Music and performance have long been powerful in building community, preserving heritage, and inspiring change. Once an understated presence in the NUS arts scene, NUS Dikir Barat has steadily grown, gaining recognition on campus, across universities, and on the national stage.
Dikir Barat, a dynamic art form blending poetry, movement, and rhythmic ensemble singing, is at the heart of this transformation. Established in 2017 under the NUS Malay Language Society (PBMUKS), NUS Dikir Barat — comprising Adisiswa (male team) and Nuswidya (female team) — has gradually expanded its reach. In February 2025, they marked a major milestone by becoming an independent co-curricular activity (CCA) under the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), a step that provides them with more structure and opportunities within the university.
Through cross-varsity collaborations, national performances, and media exposure, NUS Dikir Barat is keeping this traditional art form relevant and growing within the student community.
Creating a united university Dikir Barat community
NUS Dikir Barat took the lead to organise DK UNIverse, a gathering of varsity Dikir Barat teams from NUS, NTU, and SIT. The inaugural session involved the male teams.
To strengthen the varsity Dikir Barat scene, NUS Dikir took the lead to launch DK UNIverse in December 2024, aimed at fostering collaboration The male Dikir Barat teams from NUS, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) met first, followed by a gathering with the female teams in February 2025.
“The idea behind DK UNIverse was to create a space where varsity Dikir Barat teams could gather outside of a competition setting. We wanted to show that Dikir Barat is more than just competition — it’s about community, passion, and keeping the art form alive,” explained NUS Dikir Barat president, Zikri Hakimi Bin Abdul Wahid, a Year 4 Mechanical Engineering student.
NUS Dikir Barat hopes to make DK UNIverse an annual event, and eventually expand participation to include other tertiary teams.
A follow-up session, DK UNIverse 2.0, was held for the varsity female Dikir Barat teams from NUS, NTU, and SIT.
Expanding visibility through competition and performances
Beyond community-building, NUS Dikir Barat is proving its artistic and competitive strength through high-profile performances and competitions.
At Piala Suara Serumpun 2024, a Mediacorp-broadcasted Dikir Barat competition, NUS Dikir Barat competed as a full squad for the first time. Adisiswa, the male team, secured third place in the Senikata (lyrics) category, standing out among 20 tertiary teams. This achievement showcased their ability to balance rigorous academics with artistic excellence, all while performing on a national stage.
Adisiswa, the male team of NUS Dikir Barat, clinched third place in the Senikata (lyrics) category of Piala Suara Serumpun 2024.
Another defining moment came in mOSAic 2025, a signature cultural festival at NUS. This performance was particularly symbolic, as it marked the team’s debut as an official student group under OSA.
Both performances helped propel NUS Dikir Barat into the public eye, with increasing recognition from students, faculty, and external audiences.
NUS Dikir Barat put up an energetic performance at mOSAic Fest marking their debut as a new student group.
Redefining arts at the crossroads
As NUS Dikir Barat continues to push creative boundaries, their next major performance at NUS Arts Festival 2025, Ketipak Ketipung Raya!, will celebrate Hari Raya through a dynamic pop-up concert.
This special collaboration between NUS Dikir Barat, NUS Ilsa Tari (Malay dance), and NUS Silat brings together music, movement, and tradition in a vibrant showcase of Malay heritage. The title, Ketipak Ketipung Raya!, echoes the lively beats of traditional Malay percussion, reflecting the spirit of festivity and togetherness during Hari Raya.
Aligned with this year’s NUS Arts Festival theme, Crossroads, the performance highlights how various Malay art forms intersect and evolve. Adding to its uniqueness, it will take place at UTown Plaza, an unconventional venue for performing arts, reinforcing how traditions can be reimagined in new spaces.
By bringing Dikir Barat, dance, and silat into this open and contemporary setting, NUS Dikir Barat continues to redefine cultural performance, ensuring that Malay heritage remains dynamic, relevant, and engaging for modern audiences.
Looking Ahead
As NUS Dikir Barat continues to expand its reach, its members remain committed to strengthening the university Dikir Barat scene while inspiring new student leaders to step forward.
"Our vision is to continue growing and solidifying our presence in the NUS community. We want to highlight Dikir Barat’s rich cultural heritage, its artistic depth, and how it can be pursued alongside academic excellence," said Zikri.
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