CHAPTER 33: ZUBIR SAID
This article first appeared in Singapore Infopedia. Cheryl Sim (2014). “Zubir Said”. Singapore Infopedia. National Library, Singapore. Reproduced with permission. Copyright © 2020 National Library Board Singapore.
Zubir Said (b. 22 July 1907, Bukittinggi, Minangkabau, Sumatra, Indonesia–d. 16 November 1987, Singapore), also affectionately known as Pak Zubir (pak means “father” in Malay) or Mr Mari Kita (the first two words of the Singapore national anthem), was the composer of the Singapore national anthem, “Majulah Singapura”. Upon his arrival in Singapore in 1928, Zubir joined a bangsawan (traditional Malay opera) troupe as a violinist, and was subsequently recruited by a recording company as a recording supervisor in 1936. He became a music composer for film production company Shaw Brothers in 1949, and worked with Cathay Keris thereafter for 14 years until his retirement in 1964. Despite his lack of formal music education, the prolific songwriter wrote at least 1,500 songs comprising film songs, popular songs and national songs. He was conferred a series of awards during his lifetime and posthumously, in recognition of his work as the composer of the national anthem, as well as his contributions to the music scene and Malay culture in Singapore.
