Download or read book Zubir Said written by Rohana Zubir and published by Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. This book was released on 2012 with total page 303 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Zubir Said is best known as the composer of Majulah Singapura, the national anthem of Singapore; Semoga Bahagia, the Singapore school anthem; and Melayu Raya. Born into a humble and religious family in Sumatra where music was considered haram, at 21 he set out to seek his fortune in Singapore, attracted initially by the glittering lights and the availability of butter and kopi susu, but soon by the opportunities it offered him to pursue his dreams. Armed with his first musical instrument, a bamboo flute he had carved himself, and a basic knowledge of music number notations, Zubir taught himsel.