By Rosheen Fatima

As Rhythm in Bronze (RiB) celebrates their 12th anniversary this year, they put on a show to bring the audience into the festivities. RiB’s Manager, Sharmini Ratnasingam explains to Rosheen Fatima about the show and what they have planned for the future

How has RiB changed over the last 12 years?
RiB started with a ‘concertised’ gamelan style but in 2005 RiB started exploring Gamelan Theatre by putting stories and music together to present to its audience. With each performance the group has been pushing themselves to try something new and the end results have been – according to our audience – groundbreaking. It’s definitely been a challenge as most RiBbers are musicians and not actors/dancers, so sometimes the steps are a little wobbly but nevertheless they are a step forward.
The basis of RIB music is the exploration of new combinations of instruments, voices and sometimes non-traditional instruments to create a whole new world of gamelan sounds. It also allows composers/arrangers to express individual musical ideas based on the various gamelan styles, all towards creating a new Malaysian Gamelan.
This has allowed RiB’s work to take an intercultural approach, and work towards using gamelan on the concert stage effectively while attempting to develop a new audience for gamelan.

Can you describe the production ‘Hari Jadi with Rhythm in Bronze’?
‘Hari Jadi’ is a celebration of the 12 years we have been performing. It is a new milestone in Rhythm in Bronze’s journey, a sort of ‘coming of age’ ceremony. So we decided to throw a ‘birthday bash’ by mounting a gamelan theatre concert.
We will be performing various songs & pieces that hold a special significance in our history and development.

What do you think the team of Edwin Sumon, Susan Sarah John and Seow Lai Fong will bring to the production?
For years we have always wanted to work with Edwin so when we threw this idea to him, he whole-heartedly said yes. We are so lucky to have him on board and so far love his creative ideas. His method is different from other previous productions, where the music is the main motivator on how the end product will be.
Susan has been a core figure in RiB’s recent development and its music. It is amazing to see how Susan works; she reminds me of a sculptor when she directs and rearranges the music.
This is Lai Fong’s first venture into the realms of Music Directing, so it’s really exciting to see her journey and watch her develop. She is also performing in the production, so it is really valuable to have a voice from within the group.

What can the audience expect from the production?
My personal wish is for the audience to leave the performance feeling inspired. We want them to feel the love and passion we have for the instruments, the music and each other. We want to share with them the reason why RiB even exists in the first place.

What are your plans for the future?
One of our dreams is to bring the RiB brand of music to the world. So the next couple of years, our efforts will be geared toward introducing Rhythm In Bronze to the international platform, hopefully to music and art festivals in the region.
In the meantime we will still continue to explore our journey of experimentation in the world of gamelan theatre by fusing theatre and gamelan. We are addicted to the sense of adventure this style of performance brings us and you will see more in our future concerts.