Budaya Merentasi Dunia
Senarai Lagu
01
Bintang Suray, Che Yang bersama Lincoln's Orchestra (sekitar 1938)
Sebuah lagu bergaya Keroncong menampilkan penyanyi Che Yang diiringi oleh Lincoln’s Orchestra. Keroncong merupakan sebuah genre muzik tradisional yang berasal dari Kepulauan Indonesia dengan pengaruh muzik Portugis dan meraih populariti di Singapura dan Tanah Melayu. Dipimpin oleh pemain biola David Lincoln, Lincoln’s Orchestra yang berpangkalan di Singapura sering mengiringi penyanyi-penyanyi Tanah Melayu terkenal dan merakam lagu di bawah label Columbia.
Sumber: Ihsan daripada Paul Lincoln
02
Tengah Malam, Miss Tijah bersama Lincoln's Orchestra (sekitar 1940-an)
Lagu Keroncong ini menampilkan Miss Tijah, bintang teater Bangsawan dari Singapura. Bangsawan merupakan genre teater Melayu yang berasal dari Pulau Pinang dengan pengaruh Teater Parsi dari India pada penghujung abad ke-19. Genre ini meraih populariti di seluruh rantau Nusantara sehingga tahun 1940-an.
Sumber: Ihsan daripada Paul Lincoln
03
Nona Zaman Sekarang, A. Rahman bersama Orkestra Lincoln (sekitar 1940-an)
Sebuah lagu berirama jazz yang ceria tentang kebebasan dan cita rasa fesyen ‘wanita moden’. Lagu ini digubah oleh Yusof B. dan dipersembahkan oleh A. Rahman, seorang penyanyi popular pada era itu.
Sumber: Ihsan daripada Paul Lincoln
04
Di Dalam Masa Nippon, Mohd Yatim (sekitar 1949)
Lagu pasca-perang yang menggambarkan kesusahan hidup seperti kekurangan makanan semasa zaman pendudukan Jepun, dikenangkan nada jenaka. Muziknya meniru skala pentatonik ‘Jepun’ atau Timur Jauh, manakala penyanyinya menggunakan loghat orang Cina tempatan.
Sumber: Ihsan daripada The Paul Augustin Collection
05
Rose, Rose I Love You, Zainal Alam (1955)
Versi pelbagai bahasa lagu Mandarin popular tahun 1940, Méiguì méiguì wǒ ài nǐ, yang dipersembahkan oleh penyanyi kelahiran Pulau Pinang, Zainal Alam, dalam Bahasa Inggeris, Mandarin, Tamil, dan Melayu.
Sumber: Ihsan daripada The Paul Augustin Collection
06
Elections Song (I’m Gonna Do It), Zainal Alam (1955)
Sebuah lagu oleh Zainal Alam yang mengajak rakyat Malaya untuk mendaftar dan mengundi dalam Pilihan Raya Umum pertama pada 27 Julai 1955. Zainal Alam merupakan salah seorang pengacara awal Radio Malaya dan bekas Pengarah Penyiaran Radio Televisyen Malaya (RTM).
Sumber: Ihsan daripada The Paul Augustin Collection
07
Kota Melaka, Rokiah Wanda (sekitar 1958)
Gabungan muzik asli Melayu dengan rentak Latin, lagu ini mengisahkan Melaka pada zaman kegemilangan lalunya, serta kehidupan harian para nelayan di Selat Melaka. Dipersembahkan oleh Rokiah Wanda, penyanyi dan pelakon Johor yang terkenal pada tahun 1940-an dan 1950-an.
Sumber: Ihsan daripada The Paul Augustin Collection
08
Elo Elo Song
Sebuah lagu kerja Tamil dari ladang getah zaman pra-Merdeka, yang digubah semula oleh penyanyi Raja Letchumy yang membesar di sebuah ladang getah di Johor.
Sumber: Projek Araro Ariraro, arahan Gogularaajan Rajendran, terbitan Kumanavannan Rajendran.
09
Petikan Wayang Boneka Teochew, Pulau Pinang
Wayang Boneka Teochew merupakan sebuah genre teater Cina yang unik, menghidupkan cerita rakyat dan dongeng melalui permainan wayang boneka yang mahir. Genre teater yang semakin langka ini masih diamalkan oleh beberapa adiguru dan penggiat seni di Pulau Pinang.
Sumber: Ihsan daripada PUSAKA
10
Mak Yong, Kuala Besut, Terengganu
Irama rebab dan gong dipersembahkan oleh Kumpulan Mak Yong Cahaya Matahari. Mak Yong merupakan sebuah genre dramatari Melayu tradisional yang berasal dari negeri Kelantan di Malaysia dan wilayah Patani di selatan Thailand.
Sumber: Ihsan daripada PUSAKA
On 15 December 2025, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim signed a commemorative plaque marking the historic completion of the restoration of Seri Negara. The ceremony signified the return of this landmark building to the public following an extensive conservation effort led by Khazanah Nasional Berhad under Dana Warisan and Warisan KL.
In his address, the Prime Minister emphasised that the preservation of heritage is not merely an exercise in revisiting history, but an act of giving meaning to independence and national identity. He reminded the audience that freedom was never attained without sacrifice, noting that the nation’s story is marked by hardship and struggle — by sweat, blood and tears — and that younger generations must understand this inheritance.
Reflecting on the building’s past as a symbol of colonial elitism, he underscored that Seri Negara now carries renewed significance. No longer an exclusive enclave, it has been redefined as a space belonging to all. Within the framework of Malaysia MADANI, he stressed the principle of inclusivity, affirming that schoolchildren, young people and ordinary citizens must be able to claim this place as their own — as citizens of a sovereign and independent nation.
He further described the restoration as an endeavour to be enjoyed and embraced by all Malaysians, one in which they may take pride as an expression of the true meaning of independence.
This commemorative plaque therefore signifies more than a formal inauguration. It marks a profound shift in meaning — from a monument of colonial authority to a living, inclusive heritage landmark. It records the moment Seri Negara was reclaimed as a public cultural space, a platform for historical learning, and a symbol of national pride for present and future generations.
Further Reference
“The Sultan’s Abduction”, New Straits Times
https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2017/04/235140/sultans-abduction
Grand Staircase
During the 1989 conversion of this building into a heritage boutique hotel, Seri Negara’s grand timber staircase was reconstructed to accommodate the new hotel layout. One of the key conservation achievements was the reinstatement of the staircase’s original orientation guided by archival research and early floor plans. The grand staircase now stands restored in locally sourced Merbau timber.
Porte Cochere Steps
Over the years, the lower steps at the Porte Cochere entrance had gradually been buried beneath raised road levels,obscuring the originalproportions. The profile of the steps was also altered and overlaid with new layers of mosaic and ceramic tiles. The restoration uncovered these steps and refurbished them to their original profile, revealing their authentic form once more.
Demolition of New Extensions
As part of the conservation works, physical extensions introduced over the years were carefully dismantled. The removal of these internal and external additions was essential to returning the building to its original massing and architectural integrity.
Reinstatement of Transom Windows
Old photographs and historical drawings provided vital evidence for restoring several framed transom windows to their original design.Louvered windows were replaced in accordance with authentic details, while corniceswere reconstructed based on the 1924 architectural drawings.
Building Materials Restoration
The timber flooringand supporting joists were restored using solid Merbau hardwood, while roof trusses and tiles were renewed to match the original materialsas closely as possible. The roof reinstatement included Marseille tiles, consistent with the building’s early fabric.