Wanna check out some tarian zapin at ASWARA at the end of the month?

Main Zapin 2016 will be arriving to you again with its third production of the traditional performance comprising some of the nation’s freshest talents. Organized by Akademi Seni Budaya Dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA) Faculty of Dance, Main Zapin is an initiative which encourages young dancers to take ownership and learn zapin dance from traditional dance masters and acclaimed choreographers.

If you haven’t seen zapin being performed, it’s hard to explain the hypnotic dance in words. Dancemalaysia however has the basics.

Main Zapin offers participants the opportunity and freedom to put their own stamp on the form, but also encourages them to keep to the aesthetics, quality and main criteria of zapin repertoire — in other words, don’t lose too many things that make it zapin. Most choreographers however choose to retain the original features of zapin.

ASWARA will additionally present two known figures in the performance industry all the way from Johor — Limon bin Mawik and Othman bin Mat Hussin will demonstrate Zapin Wak Limon and Zapin Pulau to the participants of Main Zapin 2016 — in recognition of the research and conservation of the art form by the National Culture and Arts Department of Johor and also Prof. Dr. Mohd Anis Md. Nor.

Among works to expect in Main Zapin 2016 include Zapin Ghalet by Mohd Hazlami Harun, Zapin Seri Bunian by Norsafini Jafar, Zapin Sindang by Hanimah Samsudin, Zapin Selat Panjang Wak Limon by Syed Haziq, Zapin Gambus Kuala by Norsafini Jafar, Zapin Tanjung Laboh by Yunus Ismail, Zapin Pekan and Zapin Pekajang by Seth Hamzah, Zapin Salor by Mohd Hazlami Harun, Zapin Dayung by Azmie Zanal Abdden, Zapin Putar Alam by Fairul Azreen and last but not least is Zapin Arab Tawau by Al-Jabar Laura.

Main Zapin 2016 will be held at Panggung Eksperimen, ASWARA from 30 Sept – 1 October 2016 at 8.30 p.m. Tickets are sold at RM15 for adults and RM10 for students.