Monday, November 20, 2006

Composer Ahmad Nawab Receives National Artiste 2006 Award

For music lovers, especially those of the melodious Malay super hits of the past five decades, this award must come as good news albeit a belated recognition of an icon and someone who is synonymous with quality Malay fare. The multi-talented musician's strength was his ability to appeal to the widest audience transcending age, race and nationality apart from a remarkable consistency in maintaining the highest standards. The full Bernama report follows.

Composer and musician Datuk Ahmad Nawab, who has composed more than 2,000 songs since his involvement with the musical world, received the National Artiste 2006 award Sunday night.

The award, presented by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail, was one of the categories of the National Arts Awards 2006, organised by the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry.

Ahmad Nawab, 73, also received RM60,000 cash and was made the ministry's representative for national and international seminars. He had served with the RTM Orchestra for 17 years, and won numerous accolades including the Merak Kayangan Award (Best Song) for his first song `Bintang Malam' in 1980.

Earlier, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said in his speech that the National Arts Award, held once in two years, was the country's highest recognition for artistes.

He said that four criterias were used in assessing artistes' for the awards - personality, knowledge, contributions and compositions. "A total of 32 artistes were selected to receive the awards out of 217 candidates," he said.

Other winners at the ceremony were cartoonist Datuk Mohd Noor Khalid or Lat, composer Suhaimi Mohd Zain (Pak Ngah), dancer Ramli Ibrahim and theater activist Zahim Albakri.

Klasik Nasional radio station won the Arts Promoter Award for the media category, while the Education Ministry's Schools Division (Public Sector), DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (Corporate Sector), The Actors Studio (Arts Company), Datuk Mohd Yaman Ahmad Mus and Goh Eng Boon (individual).

--BERNAMA

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