This project by NAFA and NTU honours the man whose life and works offer an insight into the socio-political structure of Singapore from the late 1950s to 60s. In particular, the national anthem Majulah Singapura by Zubir Said (1907-87) can be said to bridge the diverse social, cultural, and political landscapes of Singapore during turbulent times. As an early advocate for national music, Zubir wrote songs, articles, and delivered speeches on this topic.
The objective of this online exhibition on the Majulah Singapura is to represent the network of concepts to support visualization, associative browsing, and research. Its mindmap-like feature helps one make correlations between the various artefacts and events surrounding this work. Zubir’s manuscripts and printed scores, official and personal correspondence, as well as interviews on various print and online media will help the user build a coherent narrative on the significance of the national anthem for its people.
Majulah Singapura Online Exhibition
The music scores selected for this online exhibition include the early City Council versions of the Majulah Singapura! in numbered notation, as well as print and handwritten versions of the official anthem, and the familiar children’s day song Semoga Bahagia. The writings in this collection comprise some 30 items, representing official and business letters, unpublished drafts of material for articles, lectures, and speeches, and his personal correspondence with O. T. Irene (Old Timer) which captures Zubir’s sharp observations, wit and humour in private moments, adding a colourful element to his personality. The dozen photographs selected for this online collection feature Zubir formally and informally, alone, or with family and friends.
Authors:
Dr Eleanor A. L. TAN (School of Music, Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts)
Associate Professor Christopher S. G. KHOO (Wee Kim Wee School of Communication & Information, Nanyang Technological University)
Ms NG Siam Gek (Independent Researcher and Administrator)
Authors’ note: We would like to acknowledge the support of Dr Rebecca Kan, Mr Peter Linnitt (RCM), Emeritus Professor Malcolm Gillies (AM, KC), and Dr Emily Tan (Oxford). We are also appreciative to Ms Reshma d/o Jethan, Ms Calista Lee Min Jun, and Mr Desmond Yong Thiam Ming for their contributions to the ontology development.