Page 108 - YBAM 50th Anniversary Souvenir Magazine
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Kaw Him from Muar, Johor compiled together with Venerable, among the by Taiwan and local folk songs, and the and viable in the 90s. During this period,
hundreds over hymns into a publication songs they composed together included overall style is similar to the local pop some of the notable albums were ‘Hui
called ‘Meditation Music Collection’. It ‘The Enthusiasm of Buddhist Youth’ which music. Deng’ and ‘Deng’ published by Tan Huat
was widely spread among the Buddhist is the anthem of the Taiping Buddhist Chye and Sunyata Singers, ‘Give Me Life,
community and was regarded as the Society Youth Circle. It was said that The above-mentioned albums received Give Me Love’ produced by YBAM Johor
‘textbook’ for group singing. At that time, Taiping Buddhist Society still retain some overwhelming support from Buddhist State Liaison Committee, ‘Chan Deng’
many hymns originated from Taiwan, for of the original hand-written composition organisations nationwide, especially produced by Venerable Chi Chern and
example ‘Prayer’ and ‘Inspiration from notes of Khoo Poh Kong. those involved in youth activities. Songs Chow Kam Leong, and ‘Auspicious Night’
Avalokitesvara’ by Venerable Master from these albums were used in almost and ‘Auspicious’ published by Buddha’s
Hsing Yun. The late 70s saw the rise of songs all the Buddhist youth camps organised at Light International Association (Malaysia
composed by youth. Until the 80s, they that time. Apart from that, ‘Yi Zhan Deng’ Chapter).
Besides, ‘May Buddha Bless You’ had already accumulated wealth of was so popular locally that it was even
composed by Kim Nain Hye who stationed experience. Songs such as ‘The Rhythm sold in Taiwan. However, just before the end of the 90s,
and propagated Dharma in Melaka, is also of Life’, ‘Brightness’, ‘The Ancient Temple’, the development of local Buddhist hymns
one of the top hits for group-singing hymns. and ‘Yi Zhan Deng’ were composed by In the late 70s Venerable Chi Chern underwent another transformation and
In view of the increasing number of choirs Pusat Buddhisma Kemanusiaan Melaka, started writing song lyrics with Khoo Poh evolution!
from various Buddhist organisations, Kelantan Buddhist Association Youth Kong, and Chow Kam Leong composed
Malaysian Buddhist Association started Section, Kuching Buddhist Fellowship, and the music. During the 80s, the Buddhist In 1999, the first ever Buddhist musical
organising Buddhist choirs competition Tan Huat Chye respectively. Publication hymns that they composed were widely theatre ‘Siddhartha The Musical’ was
in the 80s which further stimulated the of these albums not only marked a new sang and spread orally by the Buddhist produced by the Musical On Stage
development of Buddhist hymns. milestone for the development of local organisations. Some of the most popular Productions with Ho Lin Huay as the
Buddhist hymns, but it also gave a hymns were ‘Illumination of Wisdom’ director and Imee Ooi as the music
At the same time, Khoo Poh Kong from new lease of life to the development of and ‘Chan Deng Series’. The lyrics by composer and producer. The musical
Taiping was greatly inspired by the Buddhism in an unprecedented manner. Venerable Chi Chern brought a breath of theatre won a large round of plaudits.
Buddhist hymns composed by Venerable fresh air to the development of Buddhist
Master Hsing Yun. Hence, he started Buddhist hymns composed in the 80s hymns whereby he managed to incorporate Due to the wonderful remarks on
composing Buddhist hymns which were possess a few unique features: Dharma delicately into wonderful lyrics. ‘Siddhartha The Musical’, Musical On
sang in Dharma classes and youth 1) Use Music Instrument Digital Interface Coupled with the symphonious melody Stage Productions continued to produce
groups. His style was to write the lyrics (MIDI) in song compositions with electric from Chow Kam Leong, the songs more musical theatres, for example
and compose the music by himself. He drum as the main instrument. produced were melodious and rich in ‘Above Full Moon The Musical’ produced
also emulated the composition style of 2) Music tempo was rather slow and positive messages. At that time, these in 2004, ‘The Perfect Circle The Musical’
Venerable Hong Yi by including some melodic to bring out the solemn nature of songs were frequently performed in produced in 2005, and ‘Princess Wen
of the musical notes from the Western Buddhism and applied marching rhythm Buddhist camps and activities. Cheng The Musical’ produced in 2008.
traditional songs as well as filling in lyrics to express excited feeling. The essential
based on Buddhist teachings. Later, element of the melody was the tempo With the experiences gathered during Bodhi Buddhist Fellowship Malaysia
Venerable Chi Chern began to write smoothness. the 80s, the publication of Buddhist organised a refreshing ‘Praise the
lyrics and Khoo Poh Kong also worked 3) Song composition was influenced hymns albums became more common Tathagatas’ Buddhist Hymns Concert in
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50 YEARS OF DHARMA PRO PA GATION CO NTINUING THE MIS SION IN THE 5G ER A
