Sriwana its History, Activities and Achievements

Sriwana was formed in 1950 as a Keroncong Party (a traditional Malay Orchestra). Its activities were mainly to entertain guests at wedding parties and taking part in cultural shows organised by local educational bodies, especially the Malay Youth Literary Association (4PM), with whom Sriwana was affiliated, to raise fund.

In 1955 Sriwana felt that a cultural body which specially dealt with cultural activities and developments was needed as most of the societies that existed at that time were either literary, welfare or educational bodies. Sriwana was thus formed to fill the requirements. Its objective is to be active in cultural field as a means to promote, uphold and upgrade the Malay arts and culture. To be successful in these objectives, Sriwana made an all out effort to make Malay youth interested in the cultural activities which was at that time monopolised mainly by artistes from outside Singapore and this made the local community felt that the cultural activities performed does not belong to them. As well to make the Malay, cultural conscious. To achieve these objectives, Sriwana has organised several activities, such singing, dance and drama competitions, workshops, talks and seminars including the publication of cultural magazines.

Presently, Sriwana has five sections in its organisation for achieving its cultural activities. There are Drama group (contemporary and traditional form), Malay Music (traditional and modern form), Dance group, Dikir Barat, Tamudra (Youth Group) and Bengkel Kanak-kanak (Children Workshop). Our membership strength are approximately 200 ordinary members and 100 youth and children members. The five sections are actively involved, in their own ways in various cultural activities in the Republic.

Since its formation, Sriwana emerged as one of the most active cultural bodies in Singapore. Presenting its own productions and taking part in several projects organised by local community and government bodies such as Aneka Ragam Rakyat (Outdoor Cultural activities), Cultural Festivals, National Day Rally, Drama, Dance and Theatre Traditional Festivals. Also taking part in National Day and Chingay Processions, and other events such as the Miss Universe Contest, TV programmes, shows for tourist and tourism promotional shows abroad.

As for drama and dance, since it was formed in 1955, Sriwana had decided to take an active role in this field. Every year it is a must for Sriwana to stage drama and dance performances either in the form of contemporary or traditional. In the Drama Festival 1982 – 1984 organised by the Ministry of Community Development, Sriwana was voted “Best Performance” for its drama “Kutukan” in 1982, drama “Malaikat” in 1983, and drama “Selimut Putih” in 1984. All the successful dramas were written, directed and performed by our own members.

Sriwana Dance

Two years after its establishment in 1955, Sriwana formed a dance trouped led by Sopenah Somad. Two Indonesian dance experts – Tengku Yohanet Husny and Mdm. Ah Choon were invited to train the members.

They helped to improve Sriwana’s standard performance and repertoire. This was later followed by numerous cultural shows, dance classes and workshops and seminars.

Sriwana presented its first 45 minutes dance drama entitles Puteri Gunung Ledang (Princess of Mt. Ophir) by the then Ministry of Culture’s Cultural Week Show in 1962. The following year saw Sriwana featuring its very own dance items called Tari Payong (Umbrella Dance), Nelayan (Fishermen) and Petani (Farmers) for the Southeast Asia Festival in Singapore.

Since then Sriwana becomes a household name being continously producing its dance items to enrich Malay dance in Singapore. The Aneka Ragam Rakyat, a cultural show by the then Ministry of Culture and Singapore’s first Cultural Mission to East and West Malaysia and Brunei saw Sriwana as one of the participants.

Since early 70’s under the leadership of Madam Som Said, Sriwana popularity grew fast with time with its dance troupe performing for cultural events, organised by Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, Peoples Association and the National Dance Company.

The overseas event includes cultural exchange programme, arts festivals and cultural promotions. In 1974 Sriwana children dance section was formed to train children between the age of 6 to 12 years old in traditional Malay dance.

