Han Chiang University College of Communication’s (HCUC) School of Applied Creative Arts and Designs lecturers participated in the opening showcase of George Town Festival (GTF2018) recently, by producing animations and visuals on Malay cultural heritage of Kelantan.

Those involved in this project were the School’s dean Lim Chun Woei as well as lecturers Benjamin Lam Xiu Qin, Mohd Eswandy Asre, Mohd Amizar Abdul Majid and Ben Lau Eng Wah.

The art of Songket: One of the animated backdrops displayed during the opening showcase’s performance

“We are responsible to design and animate a series of montages to be used as the backdrops for the opening showcase, which  focus on Malay cultural heritage of Kelantan like songket, wayang kulit and woodcarving.

“In addition, we are also assisting as the backdrop crew to handle the video switcher to ensure that all videos will be running smoothly during the show,” Eswandy said adding that the team was glad to be part of the prestigious event once again having collaborated with GTF  on several other occasions before this.

The two-day opening showcase was called KELANTAN: A Living Heritage, which was a show celebrating Kelantan, an ancient and traditional stronghold of Malay culture, known as the ‘Cradle of Malay Culture’.

Two of the HCUC lecturers, Eswandy (left) and Amizar participating in the project

Among those present at the show, which was held at Dewan Sri Pinang, were YBM Tengku Temenggong Kelantan Tengku Tan Sri Mohamad Rizam Tengku Abdul Aziz and Tengku Puan Temenggong Kelantan Puan Sri Dato’ Tunku Noor Hayati Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, Penang deputy chief minister II Dr P. Ramasamy, Permatang Pauh member of parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar and GTF director Joe Sidek.

The showcase  featured  the Rebana Ubi, the traditional drum; Asyik, a royal court dance; Mak Yong, a traditional form of northern dance-drama; dance piece Dikir choreographed by Raziman Sarbini; Dikir Barat, the lively display of a group singing in moving trance; Wayang Kulit, a type of traditional shadow puppet with child prodigy puppeteer Kamarul Baihaqi, and the splendour of Songket.

GTF2018 will run from August 4 till September 2. Visit www.georgetownfestival.com for more information on the programmes.