Bersantai in Singapore

First published in Sunday People, New Sunday Times
10 May 2009

Bersantai in Singapore


Rhythm in Bronze at a practice session for its Singapore show – Picture by Brian Fang

MAX KOH catches up with the women of bronze, who are set to beat new rhythms in Singapore

THE last time I met the Rhythm in Bronze (RiB) ladies, we were sitting in a small room in Universiti Malaya as we discussed their new acquisition — their very own gamelan instruments.

Strewn all around the stuffy room were shiny, new gongs, gambang (xylophone), suling (bamboo flute), demang, slentem, and saron (metallophones) which had been specially commissioned and made for the troupe in Solo, Indonesia.

They had also just held the traditional buka panggung (opening) ceremony at UM’s Department of Southeast Asia Studies exactly a year ago.

So it’s with a sense of déjà vu when I descended the steps leading to their practice room at UM. I remembered their warm reception, and how I struggled to jam along in their practice session.

The RiB ladies will soon perform for Singapore’s Flipside festival, from May 22-24, in conjunction with the Singapore Arts Festival.

The group will be performing three half-an-hour sets that consist of tunes such as Sekar Anyar, Sibaru Pastima, Ketawang, Pilogue/Jungle, Kosalia and Lagu Untuk Teman Lama.

The troupe will try something different for the festival in order to suit the theme of Santai! Rib Style. It will be more laidback than the fierce energy the group so effortlessly channels through its performances.

Says group member Ann Salina Peter: “Just like the word santai (relax), we are incorporating a guitar and bass into our music in order to fit the gig’s theme.

“To achieve that, we have rearranged some of the songs to make them mellower instead of the intensity of some of the songs we are known for. It’ll be different but still exciting.” What’s also exciting is the fact that this will be the first time RiB will be performing out of the country. “We are really excited about it,” beams RiB manager Sharmini Ratnasingam.

But she was a bit taken aback when the sponsors approached her.

“When they first talked to us, they were asking if we could fit into the ‘heavy metal’ theme,” says Sharmini with a hearty laugh.

“Well, I knew that we don’t have fiery guitar solos in our repertoire although we are literally ‘heavy metal’ (another laugh). But in the end, it all worked out and so we will be showcasing our brand of gamelan in Singapore.” Another first for RiB is the male factor in the troupe.

“Since we began in 1997, we have always been an all-girl troupe while we do have occasional guest male players,” says Christine Yun-May Yong.

“This Singapore gig will see an equal number of men and women players for the first time.” So does the presence of men change the group dynamics? “At first, I thought that it would be the same but I was soon proven wrong,” shares Peter. “We have played with some of them before but it is different when we sit down and play together for some of the longer pieces.

“It takes time to emotionally gel together.” On their blog, Sharmini shared how the presence of men means less girly talk and no more uncensored remarks.

“The guys are good but it’s more than just being technically right. Half of the practice time is to gel together so that the music comes out and not just the notes,” says Sharmini.

“It takes time for the group to achieve that level of chemistry where we can tell from each other where we are going in the music. It is a form of partnership that can only be forged after years of playing together.” Ever since they got their own gamelan instruments, the girls have been busy.

Last year, they performed at the Terengganu gamelan festival and the Sultan’s Jubilee Celebration in Kedah. They were also part of a community project for Women’s Aid Organisation where they held a series of classes teaching women and children how to play the gamelan.

“This year is also busy for us,” says Sharmini, explaining that RiB is slated to perform at the Klang Music Festival and may perform at this year’s KLUE’s Urbanscapes.

The RiB has also recently started a sister group unofficially called the RiBlets. “We have been auditioning and training some of the new blood. Ann (Peter) is the musical director and hopefully you’ll get to see them perform soon,” says Sharmini.

With such zest, it is no wonder that RiB continues to grow after 12 years of being together.

Catch Santai! RiB Style at the Esplanade Theatres from May 22-24. The outdoor performance will start at 7.30pm (Fri-Sun), 8.45pm and 10pm (Fri and Sat only). Check rhythminbronze.wordpress.com or www.esplanade.com for details.