The Magic Touch Of Dikir Barat

Story and photos By GRACE CHEN

DIKIR Barat. What’s that? Most people are not familiar with dikir barat, but they don’t know what they are missing.

The sounds of dikir barat may not be a regular feature in the Top 40s but watching just one live performance is all it takes to get one hooked to this traditional performing art.

The dikir barat is said to have developed from a popular wedding dance among the Siamese (Thais) and Kelantanese. Over the years, it has evolved to become a ritual in agricultural societies to celebrate the harvest season.

Moving to the groove: The awak awak are the ones who liven up the show with their choreographed hand movements and rhythmic clapping.

The word ‘dikir’ means prayers and ‘barat’ means west, which is where the northern Malaysians in the olden days view the geographical location of Thailand .

And as far as famous dikir barat personalities are concerned, one name is prominent – Halim Yazid.

The 48-year-old cultural officer at Universiti Malaya and a father of seven has produced seven albums and four VCDs under his name. His album ‘Innovasi’ released in 2001 has since sold 20,000 copies.

Halim’s prowess as a tukang karut, the main person who will sing in response to the call of the opposing team, makes him a highly popular performer in Kelantan and Terengganu. As such, he can be paid up to RM4,000 for a 3-hour performance.

According to Halim. a tukang karutm must have an inborn talent for poetry, an indepth knowledge of current issues, a good sense of humour and, of coures, a strong stage presence.

“Karut does not mean ‘nonsense’. In the dikir barat sense, it means ‘spontaneous pantun’ (poetry). The most important criterion for a tukang karut is to be able to berpantun, that is, to respond poetically and spontaneously,” he said.

Tempo: The gong is an everpresent instrument in the musical line-up of a dikir barat troupe.

In a poetical debate, the tukang karut must have the ability to refute arguments the rival group presents. If he cannot answer, he has lost the debate. In the old days, things could get heated up and the night could even end up with some black eyes or bruised bodies,” Halim said.

Was there ever a time when he was at a loss for words?

“Never!” said the champion of a competition organized by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) in 1991.

Though Halim is modest about his skill and popularity, many in the performing arts community say that his prowess is on par with past greats like Hussein Gelang and Seman Wau Bulan, the very man who composed the lyrics of ‘Wau Bulan’ and made it famous.

Today, no respectable dikir barat troupe will end a performance without this famous Wau Bulan although the lyrics may wary.

Watching a dikir barat troupe performing is an invigorating experience for the senses, almost the height of delight.

In his blood: Halim and the dikir group made up of students from University Malaya.

To the Kelantanese, in particular, it certainly has the healing touch for a soul in an identity crisis.

According to Sri Cempaka Samudra dikir barat troupe leader Baharudin Ghani, this traditional performing art is very much about who the Kelantanese are.

“It’s in our blood. When you hear the call of the dikir, it moves the spirit and brings much joy to both the audience and performers alike,” the 47-year-old Baharudin said.

The Sri Cempaka Samudra dikir barat troupe comprises 25 men, mostly Kelantanese. Five musicians play traditional instruments, viz the rebana ibu, rebana anak, tetawak, canang and a pair of maracas.

The rest take the role of awak awak who echo the chorus sung by the tukang karut. The awak awak is also instrumental in livening up a performance with choreographed hand movements and clapping.

Baharudin, who came from (where else?) Kelantan, formed the troupe in 2003. He has been exposed to the dikir barat since childhood.

“My father used to take me to these shows during the rice harvest season and I’d fall asleep listening to them because he would stay on from 11pm till 5am,” the father of four said.

Of course, this was before the current state authorities imposed restrictions on such shows, requiring them to end by midnight.

Baharudin is not the only member who cannot resist the call of the dikir.

Abdul Rahman Abdul Rahim, 24, who joined the troupe in March this year, recalls how he found his new passion.

“I was on my way to dinner when I head the strains of the ‘gendang’ and the chants from far away. I promptly forgot about dinner and spent the next 20 minutes following the sound till I found the group,” said Rahman, who hails from Kuala Kerai in Kelantan.