Zainal Abidin Makes Exception To Principle For Youth Education

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) – Renowned for his contributions to pop, fusion, and world music, legendary singer Datuk Zainal Abidin has long been vocal in upholding the belief that ‘free concerts’ undermine an artiste’s value.

For the Johor-born artiste, who has spent over three decades in the music industry with songs that convey messages of humanity and the environment, he believes that this tradition should not continue, as it affects the dignity of an artiste.

However, Zainal, 64, best known for his hit song Hijau, which gained widespread acclaim after he went solo as the lead vocalist of the band Headwind, has made an ‘exception’ to this principle when the concert serves an educational purpose.

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He is scheduled to perform for free at the Festival of Drums & Percussion Malaysia 2024 at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam on Dec 7. The veteran singer, known for his unique style and a fan base that spans both local and international audiences, will perform three songs.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve performed without payment. I do it for the sake of education because I believe art is a powerful tool to shape minds and nations, ultimately fostering a more informed and creative society,” he said.

“In addition, the festival organiser, Jin from JS Music, has been incredibly supportive of me throughout my career,” Zainal said at a recent press conference.

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Alongside Zainal, the event will feature renowned artistes and musicians such as Arthur Kam, Batteryheadz Percussion, Kamrul Hussin, Lola and XPDC, Pa'ang Zaman, Rie Tsuji, Sān Percussion, Steve Thornton, The Gong, Ujang Exists, as well as the Royal Malaysia Police Band and Orkestra Tradisional Malaysia (OTM).

Noting that art is a vital component of the country’s economic framework, Zainal, a father of two, believes it should be paired with education, citing a Malay proverb, ‘Kuat berdiri pohon kerana akarnya, kuat akar kerana tanah,’ which directly translates as the strength of the trunk derives from the roots, the strength of the roots derives from the ground.

This is why Zainal, whose full name is Zainal Abidin Mohamed, urges newcomers not to focus solely on building a name in the music industry at the expense of their education, as it plays a crucial role in shaping their future.

“Many talented musicians lack an academic background. What I emphasise here is the importance of studying. Get a degree – start with a bachelor’s, then move on to a master’s and beyond, particularly in the field of music.”

“Education will yield good results and open up opportunities for a brighter future. Don’t just play a few chords against a wall and call yourself a composer—that’s not how it works. Otherwise, you’re just relying on luck,” he said.

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As for the Festival of Drum & Percussion Malaysia, now in its sixth edition, it is a vibrant event that showcases a wide variety of drums, gendang, and percussion instruments, blending rhythms and sounds from diverse cultures.

Taking place over a single day, from 10 a.m. to 11 pm, Jin said the festival’s main objective is to promote the art of drumming and percussion while contributing to Malaysia's creative industry. It also aims to highlight the diversity of percussion instruments and techniques through talks, workshops, and performances.

“We want to show that local talent is just as remarkable as international musicians, and this festival provides the best platform to showcase their abilities,” he said, adding that the event will also feature exhibitions, music instrument sales, and lucky draws.

-- BERNAMA