By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, Nov 25: Bidayuh Artistes and Musicians Association of Sarawak (Bama) president Dr Alim Impira has advised Budayuh artistes and musicians to focus on their career seriously so as to achieve international fame.
“Our main aim is to improve the Bidayuh music industry beyond the shores of Sarawak to reach the international level, just like the Gang Nam style of South Korea (referring to “Oppa Gangnam Style” by South Korean artiste Psy) even though we may not understand the lyrics.
“And to reach that level, our artistes and musicians must work really hard because so far none of our singers have reached international level yet,” Alim told DayakDaily at the Ngarum Lagu Bidayuh 2018 (NLB’18) awards event held at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) multi-purpose hall here on Saturday.
He also emphasised that in order to expand the Bidayuh music industry, Bama needed financial aid from the government.
“Music is supposed to unite the people, irrespective of whether you are in the opposition or from the government. We must come together. That’s it,” he reckoned.
Alim also hoped that future NLB would offer not just trophies but cash and incentives, too.
“The prizes for the winners tonight are just trophies. If possible, in the upcoming NLB, we would like to give cash as well as incentives to the winners, including giving the winners the opportunity to take up music courses, perhaps. This is what we want to do,” he said.
Meanwhile, Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin also urged Bidayuh artistes and musicians to pursue their music career seriously.
At the function, he announced a grant of RM20,000 for Bama.
At the gathering, former Miss World Malaysia Dewi Liana Seriestha was presented with Bama’s Special Award as she had made the Bidayuh community proud by being the first from the community to achieve international fame.
The NLB’18 Best Male category was won by Cornelius Lim, while for Best Female Category, it was won by Carrie Geres.
Other winners are: Vital Sign Record winning the Best Album Award, Raynorld Sigay (Best Song), Mezzavoce (Best Duo/Group Vocal Award), Michael Gayut (Best Performer), Juliet Tan (Best Music Video), Gideon Lanyun (Best Music Arrangement), Rozzi Chilli (Best Album Cover), Michael Gayut (Best Pop Song), Cornelius Lim (Best Ballad Song), Mezzavoce (Best Rock Song), Julian Evan (Best Hip Hop), Cornelius Lim (Best Single), Cornelius Lim (Best New Artiste), Cornelius Lim (Non-Bidayuh Artiste) and Jimmy Geres (Lifelong Achievement). — DayakDaily
