25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Hands embarks on Melaka tour this June
KUALA LUMPUR: After a 7-year break, Malaysia's renowned percussion ensemble, Hands Percussion Malaysia, is relaunching Hands On Tour (HOT).
This exciting revival will begin in Melaka on June 13 and 14, with strong support from the National Culture and Arts Department of Melaka.
Founded in 1997, Hands is Malaysia's first professional drum troupe.
Hands artistic director Bernard Goh said in a statement yesterday that Hands combines the sounds of traditional Malaysian rhythms with professional theatre elements—including lighting, stage design, and acoustics—an approach that has enabled them to perform in over 20 countries.
"In celebration of its 20th anniversary in 2017, Hands launched its inaugural nationwide tour, Hands On Tour, with performances held in Johor Baru, Ipoh, Penang, Kuantan and Seremban in 2018. The tour was met with overwhelmingly positive responses from local audiences.
"Through each stop of the tour, Hands aspires to deepen public appreciation for Malaysia's intangible cultural heritage—specifically the 24 Festive Drums art form—and to spark a lasting interest in percussion, particularly among the younger generation," he said.
Goh said that the Melaka show will feature six compositions and a fusion of traditional and modern instruments, including the 24 Festive Drums and the Gamelan.
"Our performance integrates percussion traditions from Malaysia's diverse cultures. We hope to use the arts to bridge
communities, break down cultural barriers, and elevate percussion performance to new heights."
The performances include The Awakening, Rhythm Ride, Owned, Bare Hands Dance which features Kelantan wayang kulit star and the traditional Acehnese dance called Saman, and Nian X Legacy Of Passions that combines the lion dance drum and the traditional Malay drum called Jidor.
Tickets are priced at RM88 and RM108 and can be purchased at
