KUALA LUMPUR: The third son of the late Datuk S. Atan, Rozaini Hashim, revealed his father's wish for him to continue his legacy as a composer.
However, Rozaini, who is a musician, admitted he could not fulfill the request due to his lack of expertise in songwriting.
"When he was unwell, my father expressed his desire for me to take over as a composer.
"I told him I wasn't capable and couldn't match his talent," Rozaini told BH Online.
Instead, Rozaini focuses on musical arrangements.
"Although I can't continue his legacy as a composer, I hope being a good father, like he was, will be enough.
"My father was incredibly responsible and loving," he added.
Rozaini, 36, fondly recalled working with his father to complete a song composition.
"Lately, I'd help him by creating sheet music. He would play the piano while I recorded or scored it. "Afterward, I'd show it to him. If he wasn't satisfied, I'd revise it," he said.
Rozaini added: "Working with my father was easy because he was meticulous."
"However, he was strict, especially about last-minute changes. I once got a fever because I had to redo an arrangement overnight," he said.
Rozaini also reminisced about his father's passion for music, which shaped his childhood.
"My father encouraged us to learn music early. I started with the piano, and he later sent me to music classes.
"Music was his life. He didn't have other hobbies except for recently watching Chinese movies on TV."
Datuk S. Atan, born Hashim Said, passed away at 75 at his residence in Kajang, Selangor at 3.53pm yesterday.
He was buried at Sungai Kantan Cemetery in Kajang at 11.07am this morning.
About 300 relatives and friends attended the burial to pay their last respects to the Singapore-born composer.
Among them were Datuk M Nasir, Datuk DJ Dave, Datuk Ramli MS, Datuk Freddie Fernandez, Datuk Aznil Nawawi, Datuk Ziela Jalil, Jatt and Liza Abdullah.
Earlier, his remains were bathed and prayed over at the Jamek Bandar Kajang Mosque at about 9am.
The late S Atan left behind a wife and six children.