The late singing legend Tan Sri SM Salim will forever be remembered not only for his passion for traditional Malay music but also his natural sense of humour, writes Bibi Nurshuhada Ramli
IT was March, 2001. Legendary singer Tan Sri SM Salim had a two-hour concert, titled Perjalanan Seni, at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP).
As an advocate of classic Malay music, he had certainly delivered singing-wise, especially when backed by the distinguished Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra combined with a group of traditional keroncong musicians.
Although the DFP is known for its high-class concert hall, his concert wasn’t a stuffy affair. It was a fun experience, thanks to Salim’s penchant for tickling people’s funny bones. “Life isn’t complete without jokes and humour. If you don’t laugh, you’ll grow old faster,” he said.
Salim, then 72, remained seated throughout the show due to his ailing health.
“Only the part below my knees hurts. The rest (are) all in good condition. Terrific,” he informed the audience.
Guest artiste Siti Nurhaliza, then 22, sang a duet of the song Pandang Pandang Jeling Jeling. Pretty in pink, she had assisted Salim on stage to his seat. “I’m so lucky,” he told the crowd, grinning.
“I’m so honoured to have Siti here tonight. If I was still young, I think I’d be in trouble.”
The comedy continued throughout the night when Salim inserted a funny story before every performance. It certainly made the show even more memorable for Salim’s fans.
His penchant for making us laugh was certainly one of the many things we loved most about Salim. This habit was even translated into his traditional Malay songs.
One such example was his 1991 timeless tune Apa Dah Jadi, about a man unable to find love, despite his advancing age.
At the DFP show, he said the lyrics were inspired by his seven girlfriends, and how he couldn’t marry them since singers back then were not considered husband material.
What made the song even more special besides its catchy melody was its even catchier lyrics. It told a sad story but Salim made the song his own when he inserted teasing themes into the lyrics.
Going against the grain, he sang about a man’s misfortune instead of the well-worn tunes of other artistes singing about love and romance.
Unfortunately, we will never get to experience such a unique and jovial personality anymore. Salim died from old age at 88 on Dec 29.
INDOMITABLE ARTISTE
An immense loss, not only to his fans, but also to the country’s music industry, he had stayed true to his passion for traditional Malay music right till his death.
Salim began his singing career in the 1950s, while working as a part-time radio announcer for Radio Malaya (now called RTM). After making a name singing classical Malay music, he joined the singing group Irama Melayu and the Puspati Orchestra.
Salim went on to release more than 10 albums (his first was in 1952, containing two songs), and over 100 songs. They include Sri Siantan, Kalau Ku Tahu, Bunga Tanjung, Pantun Budi, Selamat Tinggal Bungaku, Kenang Daku Dalam Doamu and Joget Penghibur.
Salim was also known for duets with various artistes, namely Datuk Yusni Hamid (Pandang Pandang Jeling Jeling), Datuk Sheila Majid (Entahkan Jadi Entahkan Tidak) and Datuk Zainal Abidin (Satu).
Satu won Best Song at the Anugerah Industri Muzik in 1993.
Salim’s songs resonated with fans thanks to their traditional music core, his humorous personality and the moral values in the songs.
For his contribution to the local music industry, Salim was the second local artiste to be awarded the title of Tan Sri in 2001, after his source of inspiration, the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee.
One of his notable feats included performing in Congo in front of soldiers from around the world in 1961 when Malaysian troops were stationed there under the United Nations’ banner.
In 1996, he was presented the Lifetime Achievement award, namely the Anugerah Wirama, at the Anugerah Industri Muzik event. In 2013, Salim was awarded the Anugerah Biduan Negara by the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia.
Other recognitions included the Tokoh Seni title by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 1991, an honorary master’s degree in music (performing arts) by Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2003, and the lifetime achievement award at Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian 28 in 2015.
Salim voiced his concern about the traditional Malay music genre’s future in the country and if there was anyone who would keep it going well after his passing. Many local artistes agree that there are indeed some bright sparks who can sing traditional Malay music well. But no one can replace the indomitable artiste that was SM Salim.
Even in his final years, he still felt a strong need to sing or perform. “Singing was like therapy for his soul,” his eldest daughter Siti Noraishah had said.
It is this dedication that makes him a legend and it is this same value that every Malaysian, regardless of race, creed or occupation, can find inspiration in.