'Setanggi Tari Melayu' dance show pays tribute to legendary Malay heroines

The Star

17-05-2025

ASK Dance Company's upcoming show Setanggi Tari Melayu 2025 – Quintessential Malay Dance is more than a performance — it is a sensory journey into the heart of Malay cultural memory.
Drawing its name from 'setanggi,' a fragrant incense used in ritual, the stage production embodies the lingering grace and layered heritage of traditional Malay dance. The main stage performance will take place at Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPac), 1 Utama shopping centre from May 30 to June 1.
''Setanggi' means incense, symbolising the enduring spirit of Malay culture – rooted yet ethereal, much like the dance itself,' says Joseph Gonzales, founder and artistic director of ASK Dance Company.
'Unfortunately, over time, much of our Malay dance heritage has been lost and forgotten through reduced practice and urbanisation,' he adds.
The performance, imbued with powerful storytelling and intricate choreography, aims to revive interest in the art form and shine a light on the resilience and grace of Malay women throughout history and legend, such as Tun Teja, Mahsuri, Cik Siti Wan Kembang and Puteri Saadong.
Fatin (centre) plays Melati, the lead role in the upcoming dance production 'Setanggi Tari Melayu' at PJPac. Photo: ASK Dance Company
"Setanggi Tari Melayu draws from these iconic heroines through a fictional character who challenges adversity with courage and wisdom in a journey that mirrors these legends,' says Gonzales.
Strength and softness
The production, which weaves together the traditional Malay martial art form of silat with folk dance genres, tells the story of Melati, a young silat warrior and heir to the throne.
She falls in love with a handsome and brave prince, who unbeknownst to her is a power-hungry and evil man who threatens the kingdom's harmony and even her life. Torn between love and duty, she must make a heart-wrenching decision.
Fatin Nadhirah Rahmat, who plays Melati, says that the role holds a special place in her heart because it mirrors parts of her own journey.
'Melati is a powerful woman – respected, strong and full of potential. But despite all her strength, she falls for someone who doesn't deserve her, someone who only wants to take what she has, which reminds me of moments in my own life when I gave my trust, love and energy to the wrong people," says Fatin.
Producer Imran Syafiq sees the opportunity to incorporate some new dances within the genres of joget gamelan, piring and zapin. Photo: ASK Dance Company
'This production gives me the space to pour that experience into my performance – through her story, I get to embody both strength and softness, power and pain. I also want the audience to see how even strong people make mistakes, and how those mistakes don't erase their strength,' she adds.
Challenging perceptions
Featuring choreography by Azmie Zanal Abdden, Mohd Fauzi Amiruddin, Imran Syafiq, Mohd Zulkarnain Zuber and Joseph Gonzales, Setanggi Tari Melayu celebrates traditional Malay dances such as Terinai Mengadap, Mengadap Rebab and two types of zapin, as well as inang and joget.
'As a Malaysian artist, it's been my dream to present Malay dance as a refined art form equal to Western classics. With this production, we aim to highlight its full richness and beauty,' says Gonzales.
On stage, producer Imran Syafiq is also seeing the opportunity to incorporate some new dances within the genres of joget gamelan, piring and zapin.
'There's a lot more to Malay dance than what typically comes to mind for most people – there is a beautifully intricate range of technique, musicality, choreography and history that is embodied within it," says Imran.
'Traditional dance shows are often priced lower than musicals or ballet, but I hope this production helps audiences see the depth of work involved and value it on equal footing with other dance forms,' he concludes.