The stillness of the rainforest will definitely be awakened by the rousing beat of the taiko drum.  This rousing beat of the Japanese drum will be presented by Hiroshi Motofuji (pic) at the July 11 to 13 Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) in Kuching.

A master of the taiko drum, Hiroshi is expected entice the festival goers with his outstanding technique, dynamic rhythm and innovative spirit.

Started playing the instrument at the tender age of 10, Hiroshi began his romance with the taiko drum when he joined a local taiko troupe and performed in many festivals all over Japan.

To enhance his skill, Hiroshi joined the Oedo Sukeroku Daiko when he was 15. The Oedo Sukeroku Daiko is a professional Tokyo-based taiko group and his participation in the group brought him to tour Japan and Europe.

In 1992 Hiroshi was awarded the title of Master of Taiko by Oedo Sukeroku Daiko and that title had also spurred the drum maestro to enhance his knowledge in performing with the instrument.

He went on to study Edo Hayashi and Korean percussion under the tutelage of various masters and at the same time, Hiroshi also formed a band called Musashi, the first rock band to use Japanese traditional instruments. While being the leader of Musashi, Hiroshi also composed and arranged the music for the band and they released two albums, besides touring USA and South America.

In 1999, Hiroshi formed another group called Da KT, a cutting-edge and urban taiko band.  Da KT also went on to tour Italy, Romania, Ukraine and Russia, providing Hiroshi with the international exposure as a renowned taiko drum performer.

A pioneer in the new style of taiko by infusing Japanese and Western music and instruments, Hiroshi was also featured on the soundtrack of the animated film Innocence that was released in 2004.  Innocence was one of the few animated films to be featured at the Cannes Film Festival.

Last year Hiroshi also did a hugely successful tour and workshops as solo taiko drummer in UK and Germany. Today, Hiroshi is widely acknowledged as one of Japan’s premier taiko drummers who had performed extensively outside of Japan.

And, he will be among the renowned performers who will take centre stage at the RWMF which will be showcased at the Sarawak Cultural Village.

The other performers who will be at the RWMF are Adel Salameh from Palestine/ Algeria, Beltaine (Poland), Cholo Valderrama (Colombia), Fadomorse (Portugal), Kasai Masai (Congo), New Rope String Band (UK), Oikyotaan (India), Pinikpikan (Philippines), Ross Daly (Greece), Shledon Blackman and the Love Circle (Tobago and Trinidad) and Yakande (Gambia/ Guinea).

The Pacific Asia Travel Association 2006 Gold Award winner, RWMF will also see the performances of local groups like Kan’id, Orkestra Anak Jati Sarawak and Sarawak Cultural Village.

Tickets priced at RM90 per day and RM250 for three days for adult and RM45 per day and RM100 for three days for children between three and 12 years old, are available online at www.ticketcharge.com.my.

Two other events held simultaneously with the festival are expected to add more value and experience to the already popular event. They are the Rainforest World Craft Bazaar (RWCB) and Folk Art Forum (FAF). The RWCB is organized by the Sarawak Craft Council in collaboration with Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), will to be held from July 9 to 15 at the Sarawak Cultural Village. It is expected to be participated by master craftsmen from various countries including from Sarawak, showcasing their unique crafts wares.

Craft making workshop will also be held at the RWCB, besides the exhibition and sales of the crafts. Inquiry on the RWCB can be made to crafthub@gmailc.om and muheidi@pc.jaring.my.

The art forum is more on showcasing works of renowned local and international artists. Organised by Galleria, the theme for the art forum is Our Culture, Our People.

To be held from July 9 to 11 at the Orang Ulu House at the Sarawak Cultural Village, the art forum is targeting at students and art enthusiasts. The FAF exhibition will be held from July 9 to 13 at the same venue.

Organised by STB, the festival is one of Malaysia’s best tourism icon and has been listed under the events to be promoted by Tourism Malaysia worldwide. RWMF has also been acknowledged as one of the top ten festivals by World Music Expo (Womex).

The festival is also supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia and Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism, Sarawak.

Details and update on RWMF 2008 are available on the festival website at www.rainforestmusic-borneo.com

Issued by:
RWMF 2008 Organising Committee
Sarawak Tourism Board
www.sarawaktourism.com
Tel: +6 082 423600 Fax: +6 082 416700