Kuala lumpur: Adi Shah Putra Noor Izwan previously spent much of his free time playing on his mobile phone for hours, but that routine has now changed after he was selected to participate in the Ilham Seni Diraja programme, opening a new chapter in his life.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Form Two student from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Desa Petaling expressed excitement about being part of the programme, initiated by Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia. He described the opportunity as a platform to develop his interest in singing under the guidance of professional instructors.
Expressing gratitude for being selected from among 200 students for the pilot project, the 14-year-old said that his participation has enabled him to learn vocal techniques not offered in school, free of charge, while also helping to boost his self-confidence. 'At least now, when there are choir practices, my free time is better utilised, whereas previously I spent a lot of time playing on my mobile phone at home. I am also an average student academically, and I have now found something that suits my interests,' he told Bernama, after the launch of the Ilham Seni Diraja Programme at the Dewan Santapan Utama, Istana Negara.
The inaugural initiative opens opportunities for the development of artistic talent and character-building among selected school students around Kuala Lumpur. It provides opportunities to students from the B40 group who show potential in the arts. Those identified will be exposed to creative workshops, mentoring sessions with professional instructors, and comprehensive exposure to cultural and creative arts, broadening their perspectives on the world of art.
Participation in the pilot project has been capped at 200 students to ensure more focused guidance and meaningful exposure throughout the programme. Genelia Wilson, a Form Two student of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Dato' Ibrahim Yaakub, Kepong, hopes the programme will inspire other B40 students to be brave enough to explore the arts. She mentioned that the experience has expanded her social circle and inspired confidence to continue expressing her creativity.
Iqram Khan Abdullah, a Form Two student of Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih (SBJK), Chow Kit, described his participation as an unexpected opportunity. He said, 'I never imagined being part of such a large choir and being taught by Datuk Syafinaz Selamat. it is truly an unexpected opportunity. This programme made me realise a talent that I never knew I had.'
Throughout the programme, participants will undergo training and learning across six main arts clusters, including the Voice and Instrument Cluster, Dance Cluster, Production and Stage Management Cluster, Artistic Cluster, Acting Cluster, and a social cluster - the Research and Counselling Guidance Cluster. The programme will culminate in a theatre performance scheduled for December.
Ilham Seni Diraja programme coordinator Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini stated that the initiative reflects Her Majesty's concern for nurturing the potential and character development of students from the B40 group. Azuan Effendy added that the programme is not only about discovering talent in singing or acting but also provides opportunities in other artistic fields, such as set design, graphics, and visual arts, while instilling discipline, commitment, and values of togetherness among the students.
Tan Sri Vincent Tan, one of the programme's sponsors, praised the initiative as an important platform that provides B40 students with opportunities to explore and develop their talents in the arts. He emphasized that it offers a more equitable platform for nurturing their talents and potential.