AHMAD NAWAB RECOGNISED BY MBOR IN MOST CINEMATIC MUSIC PRODUCTION CATEGORY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 3 (Bernama) -- Seniman Negara (National Artiste) and renowned composer, the late Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Nawab, has been recognised by The Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR) in the Most Cinematic Music Productions category for producing more than 200 songs across 42 local films.

The certificate of recognition was presented to Ahmad Nawab’s fourth son, Nasir Khan, by MBOR officer Siti Hajar Johor, at a ceremony held here today.

This marks the second MBOR recognition for the celebrated composer. In 2013, he was honoured as the composer with the most recorded songs, having produced more than 2,000 compositions throughout his career. Ahmad Nawab, whose real name was Ahmad Khan Nawab Khan, passed away in 2024 due to old age.

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Nasir, 63, described the recognition as deeply meaningful to the family and an important step in ensuring that his father’s legacy continues to be remembered, appreciated and referred to by future generations.

“If we do not take the initiative to document and create awareness about his work, it may simply fade away,” he told reporters.

Ahmad Nawab’s involvement in the film industry began with Tun Tijah (1960), directed by Tan Sri L. Krishnan, where he served as music director. His final film project was Mawar Putih (2013), directed by Datuk Rosnani Jamil.

The 1976 film Hapuslah Air Matamu, directed by M. Amin, featured the highest number of songs he composed for a single production, totalling 11, including Hatiku Hatimu, Sabarlah Menanti and Seiring Sejalan, Nasir said.

Before establishing himself as a prominent film music director, Ahmad Nawab composed Bintang Malam in 1952. The song was later re-recorded by Malaysia’s first Biduanita Negara, the late Puan Sri Salmah Ismail, better known as Saloma, and featured in the film Do Re Mi (1966).

Nasir shared that the process of securing the latest recognition required extensive documentation and detailed verification of his father’s works preserved by the family.

“All his music scores, posters and original documents are carefully stored. I conducted research and verified them one by one before submitting the application to MBOR in December last year,” he said.

In addition, the family has published a book titled Sentuhan Emas Tan Sri Dr Ahmad Nawab, which compiles selected works of the late composer for documentation and as a reference for higher learning institutions in the field of music.

-- BERNAMA