By Maisarah Mijar
GOMBAK, 18 February 2019 – As many as 148 musicians from various kulliyyah background were gathered for the 7th series of Citra Open Day (COD) last Thursday (14 February).
And in just a few days, the tickets were all owned.
With its theme ‘Pulse of Love’, COD performed almost all of their own altered and composited songs done by themselves. Some songs that were altered are from legends such as Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Ahmad Jais and Hazami.
On the day of the event, Cikgu Hamdan Amnan from ASWARA conducted the performances for the first time as Cikgu Ku Zahir who had conducted the past six CiTRA’s concerts, could no longer join them.
The staging is not only centred of music but also poetry recitation as to retain that arts is not all about music.
“It is also a good opportunity to attract the new students and change their perception on IIUM that it is not only the Garden of knowledge and virtue but also the Garden of arts and culture,” said Amirul Iqmal who was the COD’s Programme ManageR this semester, and among members in one of CiTRA’s clubs, IIUM Nafastari.
This semester, CiTRA juggled their routines and training to celebrate the 35th birthday of IIUM as well. They included songs to rejoice the generation gaps of old and recent songs.
Meanwhile, the poetry and sajak recited by the students were not only focusing on love towards the significant other, but also about love and importance towards knowledge and self-love.
The Rector, Professor Tan Sri Emeritus Dzulkifli Abdul Razak was also satisfied with the performances. He said that the blood, sweat and tears of the committee members and the performers were paid off as the show was magnificent.
“It was my first concert and my COD and I’d say I am ecstatic. I did not know IIUM got these much of jewels (referring to the performers),” expressed Fatin Shafikah, a second-year student of Education.
Iqmal hoped that the exhibition and grand concert held could open up the new intakes’ and the audiences’ minds to wake the artsy part of themselves and join them at CiTRA as they were also recruiting fresh artists.***