Xīnnián Kuàilè

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year, we welcome the Year of the Rabbit 2023! 

 

In Chinese culture, the rabbit is the luckiest of the 12 zodiac animals, as it symbolises longevity, peace and prosperity. 

 

The Chinese of yore believed a rabbit lived on the moon. This follows the legend of the Jade Rabbit who is the companion of Chang-e, goddess of the moon. In fact, the Rabbit is often depicted as preparing the elixir of life for the Chinese Immortals. 

 

Anyway, "Xīnnián kuàilè" (新年快乐)! 

 

Award-winning Malaysian filmmaker Chong Keat Aun is ushering in the Lunar New Year with his fifth directed Chinese New Year folk music video, “Echoes of the New Year”. 

 

Filmed at the green paddy fields of Sekinchan in Selangor, the five-minute-30-second MV showcases the folk arts of Hakka, Cantonese, Hainanese, Teochew and Hokkien as well as the Peranakan communities. 

 

The MV also includes an array of cultural elements from sape to cak lempong, dragon and lion dance, Chinese opera, 24 festive drums, Chinese zithers and more. 

 

Produced by SunStrong Entertainment in collaboration with Janji Pictures, Southern Islet Pictures and The Classic Accents, the MV opens with a classic poem which gives a sense of renewal and hope following two years of hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

 

The props seen in the music video such as kuku kambing (traditional crowbar), millstone, bakul siah (auspicious basket), porcelain plates and paper windmill are real artefacts that belong to the elderly in different communities. 

 

The music video is performed by Sung Fong Meng Cantonese Opera as well as the Penang Teochew Puppet and Opera House. They are joined by Hainanese opera actress Mah Ah Mooi, singer Winnie Ho, Kun Seng Keng Dragon and Lion Dance Selangor, Souls Impact Percussion, Klang Pin Hwa High School Drum Team and Rithaudin.

 

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The Golden Horse Awards winner is known for his works in the preservation of traditional arts and culture, after having spent 18 years documenting local oral traditions of different Chinese dialects and sharing these stories with the larger community. 

 

A good initiative because the new generation gets to know that in addition to the popular Chinese New Year songs we hear today, there is also folk music which has been part of our communities for centuries. 

 

Besides, preserving traditional arts and culture should be encouraged.