22/05/2025

LYFE THURSDAY | MAY 22, 2025 26 Celebrating Kollywood’s excellence P ENANG’S Setia Spice Arena transformed into a slice of Kollywood (the Tamil language film industry) last o Penang event honours Tamil cinema

Indonesian composer breathes new life into Tanpa Cinta

RENOWNED Indonesian composer Yovie Widianto has reintroduced his popular song Tanpa Cinta in a new version, performed by the talented Tiara Andini. According to Yovie, the collaboration rekindles his partnership with the singer after having worked together last year, and he specifically chose Tiara to sing this latest rendition of Tanpa Cinta . “The song tells the story of a person who is heartbroken because of unreciprocated love. It reflects the struggle to move on and accept the reality,” he said in a statement released by Universal Music Malaysia. Yovie also expressed hopes that the song will not only bring back

memories of the original version but also offer a new meaning to today’s generation as they face the realities of love. Tiara, meanwhile, expressed her excitement about being part of the project, describing the song as a special piece. She added that it did not take long for her to accept Yovie’s invitation. The musical arrangement of Tanpa Cinta retains its original elements while giving it a breath of fresh air. The music video features a theatrical concept with artistic visual direction by Prialangga. The song, which Yovie first popularised in 2009, is now available on all streaming platforms. – Bernama

Saturday during the 17th Edison Awards, an annual event recognising the industry’s legendary and emerging talents. From the moment the red carpet rolled out at 5pm, fans were treated to a dazzling parade of Kollywood’s biggest names, among them being Premam actress Madonna Sebastian, Kushboo Sundar who has acted in over 185 films, acclaimed choreographer Baba Baskar, Santhosh Kumar (also known as Sandy Master) and director Venkat Prabhu. However, the night truly belonged to actress Simran Rishi Bagga, the evergreen heroine of the late 1990s and early 2000s, who received the Golden Empress of Tamil Cinema award. Simran’s recent comeback in Good Bad Ugly rekindled her on-screen chemistry with the film’s lead actor Ajith Kumar. The two have paired up in successful movies such as Vaali (1999), Aval Varuvaala (1998) and Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven (2000). At the recent Edison Awards, the 49-year-old actress proved once again why she remains a fan favourite. The six-hour event honoured excellence across more than 30 categories, recognising the contributions of Kollywood directors, musicians, choreographers and technicians. Among those who received awards were Sakthi Sree Gopalan (Best Female Playback Singer), Venkat Prabhu (Best Director for GOAT ) and Sandy Master (Best Dance Choreographer). Adding his signature humour to the mix was crowd-favourite Red Kingsley who took home the Best Comedian award, while Ananth Ram

High-profile stars at the event include veteran actress Simran. – PIC FROM INSTAGRAM @EDISONAWARDS

excitement is set to continue with fan events in place to immerse her community, the “Noodles”, in the world of the single. Following the success of her critically acclaimed single Napoleon Complex , which was featured on multiple New Music Friday playlists across Southeast Asia, Neriah shows no signs of slowing down. She continues to build on this momentum, solidifying her place as a rising force in the pop scene. With an EP on the horizon, anticipation is steadily growing. While the artiste is keeping the details under wraps for now, whispers are already circulating as fans eagerly speculate on what’s to come. Fans can look forward to the release of the official visualiser for Out Of Your League dropping tomorrow. global profile as a destination for cultural diplomacy and creative tourism. “The Edison Awards, (as) I have been told, is a prestigious platform that celebrates legendary and emerging talents in Tamil cinema. Over the years, it has honoured icons such as Vijay, Dhanush, Simbu and Vikram, as well as rising stars such as Sivakarthikeyan and Anirudh. Now that Kollywood has arrived in Penang, I sincerely hope this is just the beginning. Perhaps next, we can welcome Bollywood to our beautiful island too,” he said in his speech. Also present were Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai and state Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo. – Bernama

RISING artiste Neriah has returned with Out of Your League , a bold pop number that speaks to female empowerment and owning your inner confidence. Flirty, funny and a little bit petty, Out of Your League sees the Los Angeles native reminding us what it means to know your worth and be in a league of your own. With guitar riffs and a razor-sharp sense of humour, the track is sure to get hearts racing and heads turning. She said: “This song makes me feel like me again – confident, sassy and fully over it. I lost myself in that relationship but thank God we are back!” Out of Your League has already been well received by fans – new and old – across social media and during Neriah’s recent live performances on tour with Daniel Seavey. The was named Best Debut Director. Meanwhile, 74-year-old veteran actor YG Mahendran was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The event was elevated by dance and music performances, along with a fashion showcase by Malaysian artistes, making it a celebration of Kollywood and local talent. Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who officiated the event, said hosting such a prestigious ceremony aligned with the Penang2030 vision to diversify the state economy, strengthen creative industries and establish Penang as a leading hub for arts, culture and innovation. He described the event as not only a celebration of artistic excellence but also a platform to elevate Penang’s

Yovie (left) and Tiara give a fresh interpretation to an evergreen classic. – UNIVERSALMUSICMALAYSIAPIC Labit pays tribute to roots with Mangoes and Rice

A poignant love letter to the people and places that shaped him, Filipino-American singer Labit has released his latest single Mangoes and Rice to celebrate his identity, family and cultural pride. The single was released alongside a music video that serves as a love letter to the resilience of the Filipino-American experience, especially with balancing expectation and identity. The release of the single also came with the announcement that Labit’s upcoming album Sol is set for an Oct 10 release. Originally released to coincide with the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which is observed in the US, Mangoes and Rice’s themes of cultural identity, familial love and the search for belonging resonates far beyond American borders. With intimate storytelling that carries the confidence of someone embracing their roots, Labit reflects on what it means to grow up straddling two cultures –

Neriah drops flirty tune

Malaysia is in seventh place among Labit’s top 10 streaming markets. capturing the experience of many young Southeast Asians raised between worlds. The single comes following Labit’s recent breakout single Cleaning Out the Fridge , which earned placements on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists across Asia, including the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

Neriah is based in Los Angeles.