The “Culture, Nature, Future” of Citrawarna 2015

Citrawarna 2015

Since it’s inception in 1999, Citrawarna has been a part of Malaysia with it’s annual street parade in front of Merdeka Square or Dataran Merdeka. The colours, the music, the magic and the magnificence of Citrawarna was always something I look forward to every year. People from all over Kuala Lumpur and also other states of the country would come to Dataran Merdeka to witness the variety of parade brought by many organizations involved with Citrawarna.

According to Datuk Rashidi Hasbullah, Deputy Secretary-General of Tourism & Culture Ministry, programmes like Citrawarna is to promote Malaysia to the world as a tourism destination where we could offer different tourism products from different states through music, songs and dance.

This year however, Citrawarna 2015 took a twist from it’s norm and was brought to the visitors differently.

Themed “Culture, Nature, Future”

Citrawarna 2015’s theme was “Culture, Nature, Future” and in order to showcase the themes to the public, Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina, was appointed to carry the responsibility. Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina, known for being a director and producer to some of Malaysia’s theatre and musical theatre, presented two musical shows to the public on that night’s show.

 

Opening Citrawarna 2015 on stage opposite the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, the musical MUD KL opened the show at around 8pm. MUD KL is a musical on the history of Kuala Lumpur (Lumpur is “mud” in English) and how the city was built back after the great fire and great flood. Another musical show performed was to showcase the “culture” of Malaysia, centering on the diversity of the people and enhancing on homestay business for tourists.

“Nature” boasted the different strengths each state in Malaysia could offer tourists, with beautiful forests, beaches, flora and fauna that would capture the attention of weary world travellers. The “future” theme, on the other hand brought 5 of Malaysia’s well-known fashion designers to showcase their futuristic fashion designs. Designers involved in the show were Rizman Ruzaini, Melinda Looi, Zery Zamri, Rubaq and Zang Toi.

Citrawarna 2015 was then ended with dancing along with the VVIPs on stage and fireworks to end the showcase at around 10.30pm.

However, another concert, “Konsert Tribute to Wings” started shortly after, much to the enthusiasm of the crowd.

How I Feel For Citrawarna 2015?

Personally, I find Citrawarna 2015 lack lustre in comparison to past Citrawarna shows. I find the musicals not on-point or slightly off topic to the real objective of Citrawarna. Isn’t Citrawarna’s objective was to showcase Malaysia as a whole? Some of the costumes used for the musical were too “exposed” for a stage show, especially when audiences had to sit on the ground and look up to the dancers and performers. The dialogues used might not be understood by foreigners as the are too locally-tuned sometimes. Some of the fashion designs displayed was also too off-point for me, even though I know it is to align with the “future” theme, but it also should be on the basis of “Malaysia in the future”, instead of more “Western-ed Malaysia in the future”.

If Citrawarna are to be changed into a concert-like show instead of the usual parade like years before, then I think there are many room of improvements for future show directors to learn from.

——

ETW KL

This event was made possible by Gaya Travel Magazine for the Eat.Travel Write KL in conjunction with Citrawarna 2015

Written by 

LizzaBella is a part-time traveler, amateur photographer and videographer and writer. Connect with LizzaBella through her social medias today!

32 thoughts on “The “Culture, Nature, Future” of Citrawarna 2015

  1. I read some mixed review on this event. I agree with you that there are rooms for improvement.

    1. I’m looking forward to seeing an improved Citrawarna 2016. Hopefully it will be executed to a more people-friendly typee of celebration

  2. Never attend this event before. Thanks for your intro. Would love to attend next year. 🙂

    1. You’re welcome. Hope you will be able to experience Citrawarna yourself this 2016.

  3. Betty Liew says:

    Agree with you statement that Citrawarna’s objective was to showcase Malaysia as a whole. For me I still prefer traditional performance but Citrawarna should use English during the showcase as it can attract more foreigner to enjoy and know more about Malaysia Showcase.

    1. True. I don’t mind the mix of traditional and modern performances but I think it should be done tastefully. Even if the show is in Malay, they could probably give a summary in English because I heard some comments by international people near me that they “don’t understand what is going on”.

  4. its true that they can change it to a concert-like show to attract more crowd especially the foreign visitors 🙂

  5. I’ve never been to this event but I guess you’re right, there’s a room of improvements in the future! 😀

    1. Hope you’ll be able to see for yourself the show and share your thoughts on it.

  6. Interesting point of view. Sometimes it always take a third person to notice it. Hopefully next year’s one would be more attentive to even their costumes

  7. Always nice to showcase Malaysian flavours but not too westernized styles I guess…. they should be kept colourful and simple.. sometimes they forget less is more

    1. I know they’re trying to showcase what Malaysia has to offer but, I don’t know. Something feels off.

  8. I have heard of this Citrawarna event but did not attend because I was busy on that day.

  9. Guess, they went off topic lol which is not surprising as half of the time all these creative events are not planned by real art people instead done by business people who have a different set of mentality.

  10. Citrawarna look so happening… wish Malaysia Tourism board keep on update public more info .it’s really important as my personal view.

    1. Yes, it’s one of the more fun attraction in Malaysia. I know the Tourism board do update it in their website regularly on upcoming events in Malaysia.

  11. agree with your opinions. anyway i seriously have no idea about this Citrawarna. Feel useless as a malaysian. hmm

    1. LOL! Well, it has been ongoing for many years. Maybe in 2016, you can check it out or bring your family with you too.

  12. Hopefully this event will spread the message to the world how beautiful Malaysia is! 🙂

    1. Yes, I believe that is one of the objectives of this event and although it was a miss for me, I hope it wasn’t for others – especially the international audience.

  13. Never been to Citrawarna event before although I have heard a lot about it, looking forward the 2016 one 🙂

    1. Hope you will be able to experience Citrawarna 2016. Will look forward to your feedback then.

  14. I’ll go if they change to concert-like show! Haha. They need to improve. bring moreee Malaysia in it :p

  15. i about to go there!
    but got something happened , i counldnt make it last min!
    see you next time!

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