A son’s tribute compiles the late maestro’s 2,000-song legacy into a historical book for future generations, fulfilling his final wish
KUALA LUMPUR: The immense musical legacy of the late Tan Sri Ahmad Nawab is now preserved for posterity in a new book. ‘Sentuhan Emas Tan Sri Ahmad Nawab’ was realised by his eldest son, Nasir Khan, to fulfil his father’s final wish.
Nasir said his father had wanted his works properly documented for study and appreciation. He expressed relief that the eight-month effort to honour his father’s artistic legacy was successfully completed.
The book features musical scores and exclusive photographs detailing the stories behind the maestro’s works. One of the main challenges was ensuring each piece was accurately transcribed from the original scores.
This process was carried out with the help of music experts to guarantee accuracy. Nasir noted that his father’s well-preserved notes, photographs, and records made compiling the materials easier.
The book’s cover design is made extra special by featuring Ahmad Nawab’s final handwritten note before his passing. It will be distributed to higher education institutions as a key reference.
Copies will also be contributed to the National Archives of Malaysia and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. Ahmad Nawab passed away at the age of 92 due to natural causes.
The renowned maestro composed over 2,000 songs that helped define the local music identity. His iconic works include evergreen songs and film soundtracks that produced many renowned singers.
These artists include the late Datuk Sharifah Aini, the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad, and Datuk Khadijah Ibrahim. Others are Datuk Jamal Abdillah, Uji Rashid, and Ramlah Ram.
Among his most famous compositions is ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’. This song is widely regarded as an iconic tourism anthem promoting the nation globally.
