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| Balai Nobat |
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Balai Nobat (Hall of Drums)
 Balai Nobat belongs to the old Sultanate of Kedah. The Hall features the Nobat, the instruments of the royal orchestra. It comprises drums, gongs and a traditional flute. These instruments are played on special ceremonial occasions only. The musical skills of the Nobat are generally passed on from father to son.
Nobat not just famous in Malaysia but also famous in the world. Nobat or Naubat come from the combination of Sanskrit words, nau and nava that bring the meaning of nine and the word bah which means combine. So it means combination of nine different type of instrument.
The nine types of musical instruments are Nahara, two Gendang Besar, one Gong, one Nafiri, two serunai, two cheng cheng which made from bronze and there is one big cheng cheng and one small cheng cheng.
People believes that the tradition of Nobat comes from Parsi but those musical instruments being modified to suit the local musical instruments and those musical instruments that related to Hindu's religion. The music that produces by those nine musical instruments is very similar to Hindu's music. Because of this, 2 of the musical instruments were removed from the original combination.
 Due to the changes, the total number of musical instruments reduces from nine to only 6. Those six musical instruments that are still being use are Nahara, two Gendang Besar, one Gong, one Nafiri, one serunai and one cheng cheng.
The Nobat is the symbol of power and greatness for the kings at that time. It also represents the greatness of the art of Hindu.
The Nobat usually will be played during every Friday and every time before Muslims goes to pray. When the prince ascends the throne, the Nobat will also be played. During the funeral of the king, the Nobat will also being play in the funeral.
There are few famous songs that usually play with Nobat are Dang Gendang, Nobat Raja, Arak-arak, Raja Burung, Belayar, Gendang Perang, Mambang Berkayuh, Seratan, Bayat and Dewa Raja.
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