Malay wedding ceremony brought to life with vibrant dance performance

Live, Laugh, Lor brings together all of Singapore’s institutions of higher learning for the first time in a vibrant four‑night collaboration with the Singapore Night Festival, celebrating the heartbeat of contemporary Singaporean identity. The photo showcases student dancers from Ilsa Tari, the Malay dance group from NUS. They brought the traditional Malay wedding ceremony Adat Bersanding to life, complete with expressive customs, lively kompang rhythms, and playful rituals that honour love, blessings, and the richness of Malay heritage.

Ilsa Tari is a beginner‑friendly Malay dance group from NUS. Its name is derived from the word Asli—meaning “native”—reflects a bold reimagining of Malay dance that embraces radical creativity while honouring cultural roots. Drawing from traditional Malay dance vocabulary, Ilsa Tari explores contemporary themes and highlights prevailing social issues, pushing the boundaries of expression, innovation, and modernity within the art form.