Hi everyone,

Below is an article I had came across about Donyang Sayang.  Though it is a short article from a journal I had came across, but it summarises what I think I would need to know.  Hope this is useful for all of you.

If anyone of you knows of some good dondang sayang, post it up to this thread to share.  (Put in the translations at the same time, so non-malay speaking will understand the meanings.)

Cheers

Jyun


[b]DONDANG SAYANG[/b]

Dondang Sayang is a form of singing poems, an art accompanied by its own unique orchestra. Dondang Sayang, translated from Malay means "melody of love". Originating from the Malay community, it has been adopted by the Peranakans as an integral expression of their culture.

History
Dondang Sayang grew out of shared cultural practices between the Malays and the Peranakans, although the performances also saw Indians, particularly the Chetty Malaccans join in - a testimony to the rich cultural heritage that is tied to the art.

The practice of Dondang Sayang can be traced as far back as the 19th century in Malacca, although some believe the 17th/18th century Hikayat Hang Tuah has made mention of this art. Lagu Gunong Sayang mentioned by a T. J. Newbold between 1832 to 1835 in Malacca is also believed to be an early reference to Dondang Sayang practised in Sumatra and Riau. The art continued to be closely associated with the Riau courts until the court's demise in 1911. Even so, associations such as the Gunong Sayang Association in Singapore, formed in 1910, and the Penang Dondang Sayang Club, formed in 1954, helped sustain the art until the 1960s.

[b]Description
Poetry[/b]
The four-line pantun or "poems" sung have a set literary structure. The first 2 lines, known as pembayang, serve as an initial rhyming agent, often with little relevance to the final 2 lines, the maksud or "meaning" which carries the main thrust of the poem. The pembayang usually describes an everyday event, object or person. The punch-line however describes deeper emotions from love to death, life's values and culture.


[b]Orchestra[/b]
The performance of Dondang Sayang involves a group of singer of ideally 2 women and 3 to 4 men and an orchestra of between 6 to 10 persons. Various musical instruments are played with the biola or the "violin" playing the main key and percussion instruments usually 2 rebana, or "Malay drums" and gongs adding life. Guitars, an accordian, tambourines, a flute are also sometimes added to the orchestra.

[b]Performance[/b]
The singers exchange a witty banter, making up pantuns as they go along. The process is sometimes described as a business transaction, with one singer selling his pantun and challenging the next singer to buying it. Beginning with an almost standard approach, the tajuk or "subject" of the pantun is first asked of by the host or key singer, with the next singer responding with a choice of budi, "good deeds" or kasi, "love". Invariably, good deeds is chosen over love with the repartee on a single subject continuing for as long as 2 hours or until a singer is at a loss for words. Good singers thus need not only an in-depth knowledge of local tales and proverbs in order to compose suitable pantuns, but also quick wit and a mastery of the Baba language.

Dondang Sayang performances are held in homes and on festive occassions such as weddings. The more private performances are usually conducted by the nonyas or "Peranakan ladies" while the more formal and public occasions have the babas or "Peranakan men" performing. These included competitions and at "spirit shrines" or keramat.



Author
Bonny Tan, 2000