Disabled boy inspires 50 glorious years (and counting) of DJ Dave era

 

DJ Dave has over the past five decades established himself as singer, writer, producer, mentor artiste and philanthropist. (DJ Dave pic)

PETALING JAYA: In 1971, a postal clerk was invited by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) to sing Hindi songs at a Hari Raya show for spastic children.

After the singer finished singing Mohammed Rafi’s “Gustakhi Maaf” (Forgive Me), a cerebral palsy-stricken 14-year-old boy suggested that he record the song in Bahasa Malaysia.

The boy on crutches felt the melodious tune would be a hit Malay song. He was right.

A year later, the song became known as “Maafkanlah”, a megahit that introduced DJ Dave to the nation and neighbouring countries.

“Maafkanlah” was No 1 in the Malay charts for 13 consecutive weeks and had everyone singing the opening line of the song written by A Jalil, “Duhai jelita hatiku” (Oh my beautiful heart).

Together with three other tunes in the extended play record (EP), Dave became the first non-Malay to release songs in Bahasa Malaysia.

For a singer who struggled to speak proper Bahasa Malaysia and because of that failed his first recording audition, Dave went on to produce 43 top albums and grab numerous awards over the past five decades.

“The brief experience with the disabled kid has had a profound effect on my life and music and I am thankful to him for inspiring me to sing Hindi songs in Bahasa Malaysia.

“He’s one of the reasons why I have celebrated my birthdays with kids with disabilities and other less fortunate children,” said Dave, who took the name Irwan Shah after embracing Islam.

Today, Dave is an established singer, writer, producer, mentor to young artistes, philanthropist and entrepreneur. He is an industry himself.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Dave’s career in entertainment and 50 years of celebrating his birthday with underprivileged children.

The veteran singer celebrated his 74th birthday on Feb 14 with children at the Taman Megah Handicapped Children’s Home in Petaling Jaya. (YKAT pic)

On Valentine’s Day on Feb 14, Dave turned 74 and hosted a party for over 100 children at the Taman Megah Handicapped Children’s Home in Petaling Jaya.

The heart-tugging story of Dave will help many spread a little more kindness around.

As a 10-year-old in Tanjung Malim, he sold cow’s milk for 30 cents a bottle and 11 years later made his showbiz debut over black and white television in 1969, singing Hindi songs.

His mother, Karam Kaur, who was 14 years old and seven months pregnant when Dave was born prematurely, sang soulful Lata Mangeshkar songs to him in his growing years.

“She spread love through her singing and influenced me to sing Hindi and English songs at an early age,” said Dave, who was born in Kuala Kubu Bharu and raised in Kampar and Tanjung Malim.

Dave slipped into depression when his mother died in a road accident at the age of 58 in 1990 but picked himself up with the help of his father, Jagjit.

Jagjit Singh, who encouraged his son Dave to adopt a sense of caring, feeding him a slice of the birthday cake at a party for some 180 children from five homes in 2011. (DJ Dave pic)

He said his father, who was a tailor cum school bus driver and had three cows in his early years, often preached that “without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community”.

Jagjit, who later served as priest of the Tanjung Malim Gurdwara for 42 years, attended Dave’s birthday parties with underprivileged children and lived to see him set up Yayasan Artis 1Malaysia. He died in 2016.

The foundation, which was set up in 2012 and later renamed Yayasan Kebajikan Artis Tanahair (YKAT), looks after the welfare of ageing and ailing entertainers.

Dave’s love for disabled children regrettably cost him his job at the Section 17 post office, Petaling Jaya, in 1975.

He tendered his resignation with 24-hour notice and gave up one month’s pay when he was denied leave to celebrate his birthday at a home for the handicapped.

“I had to keep my promise to sing for less fortunate children, feed them and make donations to various homes on my birthday,” said Dave.

Although Dave was already a celebrity when he quit his job, he did have an uneasy start to his career in entertainment.

Dave said his first audition in 1971 at Life Studio in Petaling Jaya was a disaster as the resident band, The Strollers, and the studio executives were unimpressed with his command of Bahasa Malaysia.

The disappointment forced him to converse only in Bahasa Malaysia with his office colleagues and friends.

Six months later, he went back to the same studio for another audition and received mixed reaction.

Dave had spent RM200 to record “Maafkanlah” and three other songs with a Tamil band called Uthayasoorian but the tracks were initially not released “because someone felt they weren’t good enough.”

The studio boss however felt differently and wanted the songs released. A star was born and a contract with EMI spawned another chartbuster, “Ingin Bersua” in 1972.

At that time, M Shariff and The Zurah were already doing Hindi songs in Bahasa Malaysia but Dave’s melodies, according to a record reviewer, “powerfully promoted the Muhibbah (goodwill) spirit among every ethnic group in the country”.

It was also a period when Bollywood songs and movies were highly popular among Malaysians, with “Haathi Mere Saathi” (Elephant My Partner) running continuously for six months in some cinemas.

Dave likens the power of music to that of the force of sports, “as both are able to break social, cultural and religious barriers”.

Even as a septuagenarian, Dave cuts his trim figure of yesteryear, starting his day with breathing exercise, push-ups, sit-ups and squats.

DJ Dave, who has been in smashing form at international senior badminton, will play in the All-England veterans competition next month. (DJ Dave pic)

He has been a smash hit in veterans’ badminton since making his debut at the 2013 World Morning Cup in Taiwan, where he won silver medals in the singles and doubles.

Next month, he will feature in the singles and doubles at the All-England veterans’ competition, adding another impressive chapter to his mission of good health, fostering love and unity, friendship and goodwill. - FMT