Making music with family and friends

Harlia Shakira (left), the tuk juara, and Mavis Koh (right), a member of the awok-awok, graduate this year but hope to join secondary school that has a Dikir Barat CCA.

When asked what her friends and family thought of her joining a "Malay" CCA, Mavis replies matter-of-factly, "They said, 'You're Chinese; you know how to sing Malay songs, ah?" After a while, she got used to these good-natured queries and simply shrugs off teasing remarks.

Apart from the vibrant rhythms, it was the close camaraderie of the Dikir Barat troupe "that attracted me to take part in this CCA," reveals Mavis. The rapport has been fostered over many years, as many of the new members have older siblings who had joined the CCA earlier and in turn encouraged their brothers or sisters to participate.

Having family members in the same musical group certainly helps to hone one's skills. "We are always practising together at home after school," says Pri 4 pupil Zaaki Md Salim, who rehearses with his twin brothers Mahir and Fahimm, who are in Pri 3.

Similarly, Harlia Shakira, a Pri 6 pupil who bagged the tuk juara (soloist) prize at this year's nationwide Si Cilik competition, attends rehearsals together with her sister, another budding Dikir Barat performer. Mavis herself has an older sister who also joined the troupe before graduating.

Pupils show passion for an ancient art

The Salim brothers posing for a photograph with their mother before taking the stage.

Dikir Barat took off at Woodlands Ring Primary School in 2001, when a former teacher and Dikir Barat exponent, Mr R. Azmann, introduced the musical art form as a CCA. Today, the CCA is one of the strongest in the school and the troupe snags top prizes in Si Cilik, an annual Dikir Barat competition for primary schools, almost every year. This year, they even performed at the National Day Parade.

Since the CCA began, there has been no let up in enthusiasm. The troupe is limited to 50 members and only 20 individuals are selected for competitions, so pupils must vie for a chance to join. No prior experience is needed, but applicants must undergo a series of singing and rhythmic tests. "Every year, we have about one hundred pupils auditioning," says Mdm Eity Norhyezah Asyurah, the teacher-in-charge.

The Dikir Barat group giving their final performance this year at their school's Stars Nite concert.

Pupils as young as Pri 3 can audition, as the teachers have found that starting the Dikir Barat journey early provides more time for the singers to reach competitive standards. Once selected, the pupils are then assigned different tasks in the group according to their strengths. Some form the awok-awok or choir, while quick-witted singers could take on leadership roles as the tuk juara or tukang karut (a comedic, witty role). Those with a musical ear might serve as percussionists.

Describing it as a "challenging CCA," Mdm Eity see much value in Dikir Barat as "it inculcates discipline and yet is a very fun CCA." Furthermore, she believes that "it teaches the pupils about a cultural art form and helps to preserve it."

As Mavis has discovered, language is no barrier at all to learning and loving this gripping display of music and poetic wit. "I would ask all my friends of all races to give this CCA a try," she quips. So hooked on Dikir Barat are Mavis and her teammate Harlia that they plan to choose a secondary school with the same CCA so that they can continue to pursue their interest!