taken from The Star 14 Mac 2025
By MUMTAJ BEGUM
Datuk M. Nasir is inviting fans to celebrate Hari Raya with him... in the form of a concert.
The legendary artiste will be staging a one-of-a-kind show, Datuk MN46IR Cipta Raya, on April 13, where he will perform at least 20 songs, 17 of which are Raya-themed.
“When I was presented with the idea to do this concert, I was keen because it has that open house concept,” Nasir shared about the concert’s Raya-inspired setlist.
Beyond the music, attendees will also get to enjoy a special “juadah raya”, which starts at 6pm, before the concert kicks off at 8.30pm.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, ticket holders are encouraged to dress in their Hari Raya outfits to go with the “Glam Raya” theme, making it a complete Syawal experience.
“I’m also relieved because whenever I organise an open house, it proves to be too popular. So this year, I don’t have to worry about hosting one – (the concert organiser), Icon Entertainment, is taking care of that,” the 67-year-old joked at the recent press conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Cipta Raya is described as a spinoff of Nasir’s Cipta 2 concert in 2024, where he ended his set with the iconic Satu Hari Di Hari Raya, along with a gimmick that had people talking for weeks.
At that October 2024 concert, 10,000 ang pow packets containing RM1 were dropped from the roof of Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, taking the audience by surprise.
“Given the strong response and M. Nasir’s extensive Raya song catalogue – whether sung by him or composed for others – we thought, why not organise Cipta Raya as a festive Aidilfitri celebration?” said Iman Tang, the founder of Icon Entertainment.
Tang admitted that before planning this show, he hadn’t realised just how many Raya songs Nasir had written throughout his 46-year career.
Some are his own hits, while others have been performed by other Malaysian artistes such as Ramlah Ram and Datuk Hattan.
Nasir explained: “Through this concert, I can share with people the Raya songs I’ve composed.
"However, they will be presented in my own style, with new musical arrangements.
“I hope to perform 20 songs that go with with the Raya concept. Perhaps I’ll also include a song I composed for Al Jawaher (a leading Singaporean nasyid group from the late 1970s, featuring Nasir's sisters.).
"As for Raya songs that I love but weren’t composed by me, some of my favourites include Dendang Perantauan by the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee, Esok Hari Raya (Dr Sam) and Selamat Hari Raya (the late Datuk Ahmad Jais)," added Nasir, who is fondly known as Sifu in the Malaysian music industry.
When asked what elements make a Raya song truly stand out, Nasir replied: “The key element is kesyahduan – that deep, emotional essence that’s difficult to put into words.
"A good Raya song should evoke feelings, whether it’s nostalgia, sadness or joy.
“Like all great celebratory songs around the world, a Raya song should incorporate themes that resonate with the occasion."
The singer added that the lyrics must capture the emotions of Hari Raya, whether it’s the joy of reunion, the longing for loved ones or the feeling of gratitude.
“Unlike some other festivals, Hari Raya has a strong religious foundation, and that understanding should be reflected in the songwriting process too,” he said.
The three-hour concert will be held at Zepp Kuala Lumpur, a significantly smaller venue compared to Cipta 1 and Cipta 2 concerts.
Tang explained that this was intentional, as he wanted a more intimate setting where fans and the artiste could engage in conversations.
As for the big question of whether there will be ang pow packets this time, Tang said: “Of course, there will be Duit Raya! Maybe this time, instead of just RM1, we’ll include RM2, RM10 or even RM100."
Tang, who was also the organiser of Cipta 1 and Cipta 2 shows said he never expected the stunt to go viral the way it did.
"It was an unforgettable moment for me, and I hope this concert will create special memories for the audience as well,” he said.
Nasir added: “Cipta Raya is a very special concert that should be celebrated just like Raya itself – a day of victory for all of us.”
Tickets for Datuk M. N46IR Cipta Raya are on sale now at www.ticket2u.com.my/MNasirCiptaRaya, with prices ranging from RM258 to RM588. VIP Box tickets are available for RM10,000.
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