‘I THOUGHT IT WAS THE END OF MY CAREER’
Losing his voice for more than a month due to laryngitis made singer Anuar Zain think he was at the end of his career. TAHIR ALHAMZAH chats with the crooner
NEVER has Anuar Zain felt so vulnerable and lost until earlier this year, when he developed laryngitis which made him lose his voice.
“I had never experienced it before. When it dragged on for more than two weeks, I got a little worried.
“It crossed my mind if that was a sign that I could no longer perform. Was my singing career over?” recounted the 47-year-old singer of the harrowing experience, especially for one whose vocation depends largely on his vocal cords.
Laryngitis occurs when one’s voice box or vocal cords become inflamed from overuse, irritation, or infection.
Anuar said he went to two specialists to seek treatment.
“The doctors said it was due to the polluted air and that it could happen to anyone.”
The award-winning singer lost his voice just before he was scheduled to perform at the “Yonder Music Live Series By The Lake — Anuar Zain & You” concert.
And because of his condition, the concert was cancelled at the eleventh hour.
“You have no idea how stressful it was for me. Everything had been prepared and ready, from my performing attire right up to the musicians. But the most pertinent thing, my voice, was not. I was more concerned about my fans who flew in from Brunei and Singapore for the concert.
“I’m very grateful to my fans who were understanding when the concert had to be called off,” said Anuar, who finally recovered after six weeks.
Luckily for his fans, as soon as Anuar got his voice back, he went straight back to work.
Next month, Anuar is set to perform at Konsert Emoji, which features Faizal Tahir, Akim & The Majistret, KRU and Usop (of Mentor Milenia 2017 fame).
The concert, to be held on Dec 16 and 17, is part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Universiti Teknologi Mara’s Film, Theatre and Animation Faculty.