Bornean musicians Alena Murang and Kulleh Grasi’s take on contemporary East Malaysia

How do we prevent our cultural arts from fading into obscurity?

Grasi: In terms of cultural music, I like to describe it as a pemberontakan yang cantik, a Malay description that means 'a beautiful rebellion' because it's a genre that has no rigid structure. Music, like anything else, must evolve [to stay relevant], but it is crucial that we guide its evolution with a respectful, positive intent. My band, Nading Rhapsody and I honour the oral traditions our ancestors have given us through our sound. We allow the music to flow naturally, as opposed to forcefully modernising certain sounds just to be trendy.

Murang: By removing the notion that cultural arts should be preserved, and nothing more. Culture is a living thing—its living nature is a reflection of humanity. It thrives and adapts with each generation, shaped by the contemporary context of its surroundings. My grandmother's generation, for instance, adapted songs, lyrics, and attire to reflect the era they lived in. The key to sustaining culture lies in allowing each generation to adapt traditions while maintaining good intentions.

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You both highlighted the importance of intent when it comes to balancing between tradition and innovation; so how has that intent shaped your work? And how have you managed to maintain that balance?

Murang: Becoming a professional sape musician was an improbable dream. There were very few who pursued it, mostly older men. But my mentor, Matthew Ngau, took me under his wing with open arms. And my sape is actually handcrafted by Matt Linggi, who fashioned my custom-made sape after a 1930s model. He used adau wood because it has great acoustics, and he incorporated a traditional fretting that uses beeswax and has four strings—a nod to tradition because usually, the sape is a pentatonic instrument with only five notes.

Grasi: The key [to balancing modernity and tradition] lies in introspection, understanding our souls and our deepest yearnings. Our music speaks to the essence of one’s being, transcending time and remains relevant to listeners from all walks of life. Our audience is comprised of everyday individuals, the people we encounter on the streets—people who share life’s highs and lows just like us.

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So what do you wish for your music to convey to your audience?

Grasi: Clichéd as it may sound, music is a universal language that expresses our identities, origins, and values. Which is why I still have hope that indigenous music will live on. When Nading Rhapsody debuted, we were among the pioneering young artists making ethnic music, facing numerous hurdles in entering the industry. Commercial labels deemed us non-commercial and difficult to market. However, after going independent, we experienced newfound freedom and exhilaration. I mean, look at where we are now. World music has gained prominence and it's a genre that many are interested in knowing today.

Murang: In my shows, I share stories from my homeland—Ulu Baram in the Kelabit Highlands–and the lives of its people. Through heartfelt storytelling, I hope to foster a deeper mutual understanding of our culture among Malaysians and the rest of the world.

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