LETTERS: Veteran saxophonist and composer Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Nawab Khan turns 87 this year.
As a long-time fan of this legendary artiste, I am happy to note that he is in good health and continues with his life-long discipline and penchant for playing his saxophone at home.
This testifies to his dedication and commitment as an artiste.
In recognition of his contribution to the local music industry, Ahmad was bestowed with the Anugerah Seniman Negara (National Artiste Award) in 2006 by the federal government. He was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree by Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2000.
A composer of over 2,000 songs, he mentored many of the country’s top singers. They include the late Datuk Sharifah Aini, Datuk DJ Dave, Salamiah Hassan, Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim, Uji Rashid, Hail Amir and Ramlah Ram. He also collaborated with the late Broery Pesulima, the legendary Indonesian singer.
Recently, Ahmad was quoted by a news portal that he felt somewhat “forgotten” by the country’s cultural and tertiary institutions.
He lamented that although he had expressed his willingness to share his expertise and artistic knowledge with young artistes and composers, very few have reached out to him.
He also felt let down that organisers of music seminars and conferences have never invited him to their events. This was not the first time that he has expressed such sentiments. A few years ago, he expressed similar frustrations to several newspapers.
It would be a good thing if our state-owned institutions and agencies dealing with cultural matters and the arts could reach out to Ahmad to tap his expertise for the benefit of young Malaysians.
The National Department of Culture and Arts and Radio Televisyen Malaysia could take the initiative in this regard.
Other than his expertise on music genres and composition, he is a repository of facts and anecdotes on the evolution of our local music industry.
Since the 1950s, he has collaborated with numerous musicians and composers, including the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee.
He is also among the last surviving members of Orkes Radio Malaya, which made its debut in 1961. It was the forerunner of the renowned Orkestra RTM.
Without doubt, his expertise, vast knowledge and self-discipline will be beneficial to young Malaysian artistes as well as be a source of inspiration.
HUSSAIN ABU BAKAR
Petaling Jaya, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times.