In memory of a legend
Datuk Siti Nurhaliza and Misha Omar pay tribute to their musical inspiration Sudirman.
MISHA Omar was just a young girl when she watched the late Sudirman take out a lighter and wave it in the air, as he belted the emotionally-charged Merisik Khabar at the 1987 Anugerah Juara Lagu finals.
“I never got to see Sudirman perform live but I will always remember watching that performance on TV. Many performers feel that in order to draw audiences in, they need lots of backup singers and dancers, elaborate props and set designs on stage.
“But he proved that with just a lighter, something so simple but symbolic (the lighter was a keepsake of the days he dated his ex-wife), he could deliver an unforgettable performance,” says the 31-year-old songstress.
Sudirman did not win the biggest prize of the night – the Best Song award – but his showmanship shone through and he picked up an award in the Best Performance category that year. The song remains popular to this day.
As for pop darling Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, she remembers being a fan of Sudirman even as a primary school student. Siti admires Sudirman for the amount of effort he put into every performance.
“Sudirman was a brilliant entertainer simply because he worked hard. He always did his research thoroughly, he thought of a theme for every performance and paid attention to every minor detail,” shares the 34-year-old singer who names Jauh Di Sudut Hati and Salam Terakhir as some of her favourite Sudirman classics.
Siti adds that one of the biggest lessons artistes of today can learn from Sudirman is the importance of singing from the heart. In doing so, the message of the song can be conveyed to the audience, she says.
Misha, on the other hand, believes Sudirman has challenged her to be more than just a singer. “I don’t want to be just a great singer. I want to be a great entertainer too. He has such a strong stage presence and he interacts so well with the audience. I’ve since started to improve on my own communication skills.
“Sudirman also diversified his talents. Besides being a great performer, he composed some of his own songs and he was a successful business owner. Similarly, I’ve also dabbled into acting,” shares the Bunga-Bunga Cinta singer.
The ladies both agree that Sudirman’s greatest achievement was in his ability to appeal to Malaysians of all walks of life. “Sometimes, as a pop singer, you tend to sing only pop songs. But he sang for the people and he sang for everyone. For those living in the countryside, there was Apa Khabar Orang Kampung; for the kids, there was Balik Kampung; and, of course, all those love songs for the love struck and broken-hearted adults,” Misha says.
In conjunction with the 20th anni- versary of Sudirman’s passing, both Siti and Misha performed some of the performer’s well-loved greatest hits, in Konsert Kenangan Sudirman to be aired on Astro tonight. Other artistes appearing on the show include Ziana Zain, Jaclyn Victor, Hafiz, Rahim Maarof and Khatijah Ibrahim.
Siti says she feels fortunate to be chosen to sing a medley of Aku Penggangur and Baru Dapat Kerja, plus a duet with Hafiz on Bimbang Terluka Lagi. Meanwhile, Misha confesses to feeling especially nervous delivering Hujan: “It was such a big song and he sang it so well. I was afraid of what people would think. I didn’t want them to say I ruined the song for them.”
Misha recalls that a wave of melancholy swept over her the moment she stepped on stage, as if she could feel Sudirman’s aura. She explains: “I felt so emotional all of a sudden. I think it was because he is so close to my heart and we’re both singers so I sort of understand what he went through. I have a deep sense of respect for him.”
Catch Konsert Kenangan Sudirman tonight at 10pm on Prima (Astro Ch 105).