KUCHING: The bangsawan, or Malay opera theatre, was more than mere entertainment in its heyday, it was a dynamic force for education, empowerment, and unity among Sarawak’s Malay community.
This legacy was revisited during a forum on the latest developments in the state’s theatre industry, held at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak Branch on Wednesday (Oct 29).
The session featured veteran performers and researchers, including Dr Nur Afifah Vanitha Abdullah, Abdullah Untong, and Malek Hassan, and was moderated by Dr Suffian Jalet.
Speakers recalled how bangsawan troupes once travelled from village to village not only to perform but also to raise funds for local schools and community projects, especially in Malay settlements.
The art form, they said, helped strengthen communal ties and fostered a sense of shared identity among Sarawak Malays.
Dr Nur Afifah noted that the bangsawan stage was once a platform that empowered communities through creative expression and storytelling, instilling moral values and social awareness in its audience.
“Bangsawan was never just about glamour or performance. It played a major social role educating the people, strengthening unity, and nurturing pride in local culture,” she said.
She added that despite the decline of professional bangsawan troupes in the 1980s, the art form continues to shape Malaysia’s performing arts landscape today.
“Modern Malaysian theatre, particularly musical theatre, still stands on the foundation laid by bangsawan.
“Its influence can be seen in how local productions integrate music, dance and drama,” she explained.
The forum also touched on ongoing efforts to document and revive bangsawan in Sarawak, including educational initiatives and collaborations between schools, DBP and local theatre groups.
Participants agreed that to preserve this cultural heritage, bangsawan must once again be brought to the stage, not only as an academic subject but as a living art form that continues to educate and unite communities.
