Sriwana Information

Sriwana was formed in 1950 as a Keroncong Party (a traditional Malay Orchestra). Its activities were mainly to entertain guests at wedding parties and taking part in cultural shows organised by local educational bodies, especially the Malay Youth Literary Association (4PM), with whom Sriwana was affiliated, to raise fund. In 1955 Sriwana felt that a cultural body which specially dealt with cultural activities and developments was needed as most of the societies that existed at that time were either literary, welfare or educational bodies. Sriwana was thus formed to fill the requirements. Its objective is to be active in cultural field as a means to promote, uphold and upgrade the Malay arts and culture. To be successful in these objectives, Sriwana made an all out effort to make Malay youth interested in the cultural activities which was at that time monopolised mainly by artistes from outside Singapore and this made the local community felt that the cultural activities performed does not belong to them. As well to make the Malay, cultural conscious. To achieve these objectives, Sriwana has organised several activities, such singing, dance and drama competitions, workshops, talks and seminars including the publication of cultural magazines. Presently, Sriwana has five sections in its organisation for achieving its cultural activities. There are Drama group (contemporary and traditional form), Malay Music (traditional and modern form), Dance group, Dikir Barat , Tamudra (Youth Group) and Bengkel Kanak-kanak (Children Workshop). Our membership strength are approximately 200 ordinary members and 100 youth and children members. The five sections are actively involved, in their own ways in various cultural activities in the Republic. Since its formation, Sriwana emerged as one of the most active cultural bodies in Singapore. Presenting its own productions and taking part in several projects organised by local community and government bodies such as Aneka Ragam Rakyat (Outdoor Cultural activities), Cultural Festivals, National Day Rally , Drama, Dance and Theatre Traditional Festivals. Also taking part in National Day and Chingay Processions, and other events such as the Miss Universe Contest, TV programmes, shows for tourist and tourism promotional shows abroad. As for drama and dance, since it was formed in 1955, Sriwana had decided to take an active role in this field. Every year it is a must for Sriwana to stage drama and dance performances either in the form of contemporary or traditional. In the Drama Festival 1982 - 1984 organised by the Ministry of Community Development, Sriwana was voted "Best Performance" for its drama "Kutukan" in 1982, drama "Malaikat" in 1983, and drama "Selimut Putih" in 1984. All the successful dramas were written, directed and performed by our own members.