Zubir Said made history when he composed Majulah Singapura, Singapore’s beloved national anthem. But beyond the anthem we’ve known and sung all our lives, there’s so much more to this musical legend’s claim to fame than most of us remember.
Come July 2022, Wild Rice will premiere Don’t Call Him Mr. Mari Kita, a sensational musical tribute to Zubir Said that explores his life story, legacy, and lesser-known musical gems from his songbook.
Much more than the iconic anthem that has come to define him, Zubir Said’s life story began when he defied his father’s wishes and left his village in Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, to pursue his dream of becoming a musician. Over a span of 40 years, Zubir Said became one of Singapore’s nascent music industry’s leading pioneers – composing close to 1,500 evergreen tunes and countless other film soundtracks. Later in his life, the self-taught musician also devoted his time and energy to teaching children how to read, play, and love music.
Helmed by Julian Wong, one of our country’s leading music directors, Don’t Call Him Mr. Mari Kita will showcase the best of Zubir Said’s compositions, including hits like Sayang Disayang, Orang Singapura, and Semoga Bahagia – all of which many patriots now know by heart.
The musical stars singers Hannah Nordin, Malcolm Lim, and Rohaniah Sa’id, accompanied by a live band that features Riduan Zalani – recipient of the prestigious National Arts Council’s Young Artist Award – on percussions.
Don’t Call Him Mr. Mari Kita will be performed for the general public at The Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre @ Wild Rice from 07 – 23 Jul.
Ready to revisit the melodies of our childhood? Grab your tickets at the Don’t Call Him Mr. Mari Kita’s event page here.
