Bangsawan Naga Chini

Last night I watched an opera called Bangsawan Naga Chini at Panggung Sari, Istana Budaya with Belle of the Party.



We got complimetary tickets from Tony Eusoff, a good friend of Belle of the Party, and a friend of mine too, who played Aria Chakra a peace envoy from Kemboja Sari in search of Kota Gelanggi but was stranded in Paya Chini.



That was my first experience watching a bangsawan, a traditional Malay opera that was once called wayang parsi.






Main casts were Ako Mustapha, Jehan Miskin, Tony Eusoff, Serina Redzuwan, Zuliana Abd. Aziz (Jue), Yalal Chin (BCM), Ebby Yus and Juhara Ayob.

It's a story of how love for one woman, Puteri Mayang Sari, brought about war between two men, Arus Putra and Gempita Sakti who are twin brothers.



The opera subtly reflects the reality of today's life intertwined in myth and legend.

My question is, if love is pure and beautiful, how can it bring about so much hatred, pride and prejudice? Love should bring peace - not war.



Nobody really gains from war…