Nobat
The Nobat or Royal Musical Ensemble is a form of traditional Malay music. It is considered as part of the royal regalia. The Nobat only plays on special occasions like the installation of the Sultan or King and his birthday.
The word nobat originates from the Persian word “naubat” which means nine types of instruments. Currently, only Terengganu, Kedah, Perak and Selangor have a nobat ensemble each, with different instrumentation by state.
There will be six musical instruments used – the gendang negara or large drum, gendang ibu, gendang anak, serunai (flute/clarinet), nafiri or trumpet and caklempong (small gong). A velvet covered regalia piece like a mace or sceptre, Nahara drums and a medium mounted gong is used in the Kedah ensemble, Perak and Selangor have the same instrumentation and the Terengganu ensemble includes not only the flute, medium drums and trumpet but the Gendang Negara/Saku kettle drum and a set of clash cymbals.
During the installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Nobat will play the PaluPalu Melayu tune as the royal regalia is being brought into the Balairong Seri (throne room). The other songs to be played would be Iskandar, Ibrahim Khalil and Seri Istana.
A Mahaguru is the leader and conductor of the Nobat and takes full charge of the musicians under him and also on the care and maintenance of the instruments used.
Read more about this topic: Royal Regalia Of Malaysia