Schoolchildren shine in ‘Puteri Zaleha’

IPOH: A GROUP of 60 dancers recently put up a play entitledPuteri Zaleha which featured a variety of traditional dances.

It was held at the Perak Department of Arts & Culture (JKKN) auditorium.

The show, organised by JKKN and the state Education Department, was part of the Perak Cultural Festival 2014.

It was supported by Kelab Tunas Budaya Cemerlang, Kelab Giat Budaya and Bimbingan Seni Budaya Rakyat.

JKKN director Mariam Sulaiman said the annual event aimed to expose local talents, especially students and JKKN dancers.

“The performers, who are from schools, clubs and the department, gave mesmerising traditional dance performances.

“Among the schools involved are SK Rapat Jaya, SMK Dato’ Sagor, SMK Toh Indera Wangsa, SMK Raja Permaisuri Bainun, SK St Bernadette’s Convent, Elextrance Taiping, SK Panglima Bukit Gantang, SK Sayong, SMK Sultan Yusuff, SK Raja Chulan, SMK Raja Perempuan Ipoh, SMK Jelapang Jaya and SK Convent.

“The dancers practised for about six months under the guidance of JKKN trainers.

“We are planning to organise more shows during the school holidays,” she said.

Puteri Zaleha opened with the princess being sad because she was separated from her father after their palace was attacked by enemies.

She takes a trip around her kingdom to forget her unhappiness.

She comes across colourful cultures at the Malay, Chinese, Indian and Orang Asli villages.

The village folk welcome Puteri Zaleha with dance performances and play traditional games such as gasing, congkak and sepak raga to make her happy.

The show closes with her father who had been searching for her, finally finding her in the Bunian Forest where she was playing with the Bunian people.

Children playing traditional gasing games, performed by students of SMK Sultan Yusuff and SK Sayong.

Puteri Zaleha (centre) singing with village folk played by SMK Raja Perempuan students