Feseni

*Disclaimer: i) The writer tried to write this in the most polite and formal way as possible but please still be aware with the fact that he's not very educated in the language making it hard for him to accomplish the primary goal. ii) No harms were intended in writing this article, no intent to inflict any kinds of emotional distress and the writer is not going to take any responsibilities should it happen. iii) Grammatical errors indicate the limits the writer has in English and therefore 'English for dummies' as a gift for him is highly appreciated. 

Feseni Universiti Malaya (UM) or formerly known as Pertandingan Seni Pentas UM is one of the most celebrated, prestigious annual event of well, obviously Universiti Malaya. Organized by the university's cultural centre since 1975, it highlights students engagement in cultural activities or better explained with (take a deep breath) "maybe the one and only time in that very academic session, non-performing arts students have the chance to flaunt their artistic sides and by doing so bringing prides which some may consider as almost heroic actions to their respective residential colleges". That being said, Feseni is basically one of the main identities and traditions of UM awaited by UM students and staffs alongside Sukmum and Karviter. 

"What makes these events more interesting?" you may ask? It is the fierce competition between residential colleges and their hunger for the over-all winner title and trophy that makes them very unique! and should I say, grandiose(?). For FESENI particularly, competitive colleges do not mind spending thousands of ringgit to win, maybe that is tad bit more than a pinch of exaggeration but oh well, that show much it matters to students and staffs!

Winner for Dikir Barat, Second Residential College, Kolej 2A Group.

Winner for Tarian India, Ninth Residential College.

Winner for Nasyid, Twelfth Residential College, Kolej 12B Group: CG Farhana.

This two to three weeks long event include categories such as Boria, Dikir Barat, Choir, Nasyid, Chinese dance , Indian dance, Singing Competitions (English, Bahasa Melayu, Irama), Kompang, Pop band and Acoustic band but two of the major highlights for Feseni and are highly anticipated by artsy-fartsy, dancy-bouncy people are Tarian Tradisional Kebangsaan and Tarian Kreatif. In these two categories, Feseni is just on a completely different level! It is literally taken as platform for both emerging and established choreographers to make a statement of who they are in the industry and showing their fangs, FACT!

For this session, Traditional dance category has ONCE AGAIN (for the third time) won by Khairul Azhar and his dance troupe, Gema Nusantara which represents the Fifth Residential College. Highly-discipline dancers, perfect choreography and catchy tunes (*humming manis manis manis, okay STOP it already) received positive remarks and praises. Some background for him, he worked with Petronas Performing Arts Centre and Yayasan Johor before continuing his study and graduated in Bachelor of Performing Arts (Dance) in UM. He is currently doing his Master Degree in UM and also a lecturer in UiTM. Highly sough-after and having been involved in several musical theatre production (P. Ramlee the musical and Projek Kahwin to name some) he's in line with all of the most reputed and talented choregraphers in Malaysia.Plus, he is no alien to Feseni's stage as he has been winning the competition more than the number of hairs I have on my legs!! again FACT!

Tari-9 of Ninth Residential college won the Tarian Kreatif categories and bagged home both judges' special award: Best Costume and Best Choregraphy with piece entitled 'Pentik Penanya' '. Choreographed by two young, talented and emerging choreographers Andrew Igai Jamu and Bryan Omega who graduated from UM and UPSI respectively, majoring in in performing arts (Dance), the chemistry of these childhood friends managed to captivate and leave the audiences in awe. Andrew established himself in UM with his second piece for Feseni in 2015 and since then has become unstoppable: His final year recital project, 'the vanishing ink' was so good that he got interviewed by a TV host in Canada who interested to document the cultures of Iban People in tattoo-making and he has also received an invitation to re-stage it in Phillippines. Little is known about Bryan other than the trademark mole on his left cheek. However, from the sources that the writer have his final year project which revolves around the life of politicians in Malaysia was a massive hits with positive comments from his lecturers. He was also a very active student who has been representing UPSI for dance competitions. These two inseparable ying-and-yang' are currently working in Nusantara Performing Arts Centre and are planning to further their studies in the near future.

Anyway, Feseni has fall down its curtain for this session with Second residential College claimed their victory as the over-all champion leaving the first runner-up way behind the finishing line. It was a pleasant show, thank you for all the hardworks and congratulations to all colleges and participants.

*All photo credits to Festival Seni Univeristi Malaya