Fondly known as Nana, Siti Nordiana said ‘Ahai’ marks her first solo single in the Malaysian rhythm genre, following her 2003 duet album ‘Firuz’ with Syura.
KUALA LUMPUR: Amid a music scene increasingly dominated by pop and electronic sounds, singer and actress Siti Nordiana Alias is taking a bold step to rekindle the beauty of Malaysian rhythms through her latest single ‘Ahai’.
Composed by Ikhwan Fatana and Wan Saleh, the song serves as a vessel for the 41-year-old artiste to continue her mission of preserving the identity of traditional Malay music, a genre that has become rare in today’s mainstream market.
Fondly known as Nana, Siti Nordiana said ‘Ahai’ marks her first solo single in the Malaysian rhythm genre, following her 2003 duet album ‘Firuz’ with Syura.
“I’ve always had a deep love for Malaysian rhythms. I grew up listening to songs from this genre and even competed in traditional song singing contests when I was young.
“So when fans kept requesting me to perform Malaysian rhythm songs at shows, I felt this was the perfect time to reintroduce the genre with a fresh, modern touch,” she said after the launch of her new single in Bukit Bintang here last night.
The singer shared that her passion for traditional music remains strong, and she hopes to revive the atmosphere of old melodies that once shaped the soul of Malay music.
“As an artiste, I feel I’ve to revive the glory of traditional music, which is part of our identity. I’d love to bring back the era of Malaysian rhythms because music like this adds variety to the industry.
“Besides, Malaysian rhythms are still relevant and well-received by listeners today. Several fellow artistes who have released songs in this genre have also received positive feedback, showing that audiences are now more mature and open to appreciating the diversity of local music,” she said.
Speaking about ‘Ahai’, Siti Nordiana said the song draws inspiration from the timeless works of the late Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Zain, better known as Pak Ngah.
“’Ahai’ incorporates traditional sounds such as that of the gendang and kompang, giving it an authentic ‘asli’ feel while remaining easily accepted by today’s listeners. I wanted the song to capture the soul of traditional music that we grew up with… in the style of Pak Ngah and others.
“The song tells a story and offers advice to newlyweds. So I had to balance my emotions, being gentle at times, firm at others, but always playful. The rhythm is upbeat, so it was important to maintain the right balance of energy and softness,” she said.
Siti Nordiana also said she hoped to release a full Malaysian rhythm album if her single receives strong support from fans.
“I’ve always dreamed of producing a full Irama Malaysia album because this genre truly reflects who I am.
“We’ll see how the younger generation responds, but my passion for preserving traditional Malay music is as strong as ever,” she said.
‘Ahai’ is now available on all digital streaming platforms.
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