Zubir Said

Composer

Birthday July 22, 1907

Birth Sign Cancer

Birthplace Indonesia

DEATH DATE Nov 16, 1987 (80)

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About

Best remembered as the composer of Singapore's national anthem, "Majulah Singapura" (English title: "Onward Singapore"), he also had a more than decade-long career as a composer with a Malay movie production company called Cathay-Keris Film Productions.

Before Fame

He learned to play the flute during his primary school years; by middle school, he was proficient on drums and guitar. He moved to Singapore in his early twenties and began his music career with a Malay opera company.

Trivia

His numerous cultural and artistic awards include the Bintang Bakti Masyarakat, the Sijil Kemuliaan, and the Jasawan Seni Award.

Family Life

He grew up in West Sumatra, Indonesia, in a family of eight children. After settling in Singapore and marrying, he became the father of one son and four daughters.

Associated With

He and Latvian musician Karlis Baumanis both became famous for composing their countries' national anthems.