Music.
Types of music that can be heard in Penang.
-Dondang Sayang-
Can be described as exchange of witty, sometimes flirtatious, verse through singing, often based on the Malay pantun (four line verse). Accompany by music from violin, gongs, drums, a flute and an accordion, with tambourines to keep the tempo. Dondang Sayang was developed through an interaction of local malays and Baba & Nyonya and became popular form of entertainment.
-Ronggeng-
It is a type of social dance, which mixed the sex couples dance and exchange verses to two accompaniment of violin, accordion, on or two frames of drums and a suspended gong. Then tambourine and maraccas are often added. It is believed that develop during the post-portuguese period in Melacca.
-Keronchong-
It drives by the name of an instrument (similar to ukelele). Accompanying band (keroncong orkestra), flute, violin, melody guitar, cello, string bass female/male singer. Originated from Indonesia, but become popular in penang mainly but ni exclusively with malay community.
-Joget-
Joget is a traditionally performed by a band made up of two rebana drums, a gong, violin / accordion, 1 or 2 singers.
-Boria-
In the Penang for 1940s and 1950s, boria was particularly popular. its orihin are to be found in persia, in the lamentations marking the death of Hussain at Karbala. It was performed during the first 10days of Muharram (month in muslim calendar). Boria in penang developed into a distinct performing arts which coorporated dance, music and comic social commentary. Boria troupes were numerous and the annual competition at Padang Brown brought together often more than 40 troupes, fiercely competing for the two prices.
the instrument in boria is : violin, maracas, tabla.Each troupes had a leader, a chorus, comedians and musicians.