A Standing Ovation for 20 Years: BOH Cameronian Arts Awards Marks Milestone Anniversary
Marking a monumental chapter in Malaysia’s cultural story, the 20th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards unfolded on 4 May 2025 at Stage 1 Theatre, Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC). The night celebrated two decades of unwavering dedication to the performing arts, bringing together the best of theatre, dance, music, and musical theatre. With the theme 20 Years of Legacy: Igniting Inspiration for Tomorrow, this year’s ceremony went beyond honouring talent—it paid tribute to the pioneers who built the nation’s creative foundation while embracing a vibrant future for the next generation of artists.
The evening was a dazzling showcase of Malaysian artistic brilliance. Productions such as Randai “MacBeth” and The Bee led the nominations in the Theatre category, with Randai “MacBeth” sweeping seven wins and standing out as a remarkable fusion of traditional form and contemporary storytelling. In the Dance category, the spotlight shone brightly on Geetha Shankaran-Lam, whose win for Best Featured / Lead Performer in Samskara – Past Reflections, Present Expressions at age 56 marked a triumphant testament to lifelong discipline and enduring artistic presence.
In Music, excellence was again celebrated through the accomplishments of Dr. Bernard Tan and Dr. Poom Prommachart, who took home awards for Best Musical Direction and Best Solo Performance – Instrumental respectively. Their dual roles as performers and educators continue to elevate Malaysia’s musical landscape. Meanwhile, Teater Muzikal Sakti Merong Mahawangsa captivated audiences and critics alike, earning four awards for its imaginative narrative and powerful delivery in the Musical Theatre category.
Three productions were distinguished with the coveted Best Of 2024 awards: Randai “MacBeth” by Pusat Seni Pentas Tradisional (PuTRA), Spice, Magic and Mystique by The Young KL Singers, and Teater Persiapan Seorang Aktor by Studio Sedar Ruang. Each production was a vivid reminder of the creativity and commitment driving Malaysia’s performing arts forward.
The pinnacle of the evening came with the conferral of the BOH Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor Dr. Tan Sooi Beng, a luminary in ethnomusicology from Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her decades-long contribution to the arts has not only enriched academic discourse but also empowered practitioners across the nation, embodying the very essence of the legacy the Awards sought to honour.
Executive Chairman of BOH Plantations, Caroline Russell, expressed her heartfelt admiration for the community, highlighting the “countless Ummph moments” witnessed over the past two decades. Low Ngai Yuen, President of Kakiseni, echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the Awards as a vital platform that both celebrates excellence and envisions what the arts in Malaysia can become.
As the ceremony came to a close, it left behind more than accolades—it reaffirmed a collective commitment to cultivating spaces for artistic courage, expression, and unity. From grassroots productions to polished showcases, the last 20 years have transformed Malaysia’s performing arts scene into a dynamic cultural force. With renewed energy and vision, the journey continues—honouring the past while boldly stepping into the future.
