Rallying Malays all the way

Nilma Dole

Everything that is bound to astound everyone with the art of Malay will come alive today and tomorrow at the ‘Padang’ complex, Colombo Malay Cricket club premises at the Sri Lanka Malay Rally 2008.

Featuring the authenticity of delicious Malay culinary delights, the colour of Malay costumes, the traditional cultural dances, the interesting sport and games with a ‘Do You Know’ contest to wrack those brains with regard to the Malay language.

Speaking at a press briefing heralding the Malay Rally this time around, the President of the Sri Lanka Malay Association Iqram Cuttilan stated “We are a small but robust community having a rich heritage and culture.

We are aiming to bring about 2,500 Malays from all around the country together from 23 Malay associations and taking this as an opportunity of preserving, promoting and gathering our Malay community”.

Having a rich heritage and history, the Malays have always gifted the Sri Lankans with much of their essence.

With regard to preserving their language which hasn’t been spoken much, the theme will revolve around making sure the Malay verse remains etched in the younger generations memories that preserving it is important.

Instilling Malay values, customs and ideals is going to be the mantra this time at the rally for the youth because the importance of having the Malay cultural identity is essential at the Malay Rally 2008.

Sport like ‘Sepak Takraw’ will also be played despite it being fairly unknown in Sri Lanka and the martial arts ‘Silat’ will be displayed in the form of a drill where many can watch in awe of the substance of Malay warriors were of ages ago.

Wonderful dances like ‘Tari Payong’ (umbrella dance), ‘Tari Chinta Sayang’ (dance of love) and ‘Ronggeng’ (dance to the lilt of Portuguese Kafringga) will be accompanied by magical Malay musical instruments like ‘gamelan’, ‘rabana’ of violin and cymbals together with drums.

The Colombo Malay Cricket Club was founded in 1872 and it is oldest Ceylonese Cricket Club, possibly the oldest in the whole of Asia.

Inaugurated in 1922 as a non-political organisation under the guidance of the late M.K. Saldin, the All Ceylon Malay Association now christened the Sri Lanka Malay Association (SLMA) has tried their best to preserve and promote Malay harmony and sustainability in Sri Lanka.

Its charity branch approved by the Government, the SLMA Rupee Fund founded by the late B. Zahiere Lye has offered help for over 10,000 people including giving scholarships for less fortunate children and service projects for the poor.

The Malay community is the second largest Muslim community in Sri Lanka who are united together through thick and thin and have been a significant influence for the Sri Lankan culture.