Pentas Agung proves CiTRA can deliver high-quality performances

By Qistina Rustam

GOMBAK, 19 October 2023: The Culture for Arts and Cultural Sustainable Development (CiTRA) of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) successfully highlighted its capabilities in delivering high-quality performances through the clubs under CiTRA during the Pentas Agung Night on 13 October 2023, which was the final day of CiTRA Open Day 2023.

The night, of which the preparation for this commenced in November 2022, was directed by notable music director and composer, Alfa Kesuma.

The Program Manager for CiTRA Open Day 2023, Amir Zakwan bin Esa, mentioned in an interview with IIUMToday many speculated that without any faculty of music, IIUM would not have the power to create outstanding musical performances.

“Thus, through CiTRA we are very grateful that many talented musicians were born, as proven by the spectacular performances tonight,” he added.

As a performer from IIUM Simfoni Club, Mohammad Syammir bin Mohamad Ghani has experienced singing at many events and claimed that Pentas Agung was his best performance, which surely was his most memorable moment at the IIUM.

œIt was an impressive performance and I wish it (CiTRA) would do more events like this because it really delivers the cultural aspects of traditional music, said Syasya Karmila binti Zainuddin who came to support her friend.

Being the only Indonesian performer on stage, Izka Azalia from Anklung Club, was proud to feature Anklung instruments from West Jawa and to share her culture with the audience.

Synonymous with the theme of the event œGaris Nostalgia The event aimed to revive and highlight the lost tradition of Malaysian cultures through excellent performances that cover unique cultural storylines.

A second-year student from AHAS KIRKHS, Nur Fatin Farisya binti Omar said, œSince we usually listen to pop music, tonight really exposed me to a mix of modern genre and traditional music and performances.

Besides Pentas Agung, CiTRA Open Day 2023 held other activities such as exhibitions, street performances and a theatre night from 11 October 2023 to 13 October 2023 at the IIUM Gombak campus.***