BUSKING: ART PERFORMANCE OR BEGGING ACT?

Wady (first at the back from right) with Caliph Buskers.

(Source: Berita DIMENSi/Abyana Aqilah)

KUALA LUMPUR - Busking is not only an act of playing music and instrument only, but the actual definition of busking is any kind of art performance held openly to gain tips and appreciation from the crowd itself.

Busking is also commonly mistaken for begging as they received money, food, drinks, or even gifts from the crowd after every performance they had.

Canang busker performing on the street at night.

(Source: Berita DIMENSi/Abyana Aqilah)

Busking is also commonly mistaken for begging as they received money, food, drinks, or even gifts from the crowd after every performance they had.

Since the government lifted the Movement Control Order (MCO), all premises needed to follow it and had no choice but to obey, many sellers had to close their shops and lost their source of income.

Soon after the MCO ended, buskers finally had their glory back as they could start performing for the crowd again but needed to go along with the rules and regulations.

According to Wady Hamdan, 47, the founding father of Malaysian Buskers Club (MYBC), roughly a full-time busker could gain around RM15,000 to RM20,000 a month.

Busking often takes place at many malls and open areas. It is one of the beauties of busking as it does not have a specific venue to enjoy one.

“We helped them enjoy our facilities, such as providing a place for them and giving them the best we can do,” said Wady Hamdan during an interview when contacted by Berita DIMENSi via Google Meet.

He said another beautiful thing about busking: there is no age limitation for people to busk. But the minimum age is that they have to be 18 years old.

Before the buskers were accepted into the organisation, they needed a urine test to ensure that the groups used no drugs.

“Society thought that many buskers came from a bad individual that is often involved in drug usage, but it is the other way around,” he added when interviewed by Berita DIMENSi via Google Meet.

In Malaysia, busking has become a trend daily as many people enjoy doing it, and when it comes to performing, there is no time limit.

The most beautiful thing about it is that they know how to attract and interact with the crowd without talking to them by busking.

Syafiq Aqimi, 22, student of University Sultan Zainal Abidin (Unisza) said people need to pay to watch a concert or any performance on a stage, meanwhile busking, you can enjoy the performance for free, and if you like it, you can give them money or a gift, but if you do not, you can just walk away.

“I like to watch buskers perfoming because it is a live event where people sing and dance on the roadside” said Syafiq during an interview when contacted by Berita DIMENSi via phone call.

People need to pay to watch a concert or any performance on a stage, meanwhile busking, you can enjoy the performance for free, and if you like it, you can give them money or a gift, but if you do not enjoy it, you can just ignore them.

There are so many more advantages and beauties of busking. It depends on the individual itself to unveil the actual colours of busking added Syafiq when interviewed by Berita DIMENSi via phone call.

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