'Putera'

featuring

 Ng Kean Heng, Nutavut Ratanakarn and Adam Khan

9 December 2008, 8.30 pm

Tuanku Abdul Rahman Auditorium, Malaysia Tourism Centre, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur

1. Arrival of Her Highness Princess Dara Naquiah Tuanku Ja'afar 

2. The VVIPs having a chat and drink before the concert in MTC's VIP room next to the auditorium. 

3. The performers came into the VIP room to greet the princess before the concert. This photo was presented to the princess in a beautiful Selangor Pewter photo frame after the concert.

          4. Escorting the Princess and all the VVIPs into the auditorium as the Princess's entry is announced. 

5. What a lovely smile...

  6. The Royal Box with His and Her Royal Highnesses. 

 7. Ernest Thomas, MC extraodinaire for the night

The first performer for the night, Ng Kean Heng, of Malaysia, in his first-ever professional concert

Our second performer, Nutavut Ratanakarn, from Thailand

Interval

14. The audience crowding round our counter looking at our books and Savarez strings as well as Nutavut's CDs (unfortunately, Adam left his CDs back in London) on sale.  

15. Simon and Evelyn Cheong with our VVIPs having a cup of coffee during the break.  

16. Here are two lovely ladies manning the counter.

The final performer for the night , Adam Khan

I was having problems finding a name for this concert and it was Adam's special identity that inspired me to name this concert 'Putera' which is a Malay word that means 'prince'. Adam is also a prince. His title is Prince Adam Khan of Hunza.  And in this concert, as with all the Society's professional concerts, I try my best to include a Malaysian angle to it. So with Ng Kean Heng giving his first ever professional concert, I decided to make my arrangement of Putra Putri, a guitar quartet,  into a solo piece for him to play  in his debut. 'Putra Putri' means 'Prince and Princess'. Everything came together when Princess Dara agreed to be the 'guest of honour' - and her guests were also princes and princesses, gracing the evening with a royal presence.  

Next year's concert will not have a problem with a title as it will be named 'CGS International Guitar Festival and Camp 2010'

20. Three pretty girls in a row, getting ready to give the bouquets to the President, Simon Cheong, for the Princess to present to the performers as a token of appreciation for their lovely performance.

21. Ng Kean Heng receiving his bouquet from the Princess.

22. Nutavut with his bouquet. 

23. Last but not least, Adam Khan receiving his bouquet.

24. The President, Simon Cheong, presenting Her Highness with a lovely bouquet.

25. from left - Evelyn Cheong, Princess Naquiah and Simon Cheong.

26. The Princess presented with a meaningful souvenir, a Selangor Pewter photo frame with pix of the Princess & the performers, Simon & Evelyn - taken just before the concert. 

27. A final photo on stage - the ending of the evening's proceedings.

28. The VVIPs right after the concert with the organizers and friends 

29. Recounting the concert on the way to the car. 

30. Escorting the Princess to her car after the concert.

31. Ernest and his lovely wife, Felicia. Nutavut was gracious to give Felicia his bouquet, making her night.         

32. The President and his wife outside MTC, with the majestic Twin Towers as backdrop. What a beautiful backdrop!

33. The Society doing their part in giving a meaningful evening to the children of the Sunbeam Home & Ti-Ratana, exposing them to a professional concert as well as appreciation of the arts. These orphans were on their best behaviour and were totally appreciative. 

34. Phew...now for a relaxing dinner (more like supper!) after the concert.