1960s SINGER ASPALELA ABDULLAH DIES TODAY

KUALA LUMPUR,  Dec 8 (Bernama) -- A singer in the 60s-era, Aspalela Abdullah, died while on the way to Kula Lumpur Hospital today after falling in a bathroom at her house in Taman Melati here.

She was 79.

The news of her passing was confirmed by her granddaughter, Puteri Wan Nur Izzati Azhari, 30, when contacted by Bernama.

"My mother was in the bathroom when she fell.  She appeared weak and we immediately called for an ambulance to take her to the hospital. However, the doctor pronounced her dead at about 10 am," she said.

Puteri Wan Nur Izzati said Aspalela's health had been declining over the past few months and she spent most of her time at home due to various health issues, including gout and high blood pressure.

According to her, Aspalela's remains are still at the hospital.

She expected the burial to be held after the Asar prayer today at the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Raudhatul Sakinah Islamic Cemetery.

Aspalela, the winner of Bintang Radio 68, had released five albums, including Album Joget Cari Makan, produced by Omar Taib and distributed by WEA (now Warner Music) in 1991.

Among her famous songs are Payung Mahkota and Titian Kasih Ke Syurga.

Meanwhile, veteran actress Norlia Abdul Ghani, popularly known as Norlia Ghani, described Aspalela as a generous person who was ever willing to share her knowledge.

They became close after joining the Marhaban Artis Wanita Malaysia (AWM) group led by legendary singer Datuk Yusni Hamid in 2014.

According to Norlia, when they were in the group, Aspalela often shared her knowledge with other artistes about how to improve their marhaban performance and the right way to sing the qasidah, nasyid, and selawat.

"We considered her like an older sister or a mother... because she was good at marhaban. She would correct any mistakes and show us how to improve them. Besides that, she also taught artistes to read the Quran," she said when contacted by Bernama.

Singer and actress Rozita Rohaizad described Aspalela as an unparalleled artiste in traditional Malay music, known for her distinctive vocal style and unique intonation.

-- BERNAMA