“In 10 years, I think I have all of the reasons to believe the particular song could have been forgotten somewhere in between, ” Shabir mused. “All I heard through people was, ‘Your song needs to be heard more. ’ It had been still underground. Some thing changed last year when I performed it from NDP for the first time. The particular composer-singer-songwriter singing it at the NDP – that was like complete circle for the track. ”
Shabir thanks Doctor Sydney Tan to get including the song within last year’s lineup, and looks forwards this year to executing an upbeat version associated with Singai Naadu the first time, arranged by Put on Richmond.
When there’s anything he would go back and change about this, “I would associated with song a bit even louder, ” he quipped. “All the music now are very loud! ”
Does he think he’d ever write an additional song for the nation? “I think I am going to, but not in Tamil, ” he stated. “Maybe one out of all languages. I don’t think we have one like that. ”
Nowadays, Shabir shuttles among India and Singapore, scoring music intended for Kollywood films and also producing independent tracks. His latest indie release, titled Rubaiyat Kavithai, will be from streaming platforms upon Aug 12; it explores the relationships between classical and newer art forms, with the story of a poet falling deeply in love with a Kathak dancer.
But Singai Naadu will always have a special place in his heart. From the beginning, they have always believed in its power. “There are some songs we know aren’t all that good – maybe I like this but people do not – but not in the case of Singai Naadu, ” he stated.
“I’m very appreciative that the song is definitely liked by people, and I’m just glad that I could lead in some way – my very own little way being a music artist – to this whole discussion of nation building and racial tranquility, and what it means to become Singaporean and look toward the future.
“As a musician, I don’t think there could be something better. ”
Catch Shabir at the National Day time Parade on Aug 9.