KUALA LUMPUR: RYTHM Foundation, Qi Group’s social impact initiative, launched Kala Vriksha: The Tree of Time, a captivating showcase of traditional music and dance at the Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia here today. RYTHM Foundation chairman Datin Seri Umayal Eswaran said the event was to support promising Malaysian artistes through scholarships and grants of RM150,000 for arts entities, affirming the foundation’s commitment to nurturing the country’s rich cultural heritage and creative future.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Umayal highlighted the need for more young people to embrace their culture and have a platform to showcase their talents. She mentioned that many local groups face financial constraints in staging performances, and the foundation aims to address this need while also raising awareness about Malaysia’s multicultural society. Currently, four schools are collaborating with the foundation, with plans to expand the network to at least eight schools.

Umayal shared that the Fine and Performing A
rts scholarships are aimed at Malaysian students excelling in visual arts, music, dance, theatre, and literature, helping those passionate about the arts but facing financial challenges. Earlier, Umayal in her speech encouraged everyone to foster an environment that supports artistic collaboration and innovation.

She further emphasized the importance of promoting each other’s programmes, sharing resources, and maintaining open platforms to enable young talents to thrive. This approach aims to help them sustain themselves in a competitive world while preserving cultural traditions.