Kilat Kan Silat' is driven by the desire to celebrate and bring awareness to the power and beauty of the martial art Silat Tua. This ancient and powerful art form, which has deep roots in the culture and traditions of Southeast Asia, is celebrated in a new light, as a contemporary dance film. Through this film, we aim to showcase Silat Tua as a contemporary art form, highlighting the fluidity, grace, and strength of its practitioners.
Inspired by the etymology of the word ‘Kilat’, which could be read as either ‘lightning’ or ‘shining’, Kilat Kan Silat endeavours to bring the practice into the spotlight, shining a light on its beauty. Our goal is to create a visual representation of the beauty of Silat Tua, using modern film techniques to highlight the artistry and skill of its practitioners.
We believe that this project has the potential to not only bring recognition to the practice of Silat Tua, but also to inspire others to appreciate and celebrate the cultural richness of Singapore and the wider Nusantara region.
Commissioned by the National Museum of Singapore and Maybank Foundation for the Intangible Cultural Heritage Award.
