Life begins at 40
Indonesian singer Marcell wants to perform 40 songs for his 40th birthday at upcoming concert in Kuala Lumpur.
IS Indonesian singer Marcell Siahaan planning to quit his singing career?
After Marcell announced Once In A Lifetime as the title of his upcoming Sept 23 concert in Kuala Lumpur, the Indonesian media started speculating that it might be the final outing for the singer.
“The media asked why I decided to call it Once In A Lifetime. (The media wondered) if it meant that I wasn’t going to sing anymore? Am I going to be a hermit after that?” he shared during an interview in KL.
He then clarified that the Once In A Lifetime concert is in fact, a celebration for his birthday as the Bandung-born singer will turn 40 on Sept 21, two days before the event.
“Life begins at 40 right? Most people say 40 is when you start to experience mid-life crisis but I see it as a point for a fresh start. I also want to use the concert to celebrate my 15 years as a singer.”
Marcell started as as a drummer in a rock band before making his debut as a singer in 2002 through the hit single Hanya Memuji, a duet with pop artiste Shanty.
He admitted back then, he struggled with his new persona.
“You won’t believe me when I say this but I’m a really shy per- son. I consider myself an introvert.
“Being a drummer was a dream because it allowed me to stay in the background,” he said. Once of his first major public performances was at an event in Malaysia back in 2003.
“I was a boy from Bandung. I used to take the bus or just skate to get to places. I never imagined that I would be able to sing for a huge crowd.”
His anxiety almost got the best of him but in the end, the positive response from the Malaysian crowd compelled him to push further. For Marcell, there is no more looking back: “I have a huge gratitude for Malaysia.”
He has since made a name for himself through songs like Firasat, Semusim and Jadi Milikku. As he approaches 40, Marcell is learning to adapt to changes in the music landscape.
“Now I have to take selfies or do a video log. I find all of that (updating social media platforms) very difficult. I’m very old school,” he lamented. “But it’s a transition I have to make. I’m also taking the steps to becoming music producer.”
Plans are also underway for Marcell to release his seventh studio album. Currently, his latest single is Jadi Milikku , a jazztinged duet with Indonesian actress-singer Raline Shah.
The new song reflects the direction of his upcoming album. “Well, jazz is not easy. It requires more contemplation. I just thought why not? You can say it’s a reflection of my age,” he said with a laugh.
Will Raline make an appearance at Once In A Lifetime? While the Indonesian songstress has hinted so on her Instagram recently, Marcell is keeping mum, as he wants to surprise the audience.
“I want to perform 40 songs in two and a half hours.”
One thing he won’t do is replicate his look in the Hanya Memuji video where he wore an animal print coat with blue fur. Back then, he even had an afro. “No, no, no... please. I’m too old for that!” he assured.
Tickets to Marcell – Once In A Lifetime on Sept 23 at Plenary Hall, KL Convention Centre are priced at RM99, RM149, RM249, RM349, RM549, RM1,499 and RM2,099.
Go to www. marcellklcc. com for more information. COME Saturday, arts enthusiasts will be able to see a new style of dance that is recognised as a spin-off from kathakali, one of the major forms of Indian classical dance.
The Kerala Natanam, which follows the rudiments of Natya Shastra (detailed Sanskrit Hindu treatise on the performing arts) and the basic techniques of kathakali, will be showcased publicly here in conjunction with the Onam Festival Of Malaysia 2017. Organised by Sopaanam Arts and Amriteswari Foundation of Malaysia, eight artists from the Kerala Kalamandalam, India, are expected to thrill locals with their version of the dance on Sept 16 at the Temple Of Fine Arts Kuala Lumpur.
“I believe this is the first time Malaysians will get to see Kerala Natanam here. The songs are all sung in the Malayalam language and are very melodious to the ears. You don’t have to understand the language or the lyrics to enjoy the dance,” says C.D.Siby, the chairman of Sopaanam Arts.
In kathakali, the basic costumes and make-up are similar for all roles, whereas in Kerala Natanam, the costumes and make-up differ according to the characters portrayed; acting is also more expressive and involves more body gestures along with facial expressions.
Many of the dance items in Kerala Natanam are modified kathakali pieces – fine-tuned, tailored and adapted to suit the style. Costumes used for Kerala Natanam were influenced by celebrated Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings, which were easily identifiable by the ordinary people. The make-up of the artists was made simpler and that resulted in ease of application and helped save time.
For those who don’t know, kathakali dancers spend at least three to four hours to complete their make-up, which is done in stages; this duration varies according to the character and complexity of the costume.
Siby says: “Kathakali is usually danced by an all-male cast but here, the cast is all female, with lady warriors dressed traditionally. Since Kerala Natanam is a simplified form of kathakali, it’s easy to understand the plot. The audience will get to see both forms of dance so they can appreciate them better.”
Posturally, the forms differ as well – in kathakali, the dancer always has a wide stance with feet shoulder distance apart while in Kerala Natanam, the dancers take on the tribhanga pose, consisting of three bends in the body – at the neck, waist and knee. This gives it a gentle, graceful and sensual S-curve, commonly seen in the odissi style of dance
While Kerala Natanam will be the main draw at the festival, into its eighth year now, there will be other dance and music performances by international and local artists, highlighting a cross-section of Kerala’s rich traditional heritage.
Siby adds: “Lunch is an important component of Onam so the festival will also feature a sumptuous 24-course vegetarian spread, comprising Malayalee delicacies. Some of these items such as kaalan, oolan and avviyal are only served during Onam and Vishu (Malayalam New Year). Food is always a bestseller during the festival!”
Onam is a traditional 10-day harvest festival that marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. The Hindu festival fell on Sept 4 this year and is celebrated with much fanfare not only in the Indian state of Kerala but, by the Malayalee community all over the world.
The Onam Festival Of Malaysia 2017 will be held at 11am on Saturday at the Shantanand Auditorium, Temple Of Fine Arts KL, 116 Jalan Berhala, Kuala Lumpur. Tickets are priced at RM30 and can be obtained by calling 016-210 2845 or 011-3350 2088.