The convergence of arts enraptured the hearts of about 300 audience and enlivened the evening at UTAR Kampar Campus. The “Yi Chuan 2.0 (艺川 2.0) – River of Art Concert” encompassed arts of modern and traditional origins at the Heritage Hall on 3 April 2024, transpiring applauses and cheers among the lively crowd.

As the spiritual successor to the first “Yi Chuan” event held in September 2023, “Yi Chuan 2.0 – River of Art Concert” brought talented individuals from UTAR together to celebrate the art of movement and rhythm. With a variety of singing and dancing styles, the concert aimed to showcase the versatility and creativity of the participating artists.

As the night fell, the hall, filled with attendees yearning for a dynamic and euphonic experience, began to liven up with chatter and laughter. Greeting them were an assortment of exciting performances, integrated with diverse disciplines of arts, including lion dance performance, street dance, K-pop dance, Chinese pop song performances, hip-hop performances, band performances, traditional Chinese stage play, and Chinese dance performance. The echoes for encores reverberated throughout the hall, as the talented individuals from UTAR worked their magic, making the cultural night a sensational experience for the music and art lovers.

Another exciting event was the lucky draw session, which drew the attention of the audience for a fun contest of luck.

Showing admiration towards the committee members’ unwavering spirit, UTAR Vice President for Student Development and Alumni Relations Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong enthused, “I am very proud of UTAR students because the committee members managed to organise such a wonderful event in only six to seven weeks. It is an important aspect because the committee members had to put in a lot of hard work and dedication, which cannot be learned in the classroom. The performances that will be presented afterwards show the growth mindset of UTAR students. We can learn a lot of things through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media nowadays, but they do not guarantee a good outcome. Nonetheless, this concert shows that UTAR students can achieve the outstanding outcomes that they wish to obtain. Thank you to the committee members, student helpers and the sponsors for making this event possible for the Kampar community.”

Excited for the continuation of the first “Yi Chuan” event, Mr Jayden Ho Yong Jie, the Chairperson of “Yi Chuan 2.0 – River of Art Concert” said, “Our theme ‘Yi Chuan’ represents the convergence of river of art. The river of art from different places, cultures, stories and voices eventually converge here to form an ocean under our cruise ship, giving us the opportunity to be able to enjoy this moment of cultural exchange together. Yi Chuan is more than a concert; it is a beacon of unity and a celebration of the world’s boundless cultural landscapes. Let the music and performances tonight remind us of our shared humanity and the incredible richness that lies in our differences.”

Also present at the concert were “Yi Chuan 2.0 – River of Art Concert” Stage Director Ms Alison Yoon, UTAR Department of Soft Skills Competency (DSSC) of Kampar Campus Lecturer Ms Mah Siew Huei, representative of Kuala Kubu Bharu Kuan Yin Kerk Temple (新古毛新村观音阁) Mr Lee Yoon Heng, representative of Glitzy Glamz Ms Lee Wan Chien, representatives of the concert’s sponsors, committee members, UTAR staff and students.