EVEN when he was working in an office job, the dikir barat artist named Supian Hassan, 56, has created more than 500 songs throughout his time practicing the generational art.
"I have been involved in this art since 1990," said the popular "pendikir" born in Kampung Dalam Rhu in Tumpat, Kelantan.
Recently, Sufian launched an anthology book containing 100 selected dikir barat lyrics, called Lirikku Lukisan Jiwaku.
The book, published by Pustaka Dewan Puisi (PDP), is remarkable for its uniqueness.
Sufian, who admitted that he 'learned through experience', is also known as Supian Hanuman Ikan, because of his previous job at the Malaysian Fish Development Board.
"In the past, dikir barat was not my main job," he said. "Today, like a sleepy person propped up by a pillow, I became a teacher for my old team."
Before devoting full attention to his art, Supian was also an assistant youth and sports officer under the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
For those not familiar with dikir barat, it is a popular traditional art in the state of Kelantan that involves a chorus singing guided by a spontaneous debate in the style of pantun.
A dikir barat team consists of a leader called Tok Jogho (or Tok Joro), a Tukang Karut as a composer of improvised lyrics, musicians and a group of Awak-Awak, which is a line of chorus singers who will clap their hands according to the artistic direction of the team leader.
Sufian moved to be a part of Awak-Awak while continuing to create songs for performances.
When it reached a certain level, Sufian said again, "For the performance, I put it aside first to focus on writing, and this is what forged my name until today".
This artist’s passion for the art of dikir barat is due to its lyricism and rhythm. "[It is] the harmony of the music, with (the combination of) Awak-Awak and Tok Jogho's melodious voices," he explained.
It is enough just to see the performance of the famous dikir barat artists "such as Salleh Jambu with his desert beats, Daud Bukit Abal with his regional songs, Aripin Ana with his Makyong, Jusoh Kelong with his Arabic melodies – the sound of the tambourine entertains me."
Supian is fascinated by the diverse approaches of the dikir barat by these performers. It was they who pushed him to approach this art form; some of them also gave him knowledge directly.
According to Supian's own understanding of the art of writing and creating dikir barat songs, he says that it does not run far from producing poems.
"I am involved with Persatuan Penulis Tumpat (Pesisir) and while others write poems and short stories, I write songs," he said. "The rhythm (of dikir barat) is akin to pantun. If you can create pantun, then you can perform dikir."
What are the challenges he faces as a composer? Sufian said, "The reception of the artist to the song created. For example, out of a hundred songs that I gave to Megat Nordin, maybe only one was taken!”
He also admitted that the initial payment for his work was not commensurate with his efforts.
"I get paid RM20 for the lyrics of my dikir barat song, but a pop song at the same time might be bought for RM500!" After this issue was brought up, new artists such as Mat Glamour began to appear.
Sufian remembers the arrangement of the previous performance. Have you ever seen the two types of dikir barat performances – in a row and arranged in a circle?
"Usually, dikir barat performances that are lined up are due to recording or the presence of cameras. From the very beginning, the TV network RTM usually organises it that way," he said.
"Barat dikir performed in a circle is the initial arrangement of the performance. This is more relaxed. Following tradition, the group will indeed turn their backs on the audience.
“In the past, our clothes were ordinary, but now we want to be more appealing, we wear uniforms. Now there are different styles!”
The performance is beautified by the beat of the rebana ibu and arrangements by the group's choreographer.
When asked about the basic skills needed by a dikir practitioner, Sufian said, "The Tukang Karut must be skilled in poetry. Two people can play this role at a time – one who poses the pantun, the other answers the pantun. There are also those who sings the dikir in threes or fours."
Sufian used to pass on his knowledge to new singers and Tok Jogho. However, he said, "It is not easy to become a Tukang Karut – often they have a natural talent (which cannot be taught)."
According to him, young people’s reception towards dikir barat is still good. "On average, those who are close to me are young pendikir, some also accompany the more experienced pendikir."
Supian intends to continue supporting this art for the rest of his life. "Despite its rise and fall, new dikir barat artists will continue to exist, but it will be a loss if they don't contribute to the art," he said.
"Traditional elements of dikir barat should be preserved, not 'die out' in the wave of modern music. But it's more important for everyone – no matter where they're from – to know what a dikir barat performance looks like."
Talking about his achievements throughout his career such as the 2006 Cultural Activist Award, he said, "My appearance in the press is more for other people, not me. Many people don't know that dikir barat groups have a lyricist.
"The average person thinks it was the Tok Jogho who wrote the lyrics. I would say that 80% of Tok Jogho can't write lyrics.
"There are many more songs in my storage that I still haven't put to paper yet," said Sufian. "I don't have 'quiet time' – if I finish work early in the office, I can prepare a song in half an hour!"
The awarding of Adiguru Cendana is seen as something fitting, he said, "This programme cannot stop here. For me, what I have now I want to pass on even though I am old." – The Vibes, February 25, 2023
Supian Hassan is the recipient of the second phase Adiguru fund in the art of dikir barat. The Adiguru Cendana programme is conducted in collaboration with Pusaka
