Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam - Kiarong Primary School has emerged as champions of the 34th National Hadrah Competition for Primary Schools this year, beating their way to the top spot during the finals yesterday at the Mukim Sengkurong Community Hall.
It was a slim win for Kiarong Primary School as the five judges awarded runners-up Dato Marsal Primary School an 86.3 per cent score, just one per cent shy of the score achieved by the first place winners.
Dressed in gray cara Melayu (Malay national dress) adorned with sashes and headgear representative of the colours of the national flag, Kiarong Primary School won with their performance of the hadrah song, Sultan.
Black, gold and magenta-clad Dato Marsal Primary School did not make it easy for the judges with the students from Brunei II A area performing Allah Hu Allah.
Coming in a close third was Mentiri Primary School with an overall score of 85.5 per cent.
"This year, the students have shown a level of maturity through the hadrah performances. The synchronisation was really good on the whole and they all have exhibited our culture of respect by the way they enter the stage," said a representative for the judges.
From a possible 100 points, each school was given a score out of 40 were awarded based on the accuracy of the striking of the traditional drum, 40 points for voice, accuracy of lyrics, and originality, 10 for choreography and costume, and another 10 for the overall performance.
The competition was open to all private and public to schools across the nation, to students aged 12 years and under. A total of 10 schools made it the final of the competition yesterday from an original 25 registered for the preliminary rounds held in April.
Deputy Chairman of the competition, the Head of Arts and Culture Division at the Co-curriculum Education Department, Md Sofri Hj Md Said said in his welcoming remarks that among the aims of the competition was to introduce and strengthen the love of the art of hadrah performing.
It also hoped to conserve the art so that it continues to develop alongside advancements in science and technology, while adding a contemporary touch to the performances.
Md Sofri further added that the competition would also train and encourage students to work as a team, be disciplined and have the desire to be the best in their endeavours.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
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