Dying art of '24 Seasons Drums'

PETALING JAYA: With the art of playing Chinese drums slowly fading away, Lee Cheng Wai intends to keep its spirit alive by introducing it to Malaysians in schools.
"There are many forms of Chinese drums that are played, but the '24 Seasons Drums' is a Malaysian art that was invented in 1988 by a music teacher, Tan Hooi Song and a poet Tan Chai Puan, at Foon Yew High School in Johor.
"The rhythm can be mixed with different beats from the Malay kompang and Indian drums, creating a harmonious beat," he told theSun.
The 29-year-old instructor concedes the name itself confuses the public as most understood that there are only four seasons.
"Known in Mandarin as Ershisi Jieling Gu, it is based on the agricultural activity during the four seasons of the Chinese lunar calendar used in traditional farming in mainland China. "The seasons are divided into six seasons (jieling), making it a total of 24," he said, adding that its choreography reflects a farmer's movement.
The large drums, called shigu, are played using two wooden sticks, striking its surface, sides or hitting the two sticks together, which makes a strong timber sound or sharp tones such as 'tak' and 'tik'.
Literature on this particular art of drumming is limited, which is why he is training students in 15 Chinese schools in the Klang Valley, including Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and wants to introduce it at a national treasure at the international level.
Training can be strenuous up to six hours a day conducted twice a week, which is part of the schools' co-curriculum to build a team effort spirit, he added.
"We are called by potential schools to discuss on the drum instruments because a set costs RM800, including its stand and drumsticks. The set is only available in China, but there is an agent that supplies it. The school is able to buy it from me," he said.
His passion to pursue the loss art derived at the age of 10 years old, where he first learned it SJK ( C ) Naam Kheung.
"When my friend and I first heard the beat, it sounded cool. It dawned on me later that I would need to continue it at a Chinese school because I was given a choice to also pursue my studies at a national establishment.
"My father and I had a talk on my passion because I would need to be serious about it. I was happy with my choice because after finishing my studies, I joined a professional hands percussion company and gain more experience years on as a profession.
"It helps in terms of discipline and exercise. Moreover, it's a tradition that's not fully understood by us, so, it is my duty to inform our youngsters about it.
"We have also been planning since last year to have concert here and hopefully join Hong Kong's yearly drumming performance in July," he beamed.