We were deeply honoured to recently welcome a most distinguished guest to our workshop in Bandar Sri Damansara: His Royal Highness the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj.
What began as a personal visit to source a violin for his granddaughter, Layla, who resides in London, gracefully extended into an insightful, behind-the-scenes tour of our day-to-day operations. For our entire team, witnessing His Royal Highness’s genuine interest in our craft was an incredibly moving experience.
A Commendation of Artisanal Quality
During the visit, His Royal Highness took the time to personally examine the violins and cellos currently being crafted and restored on-site. The Sultan expressed his pleasant surprise at the world-class standards maintained within the atelier, commending the meticulous attention to detail and the exceptional quality of the workmanship.
Empowering a New Generation of Malaysian Luthiers
Beyond the instruments themselves, the aspect of our work that resonated most deeply with His Royal Highness was the team behind them. Every artisan, luthier, and technician handling these delicate instruments in our workshop is a local talent. These young Malaysians have acquired their highly specialised skills directly through our dedicated training and apprenticeship programmes.
When Tan Chin Seng first established Deciso, the vision was always greater than simply operating a retail shop. The goal was to build a sustainable, long-term hub for classical music in Malaysia—one where the art of traditional violin-making could be passed down, allowing local artisans to learn, master the craft, and build a meaningful livelihood.
Preserving a Rare Heritage
Before concluding his visit, the Sultan expressed his profound hope to see more young people step into this field. The making and restoration of classical stringed instruments remains an incredibly rare skill globally. By nurturing a new generation of local talent, we ensure that this exquisite musical craftsmanship continues to live and thrive within Malaysia.
The royal visit serves as a powerful validation of everything we strive for at Deciso. It reinforces our dedication to investing in local talent and ensures that we continue to maintain the absolute highest standards for every instrument that passes through our doors.
We extend our deepest gratitude to His Royal Highness for his gracious presence, his time, and his invaluable support for local craftsmanship.
This article was originally published by Selangor Royal Office. You can read the original piece here.
