Helping others comes naturally to Dave
He may be synonymous with Yayasan Artis 1Malaysia today but DJ Dave’s embrace of Bangsa Malaysia goes back a long way, writes Dennis Chua
EVERGREEN singer Datuk Iwan Shah Abdullah, better known as Datuk DJ Dave, has a soft spot for children, especially the less fortunate ones.
This is because he believes that “today’s child is tomorrow’s world”, and children need love to ensure that they have a better tomorrow.
In fact, Dave loves them so much that he even celebrates his Valentine’s Day birthday with them every year.
A fitness fanatic, he also believes that “health is wealth” and keeps fit by eating right, playing badminton and going to the gym.
“I’ve been taking part in international badminton tournaments for five years now, winning medals. I’ve got a team of 17, the BU Dragons, who are pretty good,” said Dave in a recent interview.
The 74-year-old is the president of Yayasan Artis 1Malaysia (YA1M), which he set up in 2013 with fellow artistes such as Datuk Yusof Haslam and Datuk M. Nasir to lend a helping hand to underprivileged artistes.
The father of three, from Tanjung Malim,
Perak, rose to fame in the 1970s as a multi-lingual recording artiste, and remains a favourite with music lovers.
While most of his songs have been in the Malay language, he has also performed in English, Hindi and Chinese. He even recorded a Hindi album, Mar Gaye Oye, in 2005.
Best known for pop songs Maafkanlah, Ingin Bersua, Di Desa Kasihku Tertumpah,
Hanya Mimpi, Cinta Abadi and Kini Ku Menangis, and Hari Raya Aidilfitri hit Menjelang Hari
Raya, Dave learnt from his father, Dhamy Jagjit Singh Kapoor, that social service is the true test of one’s godliness, regardless of race and faith.
“Giving food and bringing cheer to others is the most noble social service,” said the eldest of eight siblings. He acquired his love of music from his mother, Karam Kaur Jessy.
“My mother sang beautifully and exposed me to music during my childhood. I also learnt the piano and tabla.”
Dave spent his early education at the Anglo Chinese School in Kampar, Perak, and the Methodist English School in Tanjung Malim.
“The most important lesson I learnt in school was behaving and thinking like a Malaysian. I mixed with children from all races, and mastered English and Bahasa Malaysia. The seeds of 1Malaysia were sowed in schools back then.”
His singing career started because of orphans. “It was a chance appearance at a Hari Raya function where I sang to a group of orphans.
“A boy on crutches then suggested I go for an audition. I went to Life Records with a demo but was told to polish up my Malay so I could record in the language.”
Mentored by composers and lyricists who included Datuk Ahmad Nawab and S Atan, Dave has been credited with revolutionising Malay music, giving it Chinese, Hindi and Tamil melodies.
He has more than 20 albums to his name.
Dave said the DJ in his name referred to his father’s initials. “It’s a tribute to my father, who is my No.1 fan.”
Dave’s children, engineers Arween and Shazdarween and architect Darweena can also sing but would rather pursue their respective professions.
“I’ve always encouraged them to be independent and well educated, and as a result of putting their studies first, they’re successful in their respective careers,” said Dave who converted to Islam in 1978.
He once owned the Dayang Hotel in Petaling Jaya. “I currently own a Tune Hotel in Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur, adjacent to Putra World Trade Centre.”
Dave also owns Renewable Plus, a green technology and renewable energy company, which is a partnership with Iranian entrepreneur Arman Massoumi.
“We convert manure, wood chips and empty fruit bunches from oil palm into fuel,” he said, adding that his five-year-old company has factories in Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Turkey.
Dave, who conquered Mount Kinabalu in 2009, celebrated four decades in music with a concert at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur in 2012.
He initiated his own reality talent show Audition on ntv7 from 2004 to 2005.
“Music is the key to national integration. Reality shows and talent searches like Audition, Akademi Fantasia, Malaysian Idol,
Mentor and One In A Million have brought budding talents from all over the country together in true Malaysian spirit.”
Dave was awarded a Datukship by Sabah Governor Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah in 2005 for his contributions to nation-building.
Giving food and bringing cheer to others is the most noble social service. DJ Dave