Traditional Dance
(9 April 2005)

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The expressive power of dance as an art form has
endured for centuries, in many different parts of the world.
Malaysia, with her rich intermingling of cultures, has a
particularly rich and varied dance heritage.
Whether performed by Malays, Chinese, Indians, or by
the peoples of Sabah and Sarawak, each performance is a rich
tapestry which weaves together exquisite costumes and equally
delicate and expressive movements. Whether telling a story,
celebrating a harvest, or celebrating life itself, the Dances Of
Malaysia are among our most cherished cultural traditions.
Traditional Malay dances are steeped in history and
legend. The Kelantanese Tarian Asyik is supposed to represent the
flight of birds - and the fluid grace of the dancers, as they sway
gently to the sound of traditional instruments such as the serunai,
gambang and rebab, certainly takes the imagination on a flight of
fancy. Equally mesmerizing is the Tarian Zapin, which has Persian
roots and has now developed many forms across the states of
Malaysia. One of the more intriguing variants is the Zapin Tenglu
from Mersing, which depicts the ebb and flow of the tides and the
lives of local fisherfolk.
Chinese dances, on the other hand, use simple props
such as Fan, Umbrella, and Handkerchief as extensions of the
dancer's own emotions. For instance, the fan is used to express joy
and happiness. The umbrella is used primarily to express passionate
feelings, either between a male and female or between an individual
and his or her surroundings. Many Chinese traditional dances are an
important accompaniment to key festivals, and are accompanied by the
pounding of the gu (drums) and bo (cymbals).
Indian dances are many and varied; some express a
more spiritual angle, others express the simple joys of village
life. Indian dances can be divided into classical and folk styles.
Of the seven classical styles, perhaps the best known is Bharata
Natyam, mastery of which can take many years due to the many
intricate hand, leg and eye movements which must be learnt in order
to perform this time-honored and venerated dance in its full,
unforgettable splendor
Kathak dance is another form of classical dance. The
word Kathak is derived from Katha, meaning "the art of story
telling". From its early form as a devotional expression dedicated
to the Hindu gods, Kathak gradually moved out into the courts of the
rulers.
Dances Of Sabah and Sarawak - perhaps the region of
Malaysia which is most blessed with forms of dance from Sabah and
Sarawak. The sheer variety reflecting the many different ethnic
groups of the land. The Sumazau is often regarded as the state dance
of Sabah. It is simple, yet graceful and evocative, as the dancers,
clad in authentically Kadazan black velvet, sway like birds to the
sounds of gongs. In the neighboring state of Sarawak, Datun Julud, a
female dance of the Orang Ulu tribe of Sarawak is performed with
typical grace and beauty with a distinct costume that include
feathers that are attached to the hands giving the impression of
birds in flight. The movement vocabulary simply focuses on changing
weight from one leg to the other in an almost pedestrian manner
making it earthbound while the use of the arms gives it a lifted and
light impression. As for Kanjet Ngeleput, this dance is also from
the orang Ulu tribe of Sarawak. The dance of a male warrior is
largely improvised deriving and depicting the activity of hunting.
The manner of placing and transference of weight is particularly
interesting beginning with the heel and through the outside of the
foot while the arms maintain a gentle swaying quality but is fairly
straight.
Technical Details
Date of Issue |
9 April 2005 |
Denomination |
30 sen, 50 sen, RM1 |
Stamp Size |
40mm X 30mm |
Miniature Sheet
Denomination |
RM2.00 |
Miniature Sheet
Size |
100mm X 70mm |
Stamp Size in
Miniature Sheet |
40mm X 30mm |
Perforation |
14 |
Sheet Content |
20 stamps |
Paper |
SPM Watermarked,
Phosphor Coated |
Printing Process |
Lithography |
Source :
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