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View all search resultsArtists calls for stronger support for Mak Yong theater amid UNESCO bid
At present, only two troupes in the Riau Islands continue to practice Mak Yong, with just one still actively performing, placing the survival of this centuries-old art form at risk for future generations.
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On Panjang Island in Batam, Riau Islands province, the Pantai Basri Troupe keeps the centuries-old tradition of Mak Yong theater alive through regular performances. (courtesy of/Batam Tourism Agency)
A
rtists and cultural practitioners of Riau Islands are urging the government to provide greater support for Mak Yong theater, amid Indonesia’s bid to have the traditional Malay dance-drama recognized on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
At present, only two troupes in the Riau Islands continue to practice Mak Yong, with just one still actively performing, placing the survival of this centuries-old art form at risk for future generations.
Tarmizi, founder of the Rumah Hitam Malay troupe in Batam, said that government support has been mostly symbolic.
“The government only shows support by featuring Mak Yong at official events. What’s really needed are proper stages for artists to perform and regular programs to introduce the art to broader audiences,” he told The Jakarta Post.
He added that Mak Yong survives today because one family in Batam has passed the tradition down through generations. Performances are often spontaneous, gathering family members who have learned the art informally, without the extended rehearsals common in modern theater.
“They perform naturally, instinctively. This heritage has been handed down from grandfather to father, father to child, and child to grandchild. Without government support, though, its survival is uncertain,” Tarmizi said.
He said Mak Yong’s survival is increasingly threatened by a major shift in the cultural landscape, including the rise of modern entertainment.
