Malaysia: Enjoy music, art and cultural festivals in Malaysia

Music concerts, a yacht competition, art exhibitions and cultural festivals await you in Malaysia next week.

On Jan. 13, American indie pop band Foster The People will perform at Kuala Lumpur City Center. Formed by Mark Foster (vocals, keyboards, piano, synthesizers, guitar, programming, percussion), Cubbie Fink (bass and backing vocals), and Mark Pontius (drums and extra percussion) in 2009, the group’s music, which is described as melodic dance-infused pop and rock, spans many genres.

Yacht enthusiasts can watch famous yachtsmen from various countries competing on Langkawi Island during the 10th Royal Langkawi International Regatta, which will be held between Jan. 9 and 14. See the full schedule in the official website (http://www.langkawiregatta.com/).

 Art buffs can enjoy fresh artworks by newly discovered artists featured in New talents Exhibition, an annual exhibition held between Jan. 12 and Feb. 24 at Sabah Museum. The event is aimed at encouraging young talents in the creation and appreciation of visual art in the state.

If you have a penchant for the underwater world and its amazing creatures, you might want to check out Sabah Art Gallery as it is holding a year-long exhibition of Sabah’s Bryde Whale Legacy. Initially unidentifiable, the skeletal remains of a whale discovered in Sabah was later proven to be the remains of the largest Bryde Whale ever found in Asia. Currently on display at the Sabah Museum, it continues to lure and fascinate visitors from around the world. Contact Person : Jennifer P. Linggi, Curator of SAG (Phone : +6088 268806, Fax:+6088210040).

For cultural enrichment, join in the fun and merriment at the Lion, Unicorn and Dragon Dance Festival, a colorful festival featuring over 60 dragon, unicorn and lion dance troupes that perform acrobatic moves in a showcase of Chinese culture and tradition. Organized by The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu, the festival will take place on Jan. 14. For more information contact Lim Shim Min (Phone : +6019 8738263, Fax : +6088 221440)

On Jan. 15, there will be the Pongal festival, a Hindu festival celebrated on the fourteenth of January every year. Pongal has astronomical significance as it marks the beginning of Uttarayana, the Sun’s movement northward for a six month period. In Hinduism, Uttarayana is considered auspicious, as opposed to Dakshinaayana, or the southern movement of the sun. All important events are scheduled during this period.

The festival is celebrated for four days. On, the first day, Bhogi, the old clothes and materials are thrown away and burned, marking the beginning of a new life. The second day, the Pongal day, is celebrated by boiling fresh milk early in the morning and allowing it to boil over the vessel - a tradition that is the literal translation for Pongal.

People also prepare savory snacks and sweets, visit each other’s homes, and exchange greetings. The third day, Mattu Pongal, is meant to offer thanks to the cows and buffaloes, as they are used to plough the lands. On the last day, Kanum Pongal, people go out for a picnic.

According to the Malaysia Tourism website the main Pongal festival organized by the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Penang, will be held at Sri Mahamariamman Temple, located on Jl. Tokong, Butterworth, Penang. For more information, contact phone: +604-650 5136. The Pongal festival will also be celebrated at various other places in Malaysia.

Langkawi Regatta: www.langkawiregatta.com