Kepang THEIR alive

Kuda kepang, or traditional hobby horse dance, is an ancient mystical Javanese dance that has been practised by Javanese migrants in Singapore since the late 1940s. Discouraged by religious authorities, the ancient art form is drawing on its performance roots instead as practitioners try to keep their tradition alive.

- Azmi Athni

Hoping to bring a centuries-old dance into the 21st century, this February its practitioners will showcase their art form for one of their largest audiences yet.

Come Feb 7 and 8, some 40 members of kuda kepang troupe Kesenian Tedja Timur will take to the F1 Pit Building as part of this year's Chingay parade, performing to a crowd of more than 30,000 spectators.

In line with the parade's celebration of Singapore's favourite food dishes this year, the specially-tailored green and white costumes worn by the Kesenian Tedja Timur are inspired by nasi lemak.

Dancers will even wear replicas of the dish on their necklaces and tanjak - headgear made from folded traditional songket cloth.

Kesenian Tedja Timur - literally translated as Rainbow of Arts from the East - is one of Singapore's oldest professional kuda kepang troupes.

The group traces its origins back to 1948, the year kuda kepang performances were first documented on the island. The art form was introduced here by Javanese immigrants.

Since 2001, the group has been led by Mr Iswandiarjo Wismodiarjo, a fifth-generation member of the group, which has performed at the Esplanade as well as overseas.

The 42-year-old estimates that there are as many as 45 kuda kepang troupes with about 1,400 members across Singapore, though only about 20 groups are currently active.