GHAZAL

The ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming

couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the
same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a
poetic expression of both the pain of loss or
separation and the beauty of love in spite of that
pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th century
Arabic verse. It is derived from the Arabian
panegyric qasida. The structural requirements of
the ghazal are similar in stringency to those of the
Petrarchan sonnet. In its style and content it is a
genre which has proved capable of an
extraordinary variety of expression around its
central themes of love and separation. It is one of
the principal poetic forms which the Indo-PersoArabic civilization offered to the eastern Islamic
world. The ghazal not only has a specific form, but
traditionally deals with just one subject: love,
specifically an illicit and unattainable love.
In Malaysia, it is most popular in south peninsular
which is specifically Johor. This music usually
being played in wedding ceremonies of higher
class people e.g. the Sultan, main royal events in
Johor. Famous people on this type of music are
Fadzil Ahmad, Datuk Sharifah Aina, Ramlah Ram,
Rosiah Chik, Datin Rafeah Buang and more.

GHAZAL INSTRUMENTS

Harmonium Box
Violin

Tabla
Gambus

Tambourin

Marakas

NOBAT
Nobat is one of the Malay art heritage, which
remains until now. In Malaya, the Nobat is
the music that works as a performing arts in the
royal palace of Malaya. Among the Malaysian
states which still maintain the Nobat music
are Perak, Kedah and Trengganu.
Music of the Royal Nobat is
a band that only played at the palace and the
music player is made up of certain
people only. Normally, Nobat players skills are
passed down from generation to generation.
Since time immemorial, Nobat is only known by
the locals who live close to where the Nobat is
played. While rural communities do not know
much about the music of this.
Nobat has its own specialty. It is played during
specific ceremonies at the palace
as crowning ceremonies, celebrating a new birth in
the palace and others. In addition, there are
some restrictions that must be followed when
the Nobat music is played.

SERULING CINA
The Chinese Flute is an instrument of the
most popular in China. It is called as
"Zhudi", because it is made from a reed, and his
body has eight holes. The first hole used to
blow and the blow flows into the body of
bamboo that will produce sounds. This flute along
with Chinese orchestral music culture brought in
by immigrants from China to Malaysia in the years
before independence.

TABLA
Tabla is a traditional musical instruments which
are well known in the Indian community. The
instruments are said to be derived from a pair of
drums called drum Mridangam. The Tabla consists
of Sidda (small drum) and Dagga (large drum),
each has their own skin on top.The body of the
drum is made of teak, rosewood and jackwood.
The goatskin is pasted on the surface of the drums
to produce a beautiful sound.
Tabla is a percussion instrument in Indian
traditional music ensemble which usually are
played solo or sometimes to accompany religious
ceremonies, performances, barathanatyan,
marriage and so on.

DONDANG SAYANG
Dondang Sayang is a love song or ballad that is
often used by the community long ago to
convey their love. Dondang Sayang rhymes
are usually sung spontaneously.
According to history, Dondang Sayang is
practiced since the 15th century AD during
the Malacca Sultanate. During the reign of Sultan
Mansur Shah, the song is used to entertain the
traders who came in Malacca.
The quality of the lyrics depends on the efficiency
of conveying the message by the singer itself
through pantun (A phrase with four lines which
will be sung using the same rhythm and only the
lyrics should be made spontaneously). The head
of the Dondang Sayang music group is usually
the violinist, which his job is to conduct the
melodies in their performance.

GAMELAN
Gamelan is a band that plays classical song
using traditional instruments. This was originally
played long time ago in the castle during both
official and leisure events. Today, there are many
new modern melody composed and played in
many events even in schools. Gamelan band
comprises of majorly 9 musicians who play their
own respective instrument.