[Entertainment] Istana Budaya

The Istana Budaya or The Palace of Culture, is Malaysia's main venue for all types of theatre including musical theater, operetta, classical concert and opera from local and international performances. It is located next to the National Art Gallery in Jalan Tun Razak at the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Istana Budaya is aimed to raise the standard of the performing arts, to develop artistic excellence in theater, to popularize high quality theater productions, and to develop a higher sense of artistic appreciation.

The Istana Budaya theater hall "Panggung Sari" with unique design of royal boxes inspired by the window of Malay traditional house, can accommodate up to 1,412 audiences at one time. The building is the first theater in Asia that is equipped with state-of-the-art stage equipment. Istana Budaya is also rated among the ten most sophisticated theaters in the world, and on par with the Royal Albert Hall in London.

The building was designed by the local architect, Muhammad Kamar Ya'akub. The inspiration for the design is based on a traditional moon kite in flight. The turquoise folds on the roof and the intricate design of the foyer are just two of the interesting features of the building. Istana Budaya’s architecture has intrigued experts and academics.