Selangor Sultan to launch Royal Keris Exhibition

Sharing thoughts: Raja Arshad (third from left) chatting with Muzaffar (second from left) at the media briefing at Sunway Putra Hotel. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: An exhibition to highlight the craft of keris will begin next month as part of efforts to preserve the cultural marker.

The Royal Keris Exhibition, which takes place at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, will run from Dec 2 till March 13 next year.

It marks the first collaborative effort between Yayasan Raja Muda Selangor (YRMS) and the museum.

Visitors to the exhibition will learn about the illustrious history of keris, from its origins to its legendary reputation throughout the years.

“There will be a showcase of 94 keris, including 59 from the personal collection of Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, in addition to other artefacts from the museum,” said YRMS chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda.

“This exhibition is to create awareness and to highlight the keris as a cultural marker of the Malay world,” he said yesterday.

It will be launched by the Sultan of Selangor on Dec 1.

The exhibition, which is divided into six sections, will feature educational programmes, including events and workshops on keris- making techniques, talks and demonstrations by keris experts.

Raja Arshad said the exhibition was held in conjunction with the “Talent For The World: Young Keris Makers” programme, in which three aspiring youths were chosen to learn the trade under the guidance of five renowned keris makers from Terengganu and Pahang.

“These three ambitious youths will showcase each of their handcrafted keris at the exhibition,” he added.

The plan, he said, was to preserve the art of keris-making by passing the knowledge to younger generations so that the craft could live on.

Muzaffar Mohd Zafri, 33, a participant of the programme, said the art of keris had been forgotten among youths of his generation.

“Most young people, including those in my own social circle, see the keris as just a weapon, but it is much more than that. It has its own philosophy and serves as a cultural emblem.

“Thanks to this initiative, young people like myself got the opportunity to experience and learn the noble craftwork of keris,” he said.