THIS year’s National Day Parade is touted as a bicentennial celebration.
But, more importantly, it’s the 54th year of Singapore’s independence.
And it will also likely be remembered for Ramli Sarip’s rendition of the National Anthem, Majulah Singapura.
An impromptu jam with NDP 2019 music director, Dr Sydney Tan, resulted in Ramli’s “golden moment”, performing to the anthem to the nation.
Ramli is known for starting the rock band Sweet Charity and also for his refusal to trim his long hair. His career as a singer and songwriter has resulted in numerous awards, record-selling albums with Sweet Charity and as a solo artist, and sellout concerts in the region.
Ramli talks about how he landed the plum role of performing at the Padang on 9 August. He explains what the anthem means to him and its symbolism.
And we feature the video of the original jam session between Ramli and Sydney.
When Ramli Met Sydney, the soul flowed resulting in a new rendition of Majulah Singapura. The National Anthem was originally composed by the late Zubir Said in 1958 as the official song of the City Council of Singapore.
