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November 06, 2009 10:34 AM
Sri Rahmat Dikir Barat Group Reaches Out To Youths
By Intan Ariffin
KOTA BAHARU, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- In efforts to prevent the youths of Kampung Inap Desa (Homestay) Seterpa from loitering and idling, Seterpa Umno branch head Rosli Mohd Hamzah thought of a simple way of helping them, get them to join a dikir barat group.
No doubt that the youths need entertainment but it should be in the right way, a way that adds value to their activities, he said.
"I saw that they always wanted to try something. To prevent them from getting involved in negative things, I started the Sri Rahmat dikir barat group to keep their mind focused in this cultural activity," said Rosli.
THE HUMBLE BEGINNING OF SRI RAHMAT DIKIR BARAT GROUP
As the founder of the Sri Rahmat dikir barat group, Rosli noted that the idea was in his mind during the late 1990s after he began observing the youngsters at Kampung Sterpa loitering at the road sides and idling at the coffee shops up to late night.
There is no entertainment avenues in Kampung Seterpa and this is probably the reason why the youngsters are bored.
"Thus with the dikir barat group, we can keep them occupied and at the same time help to preserve the traditional entertainment, Rosli continued.
"Since the dikir barat group holds practice sessions three to four times a week, when they finish practice at 12 midnight they are too tired for anything and straight go to bed," he said.
More than half of the group members consist of youths aged between 19 and 25 years with some in the 60s.
At the initial stage, the group members had to come up with their own money to buy the musical instruments and they could only pool a small sum.
"On the principles, I stress this on the onset of meetings. If there is payment for performance or contest, 10 percent of the amount must go to the group's fund and the rest is for their personal use," said Rosli who is the chairman of the cultural bureau for Kampung Pak Rahmat.
EDUCATION FOR THE YOUNGSTERS
Nevertheless, Rosli admitted that it is not easy to educate the youngsters of today to appreciate and learn the old cultural elements.
Rosli is also active in RELA (Volunteers of Malaysian People) and is the head of the Kota Baharu district's 199 Platoon. What he has learned from RELA, is now inculcated on each member of the Sri Rahmat group.
"Some of the group members are working with the government and some are self employed, but when comes to the dikir barat team everyone is treated the same," he said.
Rosli said they have to hold steadfast to the principles of the team to ensure the 'awak-awak' (team members) follow closely the orders of 'Tok Jogho' and 'Tukang Karut' whether it is during training session or during shows, what more when it involves instaneuous presentation.
'Tok jogho' is the person in charge of the musical training for the group and the 'tok jogho' with exceptional talents in creating spontaneous lyrics are promoted to 'tukang karut'.
PRESERVING THE TRADITIONAL ENTERTAINMENT
Rosli is of the opinion that the presence of the youngsters, is important for the group because it is not only prevents them from getting involved in social problems but in the bigger picture it helps to preserve and perpetuate an art form unique to Kelantan.
As Rosli is active in community work, it is no surprise that he could bring together many youths along with the old faces who still know how to perform the dikir barat, 'silat tari' and 'kertuk'.
Other than the dikir barat, there is also a 'seni silat tari' dance group under his supervision.
"Thank god we still have the veterans in the village who still have the basics in dikir barat, 'silat tari', 'kertuk'," added Rosli.
CREATED A RECORD
"When we started first, we are the one who went out to invite the youngsters to join. After the Sri Rahmat group established its name...more people started joining us," he said.
The Sri Rahmat group became prominent in 2002 after it became the champion of the dikir barat tournament organised by Proton in Machang, Kelantan and through the invitations to hold shows.
"The youngsters are increasingly excited to participate in numerous contests. In the last contest that they participated this year during the Kelantan Sultan's Birthday, the group won all categories it participated," said Rosli.
Meanwhile on Oct 20, the Seri Rahmat group set a record after it performed the dikir barat non-stop throughout the journey from Singapore to Tumpat, Kelantan.
Right at 6.50 pm, Oct 19, the group started the show by the blowing of high and low notes followed by the rhythmic clapping of the "Awak-awak" before "Tok Jogho" started the incantation leading the "Awak-awak" and soon the "Tukang Karut" took on his role.
"We used eight traditional music instruments - two rebana (traditional drums) and one each gong, flute, tambourine, rumba, small gong and cin cak. Only the "kertok" we could not carry into the coach due to its size and furthermore it was unsuitable due to the movement of the train," said Rosli.
Deep into the night, the voice of "Tukang Karut" and "Tok Jogho" were showing signs of lethargy but each one of the team member were determined to set the record.
"Our spirits were renewed after the journalist and passengers joined in and followed the body rhythm of the "Awak-awak"," he said.
The writer could still recall the words of the "Awak-awak": "Dekat doh-dekat doh, Nok pecoh doh, sikit je lagi!" (we are already near, in a short while we will break the record).
Little by little the break of dawn came into view, further rejuvenating the spirit of the Sri Rahmat dikir barat team members to continue with their mission in the Ekspres Timuran until the train arrived at the Tumpat station at 10 am.
PROUD AND SATISFIED
Mohd Khairul Anuar, 19, was in smiles after completing the dikir barat performance with his team throughout the night, something done by no one else and that will remain etched forever in his mind.
"It was very challenging last night, but exciting, I always make sure that I'm in a 'happy mood'."
Mohd Khairul who loves this art form, began familiarising himself with the dikir barat since he was nine and got to know the Sri Rahmat group through friends.
Meanwhile, Sukri Mohd, 28, and Fairuz Abdul Kadir, 24, noted that the beats of the kompang and gong helped the team members to overcome drowsiness and tiredness.
-- BERNAMA
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