Istana Budaya’s Lambang Sari Series Delights

ANN MARIE CHANDY | 19 September 2025

Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana wowed the crowds during the 'National Symphony Orchestra Goes Tarakucha!' last week at Menara KEN, TTDI. – Photo: Istana Budaya

IT was a night to remember at Menara KEN TTDI, Kuala Lumpur, when Istana Budaya’s Lambang Sari Series brought retro glamour back with National Symphony Orchestra Goes Tarakucha!

The one-night-only performance on Sept 13 turned The Platform into a time capsule of musical joy, as the audience clapped, swayed and sang along to a line-up of evergreen hits.

At the heart of the evening were Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana, brimming with charisma and chemistry, backed by the vibrant Tarakucha! band under the musical direction of Nish Tham. What truly elevated the show, however, was the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) under conductor Nasran Nawi. With more than 51 musicians filling the hall, every song felt richer, grander and more exhilarating.

It may have been a smaller stage, but that was big music filling the house that night!

The 17-song setlist, split into two lively segments, had something for everyone: Ku Impikan Bintang and Semalam, Latin standards like Begin the Beguine, and regional favourites such as the timeless Bengawan Solo. Audiences were also delighted by surprises, from the Chinese classic Waiting For Your Return (famously featured in Crazy Rich Asians) to Ida’s playful, interactive take on A.M. Rajah’s Tamil number Paatu Padava.

In true live-show spirit, Ida turned even a dress-and-heels mishap into a moment of laughter and applause. That warmth, combined with the easy rapport between singers and musicians, kept the night buzzing.

Full house of talent: Bobo-bred Tarakucha! band with go-to music director Nish Tham (back row, middle), Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana were a joy to watch in action. – Photo: FB

The 13-piece Tarakucha! ensemble added flair with strings, brass, percussion and rhythm – playful, punchy and a joy to watch. Though the Menara KEN stage was modest, clever lighting, staging and orchestral arrangement created a space that felt both intimate and grand.

By the time Last Dance (plus encores) rang out, the audience was on its feet – proof that Tarakucha! with the NSO had struck the perfect chord. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a celebration of music’s power to connect generations, rekindle memories and spread joy.

Laughter and music in equal measure from Nasran Nawi (right) and Sean.

The unlikely but wonderful union of BoboKL’s Tarakucha! band and the NSO began two years ago when Sean Ghazi invited Istana Budaya’s Director General, Puan Zubaidah Mukhtar, to see a show at Bobo entitled Bobo on Broadway.

Sean recalls: “I told her then that we could easily do this show with the Symphony Orchestra – and she shared the same vision. That idea eventually became Symphonic Broadway with Sean Ghazi & Friends last November. It opened the channel between BoboKL and the NSO, who still needed to deliver their concert series while Istana Budaya is being renovated.

“Last weekend’s show with the NSO and my big band Tarakucha! – which was incubated at Bobo – was the fulfilment of a long-time dream. I’ve always wanted Tarakucha to collaborate with a symphony, and we finally made it happen this month.”

Tham (on piano), a familiar presence at BoboKL, has been part of the Tarakucha! journey from the start, shaping its distinctive retro-big band sound.

Indeed, the concert also underscored how far the Lambang Sari Series (LSS) has come since its beginnings in 2018 as part of an Istana Budaya outreach programme. Post-pandemic, the LSS brand grew into an annual platform for larger-scale performances. This year alone has seen two concerts: Ravel at 150: A Symphony of Sound and Colour at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas in July, and the recent concert at Menara KEN.

Next up is When You Wish Upon A Star – A Symphonic Celebration, happening Oct 3 at ZEPP Kuala Lumpur, LaLaport BBCC. From Ravel to fairy tales and songs that generations have grown up with, the NSO seems game for anything – and that versatility is no accident.

“How we usually come up with the shows and repertoire for the year,” explains Sharifah Nadhirah Syed Faiz, NSO Manager, “is through discussions with the team and conductor. We aim to include at least one Western classical concert, something more contemporary for younger audiences, and always a touch of our cultural heritage — whether classic Malay film tunes, or Tamil and Chinese songs, like those you would have heard at the Tarakucha! show.

“At the end of the day, we want audiences to have a good time, discover new music and we want to uplift our local heritage as well.”

When You Wish Upon A Star, a one-night-only concert featuring timeless music from animated classics, will feature the 66-piece NSO under its newly appointed music director Eric Lee, with a stellar line-up of Bobo-familiar powerhouse vocalists including Elvira Arul, Mae Elliessa, Dasha Logan, Sean Ghazi, Ida Mariana, Tria Aziz and Izen Kong.

What can audiences expect? Sharifah Nadhirah offers: “Think songs of princes and princesses, fairy tales – a dreamy, magical concert for the whole family to enjoy.” Sean adds that you can experience “A Whole New World” of music where the “Circle Of Life” comes alive, every tale as old as time is retold, and you can truly “Let It Go!”

Tickets are priced at RM188, RM288, RM388 and RM488, available via Istana Budaya’s box office.

Discover more stories

See full list