We all know the national anthem ‘Majulah Singapura’, but how much do we know about the man who composed it? My first encounter with Mr. Zubir Said, affectionately known as Pak Zubir, was through a CNA Insider bulletin in 2019. It revealed that the anthem we sing today is quite different from his original composition.
This piqued my curiosity, especially with Wild Rice’s ‘Don’t Call Me Mr. Mari Kita’ currently on its seventh and final run at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre at Funan. It’s the much-talked heartfelt musical tribute to Pak Zubir, conceived by highly regarded music director composer Julian Wong who became enthralled with Zubir's life and legacy after learning that his own music teacher, Iskandar Ismail, was a pupil of Zubir.
It felt like the perfect time to delve deeper into the life of the man myself, whose music and lyrics feature so prominently in my life. A quick Google search led me to the National Library Board’s writeup. Did you know that he was born in Sumatra, Indonesia? Or that he composed music for films made by local production companies Shaw Brothers and Cathay-Keris studio? Or that his father disapproved of his pursuit of music and was unsupportive, deeming it haram (Arabic for unlawful or forbidden)?
Pak Zubir was said to have chosen Singapore to advance his career as a musician because he was “sold on the idea by a sailor friend who told him about the colony’s glittering lights, and the availability of kopi susu (coffee with milk) and butter”.
All these wonderful anecdotes only just serve to humanise a man who played such a pivotal role in Singapore’s journey to independence. It’s wild to think how little we know about Pak Zubir despite singing his composition almost every day for years.
Reading excerpts from his daughter Associate Professor Puan Sri Datin Dr. Rohana Zubir memoir has given me a deeper glimpse into his character and his in our local music scene. But somehow, it left me wanting more.
Wild Rice re-recorded and released an album dedicated to some of Pak Zubir’s best songs. While it’s an adaptation, it’s clear that Pak Zubir was very protective of his work and passionate about his compositions being kept the way they were originally written.
One thing is for sure – this man was definitely comfortable with expressing his real emotions and who he was via his music and lyrics.
Despite having an estranged relationship with his father, likely because they never saw eye to eye when it came to Pak Zubir’s pursuit of music, he was tender and loving to his granddaughter – as revealed in the song ‘Suhanna’. In this beautifully penned song, Pak Zubir yearns to live long enough to see her grow up and even alludes that he wished he could reverse the ageing process.
The Patriotic Foreigner
Recently, I had a disagreement with a really close friend who claimed that museums in Singapore were boring, which is why we never visited them together. However, I would argue that Pak Zubir’s songs about his love and hopes for Singapore reflect a deep appreciation for our country’s beauty, a sentiment I truly share despite my feeling somewhat detached from the country I was born in.
Falling in love with Singapore
When you listen to Cempaka Biru and Singapura Permai, you see how he falls in love with the nature and people of this adopted homeland. Maybe that’s why he had such a profound national spirit, born from his love for the vibrant energy and potential he saw in Singapore.
For Pak Zubir, Singapore was a place where he could shape the future rather than conform to the status quo. The hopeful perspective provided a reason for others to appreciate and experience Singapore differently, standing in contrast to the turbulent times he lived through – our country’s initial merger and eventual separation from Malaysia, and the early years of independence.
A Heartfelt Tribute
When I finally attended a performance of ‘Don’t Call Him Mr. Mari Kita’, I was brought to tears. I was prepared for an emotional experience but my heartbreak stemmed from empathy and a sense of injustice for one of Singapore’s forefathers who gave so much of himself, only to be let down by those he served.
However, as Julian Wong’s beautiful musical tribute gently encourages us to reflect, we shouldn’t leave the theatre in frustration for what has happened. But instead, strive to do better by our arts practitioners today. We must recognise and appreciate those in our local arts and culture sector for all their contributions, ensuring that their efforts are not only acknowledged but celebrated. In essence, we need to give people their flowers while they can still smell them.
As we continue to celebrate our nation and its achievements, perhaps we should take the time to honour and pay tribute to those who were instrumental in our nation building – people like Pak Zubir. Just don’t call him Mr. Mari Kita.
All images credited to Zubir Said 'Majulah Singapura' on Facebook, Associate Professor Puan Sri Datin Dr. Rohana Zubir, and Wild Rice.
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