29 Oct Rosalie and Other Love Songs by Saidah Rastam | A Celebration

Venue: Penang House of Music, Level 4, KOMTAR
Date: Sunday 5 November 2017, 4.00pm–6.00pm

A celebration of the publication of the new edition of ‘Rosalie and Other Love Songs’ by Saidah Rastam.
→ Illustrated talk
→ Q&A | Signing session
→ Music by the James Boyle Trio and Bihzhu
→ Refreshments

Beautiful music, born from an eclectic mix of cultures, was created in Malaya in the period leading up to country’s independence in 1957. But this cultural history has yet to be told, until now. Saidah Rastam draws on extensive interviews with those who made that history, corroborating and elaborating this testimony by trawling through contemporary newspaper cuttings, and referencing hundreds of songs and scores of films. As a point of entry into this fascinating story, she explores the controversies surrounding the provenance of Malaysia’s national anthem, ‘Negara Ku’, and embroiders a kind of detective story, drawing the reader into broader, contextual issues to do with culture, politics and society. The result is an innovative and perceptive account: well researched, splendidly constructed, deeply knowledgeable, beautifully illustrated and stylishly written in a way that captures the very musicality of its topic. The first edition of Rosalie and Other Love Songs was enthusiastically received, and this new, revised edition will be welcomed by all those with an interest in Malaysian culture and history, as well as fans of popular music worldwide.

‘Written with passion and clarity, exhaustively researched and lavishly illustrated, this enlightening and inspiring book will resonate with all Malaysians.’ – Tan Twan Eng

‘There is no other book like it on our country.’ – Kathy Rowland, ArtsEquator

‘Rosalie … may turn out to be the single most important volume written so far on Malaysian musical history.’ – Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin, Malay Mail