With the dancers continuous effort, Sriwana received numerous invitations for performance which includes Festival of Dance, Festival of Arts, National Day Rally, National Day Parade, Labour Day Show, Asean Dance Festival, Special TV joint productions, Sukmairama and Rampaisari, Mega Warna, New Life and others.

Besides participating for national events, Sriwana conducted regular workshops for children and youth as well as perform reach out programmes for charitable organisations.

Sriwana yearly dance production includes Rencah Budaya, Selangkah Seirama, Tariana and special programme – Malam Minang I & II.

Besides performing locally, Sriwana dancers had performed for international audiences in Adelaide, Russia, Germany, America, Iran, Japan, Hongkong, Taiwan, United Kingdom and many more. The recent trips were to Medan for the 10th Malay Cultural Exchange programme and the Zapin Festival held in Johor Bahru in 1998.

The children dancers has also participated at international festivals in Turkey, Paris, Spain and New Zealand.

Sriwana dancers had also participated actively in the Arts Education Programme organised by the National Arts Council supported by Singapore Totalisation Board, which aims to stimulate students creativity and develop their interest in the arts.

In 1999 Sriwana had a management change. Sriwana's dance section especially had a "face uplift". Under the direction of the new dance management structure, the dance section outlined the group's new direction i.e. management with a difference. More efforts are put in towards developing the group towards professionalism, developing new ideas to reflect in our performances and working towards identifying a group difference.

Sriwana's activities have not stopped eversince. Our recent major accomplishments will be the troupe's accompaniment to the pop-teen idol Siti Nurhaliza which had her debut solo concert here in Singapore at the Harbour Pavilion this year. We also held dinner performances for Jamiyah and LBKM - knowned charitable organization in Singapore. We also had invitations for TV appearances in entertainment productions produced by TV12 as well as private bodies like MYI International. Not to mention our public appearances in the several expositions held in WTC by several event organisers like "Mega Max Communications" and "Majalah Perkahwinan".

The dance section doesn’t cease in their objectives of promoting and upgrading the malay arts scene here in Singapore. With the latest internal production "Demi Hidup" or "Survival" which was held at the Drama Centre on 19 September 2001 the dance section can boast of her new talents and choreographies.

Sriwana was also selected and acknowledged as one of the leading local performing arts group, when she was featured in “Artistic Asia” – a culture-based program featuring all the different arts and group locally as well as overseas i.e. Indonesia and Malaysia. Program was produced by MYI – a re-known local production house.

In 2002, three internal major productions were produced. “Puncak” – 25th & 26th June, “1001 Malam 1001 Ragam – Ali Baba Dalam Kenangan – 7 Sept ” and “Mutiara Seni 02”- 5th October 2002 had added and activated the local arts scene here. Each project reflected the group’s prowess in their respective sections. All the three productions commanded more than 80% audience attendance.

Not withstanding the above, in the local arts scene Sriwana had also made her appearances in most of the cultural activities held. The famous Diva, Anita Sarawak for all her local appearances had used Sriwana for her songs accompaniment – from her debut local program to her now recent 2nd program. Not to mention invitations from Mediacorp TV like Ikhlas 12 – TAA, Hari Raya programs, etc. Another favorite invitee of the group is the Majlis Pusat which recently invited the group’s children talents to accompany our President, Mr. Nathan, to officially launch the Hari Raya light-up held on 1 Nov 02.

In 2003, the children from Bengkel Kanak Kanak were well complimented for their participation in Sukmairama, a variety programme in collaboration with Brunei. In early January 2004, Sriwana was also involved in the Hari Raya Haji programme produced by Mediacorp, Suria. Sriwana's involvement also includes various variety programmes such as Pesta Perdana (May 2004), Konsert Krayon (July 2004), Hari Raya Haji Krayon and Salam Lebaran (October 2004). During the same period, Sriwana was also invited to collaborate with People's Association in the Chingay Parade of Dreams. Other activities in 2004 include projects with National Heritage Board and Central Community Development Council (CCDC).