Tinariwen: The Roots Of The Blues Will Sing
Regarded as Malaysia’s performing arts history archive, PUSAKA collaborates with Malaysia’s Embassy of France to present Tuareg musicians TINARIWEN this 15 December at JioSpace, a venue in the heart of Petaling Jaya.
Regarded as Malaysia’s performing arts history archive, PUSAKA collaborates with Malaysia’s Embassy of France to present Tuareg musicians TINARIWEN this 15 December at JioSpace, a venue in the heart of Petaling Jaya.
Just a few weeks away from performing at the Shibuya Club Quattro in Japan, Tinariwen confirmed show at JioSpace, Petaling Jaya on Dec.15.
Malaysia’s performing arts history archive, Pusaka collaborates with Malaysia’s Embassy of France to present Malian musicians Tinariwen this 15 December at JioSpace, a venue in the heart of Petaling Jaya.
Until recently, the news of the Tuareg rebellion in West Africa are heard again ever since its 2012’s claim to have gained control of Mali’s northern region. Longtime camelback masters of the barren byways of the central Sahara, the Tuareg people have fought time and again over the past 50 years.
Their objective to safeguard a desert homeland autonomous from the mostly Bambara-speaking south has already threatened the 2015 peace deal. Aggravated by the withdrawal of UN’s peacekeeping mission, Mali is still in a political, security and humanitarian crisis 50 years on.
Meanwhile, another group of Tuaregs is making its way across Asia-Pacific. Tinariwen is a rock band from Tuareg.
Tinariwen is a Grammy Award-winning collective of Tuareg musicians from the Sahara Desert region of northern Mali. The band was formed in 1979, founded by Ibrahim Ag Alhabib.
Their music is performed in the traditional West African music guitar style known as assouf that originated from the “great bend” region along the Niger River, between Timbuktu and Gao.
“Tinariwen’s struggle is sung beautifully in their songs,” said Monica Tong, Music Press Asia’s APAC editor-in-chief. “Their struggle is reflected in their hope for a more peaceful homeland. And nothing more musically poetic in the sound of old rock and roll. The experience is subliminal,” she added.
Six years ago, Tinariwen’s story and music were just gaining interest. In 2017, Pusaka a not-for-profit organisation that works to enhance the ritual and traditional arts, in their quest to document and experience culture and share their calling and passion for Malaysia’s history debuted Tinariwen in Malaysia.
Today, Tinariwen has another reason to see Malaysia again. PUSAKA is turning twenty-one so Tinariwen heading to Asia is probably no coincidence after all.
Worldwide Tour
Prior to their Malaysia stop, Tinariwen is scheduled to perform at UAE’s very own Dubai Opera House. They head northward after Malaysia.
Not too far away in Thailand, Wonderfruit Festival awaits their arrival.
Malaysia’s Indigenous and Folk Acts to Open Tinariwen Show
Two Malaysian bands will be sharing the stage with Tinariwen’s show this December: First, inheriting the sounds of Tamil Nadu is Chinna Rasa Urumee Melum Masana Kali.
From the folk tradition of the Urumee Melum, it is believed that the double-headed hourglass-shaped drum from the state of Tamil Nadu in South India possesses deep sacred power.
According to PUSAKA, Urumee Melum ensembles in recent times have begun to proliferate, commensurate with a new awareness of the Indian community’s social history in Malaysia. This forges a meeting place of working-class Indian identity, principally among the youth, creating a vibrant, powerful, and independent movement within the broader spectrum of Malaysian-Indian culture.
The second band performing is Nading Rhapsody.
Already an established indigenous and avant-garde world music ensemble, Nading Rhapsody is a regular collaborator with Malaysia’s National Department for Culture and Arts.
In 2016, they were the recipient of The Royal Arts Gala Fund in 2016 awarded by My Performing Arts Agency (MYPAA).
Most recently, their live shows were seen regularly at Rainforest World Music Festival, ASEAN Music Festival, OzAsia Festival and Sarawak’s Hearth Heirloom Showcase.
Music & Listening: Tinariwen Launch 10th Album in 2023
Tinariwen’s first album The Radio Tisdas Sessions (2001) sets the standard for all world music genre folder in the Music Press Asia’s office.
Without the quick digitalized distribution of their music, Tinariwen’s music would probably not be as widespread. For this reason, we can now enjoy all ten albums in the comfort of our homes.
Although the Malian’s tenth and latest album Amatssou differs sonically from the first, their quest remains the same.
For more ticketing and event information, click here.
For more information on tours in 2023, click here to visit Tinariwen official website.
