The singer-actress has released her first Hari Raya music video and track, writes Dennis Chua
WHILE Maya Karin is one of the country’s most sought-after actresses, her singing career is making steady progress. She has her first Hari Raya Aidilfitri song out with an accompanying music video.
The song is Pulang and it is a heartwarming, catchy composition created by composer Audi Mok and lyricist Omar K. “It’s a simple, yet meaningful song about what Hari Raya means to youths busy with their careers in the city and whose parents are always proud of them.
“It carries the message that no matter how far apart we are, they should always be in our hearts and Hari Raya is the best opportunity for family gatherings and catching up,” says Maya.
The song’s nostalgic balik kampung-style music video, Maya admits, was a last-minute job. “It has a Malam Raya concept and features me with family and friends.”
The video was supposed to be filmed in Janda Baik, Pahang but the production team eventually chose to have it in Petaling Jaya. “It was shot with my relatives in PJ and it was a fun-filled process which lasted a whole day.”
She hopes to perform more songs for the festive season in future. “I love the melodious, moving and poignant Hari Raya songs which are evergreen,” she says adding that songs by Datuk Ahmad Jais, Datuk Sharifah Aini, Tan Sri P Ramlee, Puan Sri Saloma, Uji Rashid and Hail Amir are among her favourites.
The recent passing of Sharifah Aini, she says, was a great loss to Malaysian music as she was a superb singer and kind-hearted soul. “Hari Raya will not be the same without her, a legend and gem of Malaysian entertainers. She will long be remembered, as will her music.”
A week before Hari Raya, Maya will visit her sister Irina Roelcke in London. “We’re very close and visiting her is always a superb way to catch up with each other.” Maya, a die-hard supporter of German football, is elated that her paternal ancestors’ home country won the World Cup 2014. “They are always the best team, excelling in teamwork, tactics, discipline, stamina and superb scoring.”
Maya will also be a guest on the Hari Raya entertainment programme Sampaikan Raya and after the festive season she will be promoting the third instalment of the popular, tear-jerker movie series Lagenda Budak Setan. “There’s going to be a lot more suspense, action, tears and great plot development in Lagenda Budak Setan 3 which comes to cinemas this September.”
Maya, who starred in Lagenda Budak Setan 2 last year opposite Farid Kamil, has enjoyed working with the versatile actor and describes him as a fun-loving, lively and uplifting friend. “Farid is really cool and spending time with him in both movies is simply amazing.
“He’s really made his resilient character Qasha a memorable screen hero Malaysians can relate to — he braves trials to find happiness.”
Maya is full of praise for Farid’s actress wife Diana Danielle. “Diana is a fabulous actress who has grown with experience. She’s so lovely and well-read in entertainment too. We haven’t teamed up for films but I’d love to someday,” says Maya, whose favourite singer is Aizat Amdan.
“I love Aizat. He’s a boy-next-door, yet a phenomenal star in the music industry, who creates his own musical style.”
Currently, Maya is busy rehearsing for the restaging of SuperMokh Sebuah Muzikal (at Istana Budaya on Sept 8). Once again, she takes on the role of football legend Datuk Mokhtar Dahari’s wife Datin Tengku Zarina Tengku Ibrahim, while singer-actor Awie reprises his role as Mokhtar.
“It’s going to be a bigger and better SuperMokh this time, and I can’t wait for the big day.”
Special festive album
Warner Music Malaysia has a special Hari Raya album titled 15 Senandung Aidilfitri. The 15 songs in the recently launched album include two new ones, Salam Aidilfitri by Soo Wincci and Syawal Tanpamu by the group NtahSape2Ntah.
“Every year, we try to come up with Hari Raya compilation albums for Malaysian music lovers and this time, the songs are mostly sung by newer artistes,” says managing director Darren Choy at the launch of the album in Hilton Kuala Lumpur, KL Sentral recently.
The evergreen songs in the album include Datuk Jamal Abdillah’s Salam Aidilfitri and Memori Hari Raya, Feminin’s Kurniaan Di Hari Raya and Ajai’s Rindu Di Aidilfitri.
The other songs are Hadirkanku Di Ingatan by Hafiz Suip, Tak Pisah Kenangan (Awie), Pulang (Maya Karin), Warkah (Hafiz Suip, Akim Ahmad, Datuk Aznil Nawawi and Aril Pilus), Bayangan Ilham (Akim Ahmad, Nera Kitingon and Ray), Bersama-Sama (Erul Abu Samah and Ema Suhaimi), Hari Yang Kunanti (Hazama Azmi, Adira Suhaimi and Dina Nadzir), Eratkan Jalinan (Aril Pilus, Fina Jebat, Krill and Dina Nadzir) and Ramadan Dan Syawal (Adibah Noor).