Pusaka Evenings at Publika: Manora of Kelantan will be organized at Black Box MAP,Publika Solaris Dutamas, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 5th November 2016 (Saturday).

* For more information, please visit this website https://www.facebook.com/events/1780706185550374/

PUSAKA Evenings at Publika presents

Manora of Kelantan
featuring Kumpulan Cik Manis Bukit Yong

Talk on Manora by PUSAKA Creative Director, Pauline Fan: 5-6PM
Manora performance: 8.30-9.30PM
Free admission

Manora is a folk dance-drama tradition practiced by the Thai community in the north Malaysian states of Kelantan, Kedah and Penang, as well as throughout southern Thailand. A Manora performance incorporates stylised dance, singing, comedy, and drama. Ritual elements are strong in this performance tradition, which is often performed on special occasions such as Buddhist temple ceremonies and the initiation or coming of age rites of a dancer. Manora is also held at community gatherings such as weddings and public festivals.

The word manora derives from a Buddhist jataka tale about Manora, a heavenly bird-princess who falls in love with a human prince, Phra Suthon. This tale forms the basis of the tradition’s main dance sequence in which the principal dancer, as Phra Suthon, performs a courting dance with Manora and her heavenly sisters. Dance movements are characterised by backward-bent fingers and outstretched arms, alternating subtle and sudden gestures that are said to reflect those of a mythical bird. The opening dance is followed by a lakon (dramatic sequence), during which various stories are performed by the principal dancer, peran (comedians) and supporting actors.