Pesta Raya restages iconic theatre work Salina, celebrates lyricist Habsah Hassan

The cast of Teater Kami's Salina – (from left) Rizal Aiman as Himy, Amirah Yahya as Nahidah, Ariati Tyeb Papar as Salina and Fir Rahman as Abdul Fakar. PHOTO: ESPLANADE – THEATRES ON THE BAY

Ong Sor Fern

UPDATED Mar 16, 2025, 04:28 PM

Thanks for sharing!

SINGAPORE – A classic work of Malay literature and theatre, a celebration of a legendary Singapore-born lyricist and an outdoor market featuring more than 35 stalls are some of the main attractions for Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts in 2025. 

The festival, organised by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, returns for its 24th edition from May 1 to 4. Early-bird tickets go on sale on March 18 at 3pm. 

Veteran Malay troupe Teater Kami will present Salina at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre. Directed by Cultural Medallion recipient Atin Amat, Salina is adapted from A. Samad Said’s 1961 book, which was a literature text for generations of students and teachers.

The gritty tale about a woman forced to prostitute herself for survival in post-war Singapore will feature a cast of familiar faces, including Ariati Tyeb Papar, Fir Rahman and Rafaat Haji Hamzah. 

Festival producer Hanie Nadia Hamzah, 44, says this commission is a way to reintroduce audiences to an iconic work that was last staged in 1993. “We also wanted to create an opportunity for Teater Kami. How do we garner attention for a theatre group that has been around for so long, but has not had the same opportunity as some other groups?” 

Dari Sudut Hati, Habsah Hassan (From The Heart Of Habsah Hassan) is a star-studded concert that will pay tribute to lyricist Habsah Hassan (pictured). PHOTO: ESPLANADE – THEATRES ON THE BAY

Malay music fans will also be pleased with the star-studded concert Dari Sudut Hati, Habsah Hassan (From The Heart Of Habsah Hassan), which pays tribute to the 75-year-old Singapore-born lyricist. The concert will feature pop icons such as Dato’ Jamal Abdillah and Cultural Medallion recipient Rahimah Rahim singing some of Habsah’s greatest hits. 

Ms Hanie notes that while Habsah is a legendary lyricist, there has not been a tribute programme organised around her body of work. 

The Esplanade’s programming has also changed with the times, so the pop music showcase has been curated so that it does not “cannabalise” concert promoters’ offerings, says Ms Hanie.

This year’s music showcase at the Esplanade Annexe Studio lines up three acts: indie stalwart Noh Salleh, Indonesian musician Pamungkas and home-grown collective G-Town. 

The festival has always been about showcasing the best of Nusantara culture, so there will also be cutting-edge fare.

Indonesian contemporary dance choreographer Hartati will be staging her 2022 work Jarum Dalam Jerami (Needle In A Haystack). It is a response to Indonesia’s social changes over the past two decades and comes with a hay advisory as the set will be filled with the material. 

Singaporean performer and content creator Hafidz Rahman is premiering his comic monologue My Name Is (Not) Khan, inspired by his love of all things Bollywood.  PHOTO: ESPLANADE – THEATRES ON THE BAY

Singaporean performer and content creator Hafidz Rahman is premiering his comic monologue My Name Is (Not) Khan, inspired by his love of all things Bollywood. 

This year’s Pasar Pesta will be the biggest one yet. The collaboration with Me-you Market will present more than 35 stalls, curated from the region’s designers and entrepreneurs, selling clothes and crafts.

Ms Hanie adds: “Collaborating with Me-you Market, we hope to get the younger generation to come and also experience the festival at the same time, if they’re not exposed to it before.” 

Book it/Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts

Where: Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, 1 Esplanade Drive When: May 1 to 4, various timings Admission: Free and ticketed Info: str.sg/nkHA

More on this Topic

Join  ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Thanks for sharing!