They Get Better As They Get Older

Who says you need to get stoned in order to give the best in your performance on stage? Look at these old folks at Gala Seni Serumpun event. By listening to their voices last night at PWTC, Kuala Lumpur, I wondered - do people sing so much better when they get so much older. AND they don’t smoke pot before or in between shows.

With my other-half just a heartbeat away, we sat back and enjoyed the melodious voices of the veteran entertainers’ and the fresh voices of the new comers’ from Malaysia and Indonesia, blending beautifully with each other.

Clockwise (top to bottom): Azlina Aziz and Nassier Wahab (MAL), Nassier Wahab (MAL), Ernie Djohan (IND), Fredo (MAL)

Clockwise (top to bottom): Wirdaningsih and Ratih Purnamasari (IND), Zally Hussain (MAL), Anita Sarawak (MAL), Titiek Puspa (IND)

Clockwise (top to bottom): Bob Tutupoly (IND), Ahmad Jais (MAL), Farahwahida (MAL), Mawi (MAL)

Clockwise (top to bottom): Acha Septriasa (IND), Irwansyah (IND), Azharina (MAL), Elly Kassim (IND)

The gala was organised with the cooperation of the Malaysian National Broadcasters’ Association, the Indonesian Film Artistes’ Association and the Malaysian Malay Chamber of Commerce, in aid of the National Cancer Council and Seniman’s Welfare Fund. Creatively, they crafted the event in such a manner that the Seniman would present the Anugerah Bintang Seniman to nine Indonesian artistes for their contributions to regional entertainment while the Indonesians would present nine Malaysian artistes with the Anugerah Seni PARFI. Fauziah Ahmad Daud (Ogy) and Wirdaningsih were the emcees of the night. Among the VIPs seen in the hall were Information Minister Dato’ Zainuddin Mydin, Dato’ Jins Samsudin, Dato’ Yusof Haslam, Dato’ Aziz Satar, Dato’ Rahim Razali, Sarimah, Mariani (Saloma’s sister), Rosnani Jamil, Umi Kalthom and Indonesian actress Yenie Rachman.

Bob Tutupoly sang ‘Widuri’ and he sounded exactly like the late Broery Marantika. He sang perfectly well that he almost brought me close to heaven. There were also Dato’ Shake (MAL), Shawn Bahrin (MAL), Trio Bimbo (IND) and Roy (MAL), who came out energetically on the stage. Call me old-fashioned chic… like I care so much, but that actually shows I have a soft heart inside to really know how to take pleasure in evergreen music.