The Taikuh Jikang group combines music, dance and shadow play in its show.

The performers include Kohey Kawamura (gamelan, shadow work), Tokuhisa William and Junko Sato (voice), Go Arai (violin) and AyA (bass).

Group leader Kawamura began his creative work while still in college. In 2003, he studied in Bali on a scholarship funded by the Indonesian government. When he returned to Tokyo, he formed Taikuh Jikang.

William, on the other hand, seeks to explore the potential of vocal expressions. His vocal style ranges from ethnic styles such as the Mongolian overtone singing and Iranian (Persian) tahrir, to the “death growl” of metal music. He also leads a pop band.

AyA has collaborated with many artistes, mainly from the field of noise avant-garde and free-jazz. She has also experimented with African music, Indian ragas and the gamelan.

For its upcoming show, Taikung Jikang will work with well-known Malaysian musician M. Kamrulbahril Hussin of the Music Faculty at the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage .

The show combines Malaysian musical instruments including the gendang, rebana, rebab,  serunai, and the wayang kulit puppets with Taikuh Jikang’s unique interpretation.

The Taikuh Jikang Southeast Asian Project, presented by The Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur and The Actors Studio, will be held at The Actors Studio @ Lot 10 (Roof top, Level 8, Lot 10 Shopping Centre, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur).

Tickets are priced at RM35 and RM25 (for students, the disabled, TAS cardmembers and JFKL members). Call The Actors Studio @ Lot 10 at 03-2142-2009/ 03-2143-2009, KLPac @ Sentul Park, 03-4047-9000 or ILasso Tickets 03-7957-6088 (www.ilassotickets.com).