The Colors of Malaysia is a collection of road exhibitions that was first propelled in 1999 by the Ministry of Tourism to feature Malaysia’s tourism spots and in addition to grandstand Malaysia’s cultural legacy through music, song and dances.
The yearly occasion was first held at Dataran Merdeka with social exhibitions from each state. In 2004, the occasion moved to the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, keeping up the first Street Performance topic. The 2005 version was held at Stadium Merdeka while the 2006 release at Dataran Merdeka. In 2007, it was held at Putrajaya Boulevard before coming back to its original setting, Dataran Merdeka in 2009. In 2010, a Mega Dikir Barat peformance by 5,500 members has been given the award by the Malaysia Book of Records for the biggest number of members in a show. (“Mega Endang Citrawarna,”2013)
Every year, Citrawarna offers a different theme and performance concept to diversify tourists’ experience (Habullah,2016). No less than 5,000 participants dressed in their colourful best ethnic costumes will perform their home state’s traditional song and dance. The Peninsula is made up of Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, Negri Sembilan, Malacca, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan. Sabah, the Federal Territory of Labuan and Sarawak on the mystical island of Borneo, make up the rest of fascinating Malaysia.
Each state will have on procession the plain best of their individual culture, be it through dance exhibitions and cultural shows. Guests can hope to see many colors and to hear vibrating and throbbing traditional sounds from string instruments and drums. (“The Many Colors of Malaysia,”2003)