MALAYSIA> CULTURE & HERITAGE:

Cultural policy
Malaysia has becomes ad example in terms of creating a united, and harmonious society through culture. The National Cultural Policy is mainly based on there basis principles:

1. it is based on the malay civilization/malay culture;
2. it combines elements of other cultures: and
3. Islam is the primary element.

Art Galleries
The national Art Galary is one of the most established art museums in South East Asia. As Malaysia’s official art institution, it has supoorted the endeavours of Malaysian artists through exhibitions locally and internationally. It regularly hosts art competitions, seminars and workshops for art practitioners and students as well as numerous art-related events that appeal to the general public.
The PETRONAS Art Gallery, located at the Suria KLCC is a world class art venue. It not only allows a number of exhibitions to be displayed but also seves as a multi-functional hall.

Philharmonic Hall of PETRONAS
The Philharmonic Hal of PTRONAS is the home of the Malaysia Philharmonic Orchestra and the PETRONAS Performing Arts Group. The Hall, which combines the best of modern and traditional designs, can seat 885 persons.

National Theatre
The National Theatre was officially opened by the Prime Ministre on September 15, 1999 and renamed Istana Budaya. Its main objective is to increase aesthetical achievements of the performing arts in Malaysia Its prime role is to provide quality and affordable entertainment for the community in line with the national cultural policy.

Music and Dance
Music and dance are almost inseparable in Malaysian culture. Traditional Malay music is centred on the Gamelan, a traditional musical instrument that originated from indionesia. The lilting, hypnotic drum beats accompany the song of the gamelan.

The Joget is the most popular traditional dance in Malaysia. The zapin is a uniqe traditional dance which originated from the Middle East. It is preserved in Malaysia in both its orginal for, called Zapin Arab and Zapin Melayu which was adapted through the ages by the local Malay community.

The Dikir Barat, which is popular in the state of Kelantan, is performed in a poetic manner; one team will attempt to outwit the other. The performance involves of teams known as Dikir laba of not fewer then eight persons each. The Wayang Kulit (shadow play), which is also popular in kelantan features puppet figures, which are projected on a screen. The Tok Dalang or Puppeteer presents tales, accompanied by musicians using drums, gongs, cymbals and a traditional flute.

Makyong and Menora are opera-like classic theatrical plays, which originated from Thailand. Both plays are similar in Presentation. The only basic difference is that the Makyong features a team of dancing girls, while the Menora has an all-male cast.

Chinese and Indian Dance
The Fan Dance is said to have originated from the grandiose places fo the Chinese Emperors. It is performed by maidens in long-flowing costumes with fans in hands, in beautiful formation swaying to the graceful flow of the music
The Bharatha Natyam is a classical Indian dance traditionally performed in temples. It has its ortigins from South India and it involves complicated body movements and facial expressions, each of which has its own meaning.

The Bhangra is a lovely Panjabi harvest dance. The infectious rhythm of the bhangra has a huge following among the Punjabs and the dance is oftem performed during national festivals.

Malay Traditional Costom
Baju kurung, baju kebaya labuh, baju cekak musang, baju batik and kain palikat are some of the names of the traditional costume. Kain Palikat (Kain Sarong) is belive came from India through the Indian Muslim traders. Baju Melayu wear by Malay mean while baju kebaya is from women. Baju kebaya also is part of the Nyonya of Melaka, Penang and Singapore identity.

The Malay Silat
Silat is the art of self-defence and also considered as a from of art dance. There are many kind of silat such as silat cekak, silat gayung, silat kalimah, silat harimau and others. The murids (students) who study the silat does not only study the art of self-defence but also builds the inner (spiritual) strength. It is common that silat always demonstrate during marriages ceremony and during national celebration.