Preserving the legacy of musician Ahmad Nawab

2026-03-27 - 23:50

Photos of the late composer Ahmad Nawab hang on the walls of his family home, where his fourth child Nasir Khan continues to preserve his memory. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR: “Indahnya sungguh di Hari Raya, ramainya orang bersuka ria...” For many Malaysians, these familiar lyrics from “Seloka Hari Raya” are as much a part of Aidilfitri as ketupat and balik kampung. Performed by Uji Rashid and the late Hail Amir, the song has endured for more than five decades, its blend of traditional Malay elements and 1970s pop still striking a chord today. Behind it was the late Ahmad Nawab, one of the country’s most prolific composers. While “Seloka Hari Raya” remains among his most recognisable works, it is just a glimpse of a remarkable career that produced over 2,000 songs and more than 200 albums across Malaysia and Indonesia. Yet, despite his vast contributions, Ahmad Nawab’s name is not widely recognised, especially among younger listeners. It is something his family hopes to change. At his home in Taman Melewar, Gombak, a special room now serves as a quiet archive of his life’s work, filled with instruments, memorabilia and decades of musical history. The room that serves as an archive of Ahmad Nawab’s work contains various instruments, including these saxophones. (Bernama pic) There are saxophones of all kinds, from baritone to soprano, alongside a clarinet, flute and piano. Shelves hold handwritten scores, old newspaper clippings, photographs, vinyl records and recording tapes, all carefully preserved by his fourth child, Nasir Khan. “My father kept everything himself over the years. He was very meticulous and documented all aspects of his career,” Nasir told Bernama. Among the most treasured items is a baritone saxophone linked to the classic films “Masam-Masam Manis” and “Ragam P Ramlee”. “The instrument was borrowed by P Ramlee during filming. He only mimed playing it on screen, while the actual performance was done by my father,” Nasir, 63, shared. Having worked closely with his father, Nasir remembers him as a perfectionist who paid close attention to every detail, whether composing songs or arranging music for films. That discipline is evident in the handwritten scores still kept in the room, each one carefully structured before recording. Items such as these handwritten scores are a music historian’s dream. (Bernama pic) Even in his 90s, Ahmad Nawab remained deeply committed to his craft, practising the saxophone almost daily. For him, music was not just a profession but a lifelong pursuit that required constant refinement. Over a career spanning more than 70 years until his passing in November 2024, the Penang-born composer witnessed – and adapted to – sweeping changes in recording technology, from simple two-track systems to more complex multitrack formats. Today, his family hopes that his collection will one day find a permanent home. “I hope it can be placed in a dedicated gallery so the public, especially younger generations, can experience and appreciate his legacy,” said Nasir. For now, the room in Taman Melewar stands as a quiet reminder of a man whose music continues to echo through time – especially when Hari Raya comes around again.