the stage or dance space. Usually, the bigger the stage, the more dancers are required.
The notable figure of mak inang tua dance is Encik Razali bin Ismail, who is more known as Tok Ram. He created the dance in 1994 on the accounts of real-life affairs, socializing, joking and teasing one’s partner.
Formerly, tarian mak inang tua was only danced at palaces to the pleasure of the royals and their courtiers. Eventually it is danced by all in Kedah and Perlis, and later throughout Malaysia.
Reference Source
i. Tokoh:
Encik
Wan Mohd Nor bin Wan Alam
Location
State JKKN Contact Information
Encik Mohammad Salleh bin Mahmud
Cultural Officer
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Kedah
Kompleks JKKN Kedah
Lot PTD 400, Pumpong
05250 Alor Setar
KEDAH DARUL AMAN
011-10899646
