KUALA LUMPUR: Yayasan Kebajikan Artis Veteran chairman, Datuk DJ Dave, has described the passing of Tan Sri Ahmad Khan Nawab Khan, otherwise known as Ahmad Nawab as a great loss of an irreplaceable gem of the music industry who had the uncanny ability to write songs that complement the capability and character of the singer.
The renowned composer passed away due to old age at about 3.15pm yesterday at his residence in Taman Melewar, Gombak, near here. He was 93.
"I learned a lot from him. When I was in the studio with him, there were times when I was scolded, but I was patient because I wanted to learn. He shared many valuable pieces of advice," he told reporters at the late musician's residence yesterday.
DJ Dave said he last met Ahmad Nawab at Istana Negara in 2023 when the late musician was conferred the Tan Sri title by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
"…we talked about my music career and so on. I also invited him to my house, and he agreed to come by the following week. However, he then told me he was unwell and still could not make it the next week as he was still not well," he said.
Meanwhile, renowned actress Datuk Rosnani Jamil said that she and the Penang Artists Association were planning to establish a gallery or art museum to honour the Penang-born composer.
"So, we were happy talking about it, but I didn't get the chance to share it when my son informed me that he had passed away," she added.
Ahmad Nawab's remains will be laid to rest at 10am at the Raudhatul Sakinah Muslim Cemetery (Kuala Lumpur-Karak) today.
Throughout his career, Ahmad Nawab produced more than 200 albums performed by local and Indonesian artistes including Hetty Koes Endang and Broery Marantika.
He also composed Malaysia Truly Asia, Tourism Malaysia's Visit Malaysia Campaign theme song in 1999, performed by Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim.
Ahmad Nawab, who served with Orkestra RTM for 17 years, won various awards, including the Merak Kayangan Award for Best Song for his first composition, Bintang Malam, in 1980. – BERNAMA