Musra Dahrizal
Master Artist and Teacher of Randai, Theatre, and Music

Musra Dahrizal, aka “Pak Katik”, is a master artist and teacher with extensive experience in the performing arts of West Sumatra. He has studied extensively with some of the most respected Minangkabau performing artists. Mr. Dahrizal is an exquisite performer himself, as sillier, musician, dancer, and martial artist. He has extensive teaching experience in his community and beyond, where he has taught students of randai for many years. He is widely respected as a bearer of tradition and as cultural elder for Minang arts. He was the artistic leader of the randai group Palito Nyalo (Bright Light) from Padang, West Sumatra. This group has toured extensively throughout Indonesia, has won several prestigious prizes, such as those from the Indonesian Department of Education and Culture (1982, 1990) and from the Art Center of West Sumatra (1990). The group was recognized as a “Cultural Treasure” of Indonesia in 1992. The group was among the fillalists in the 5th West Sumatran Randai Festival in 1994 and is acclaimed as one of the fillest randai ensembles in the world. Mr. Dahrizal has also started a new Randai group under the name “Rambun Sati” in Batipuah, Padang Panjang. He routinely advises Randai groups all over West Sumatra who seek out his expertise and wisdom. He is a highly sought after performer of saluang (flute) and dendang (singing). Over the past few years he has made several recordings of saluang (flute) music under the label of “Cimpago Record” from Padang. He is still actively practicing silat (martial arts) and holds the position of manager of the West Sumatra branch of IPS I (Ikatan Pencak Silat Indonesia – the Pencak Silat Association of Indonesia). Mr. Dahrizal was guest artist-in-residence for the 2001 University of Hawai’i Asian Theatre Randai production. Following this residency he began teaching classes in randai, silat, and Minangkabau philosophy at Andalas University in Padang, West Sumatra. Mr. Dahrizal is also a lecturer on faculty at Padang University .

Jasrial Jamaluddin
Dancer, Musician, and Composer of Traditional Minang Music

Jasrial Jamaluddin is a professional and accomplished musician and composer. He has won many prestigious awards as performer and composer and is the leader of one of the most successful traditional Minangkabau music ensembles in West Sumatra. In 2002 Mr. Jamaluddin participated with the wellrenouned Randai ensemble, Palito Nyalo, in the nationwide traditional drum festival, Festival Gendang Nusantara, as invited by Indra Catri, head of department of Culture and Tourism, West Sumatra branch. In 2003 Jamaluddin helped to organize and produce a Randai Festival that was facilitated by the ensemble Palito Nyalo. Jamaluddin was the organizations secretary for the event. This event included participants from fourteen cities in West Sumatra. Mr. Jamaluddin is also an active composer and musician, participating in festivals throughout Sumatra. As a participating musician and composer, he was recognized as top performer at the Festival Pekan Budaya (Arts & Culture Festival) in Padang, West Sumatra in 2004 and 2005. In 2007 he participated as a composer in the Baralek Gadang festival at the Taman Budaya (Cultural Centre) representing the province of West Sumatera. Mr. Jamaluddin continues to be an active randai performer participating in performances throughout Sumatra and in neighboring island Java. Mr. Jamaluddin’s family has a strong lineage of Randai performers. As a dedicated teacher and mentor, he continues his father’s and grandfather’s work by teaching the younger generations the art of randai and silat (martial arts) with the ensemble Palito Nyalo (Bright Light) from Padang, West Sumatra.

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