MIRI: A prominent musician of traditional music from Sarawak, Narawi Rashidi did the state proud when he received the ‘Anugerah Karyawan Seni’ from the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry recently.

He is the first Sarawakian to receive the award since its introduction in 1993.

Narawi received the prestigious award at the 2008 8th National Arts Award (Anugerah Seni Negara Ke-8 2008) presentation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.

The award leaves a tenacious memory for Narawi as he had a double momentous joy – not only was he overjoyed at his achievement, but he made Sarawak proud as well for being the first in the state to be chosen as the recipient of the special award.

Along with the award, Narawi also brought home RM10,000 cash plus a trophy and a certificate of appreciation.

Narawi, who is better known as Narawi CD in Sarawak, had been involved in the music industry since 1979 and had been part of the brass band of Saberkas.

He had also been actively involved in training thousands of youths in the state of various ages, race and religion in music on a voluntary basis.

Narawi’s contributions did not go unrecognised as the state government had awarded him the Tokoh Belia or Model Youth award in 1996.

He had also been active in promoting Sarawak traditional music through the Social Development and Urbanisation Ministry from 1980 to 1988 before joining Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV).

The award presentation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur was graced by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

The Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah; Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and his deputy Teng Boon Soon were also present.

The National Arts Award is a government initiative made through the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry to show an appreciation to art lovers who had helped project the image of the country through arts.

It is in fact recognition from the government for art activists, composers and artistes who had shown fine leadership and contributed to the development of the art in the country.

The award which was divided into six cultural arts categories, including music, dance, theatre and film had also acknowledged 36 other recipients in every field ventured.

Narawi who is attached to SCV was one of them and received the award under the Music Composer Category.

A very popular and famous Malay veteran actor of the 1960s, Tan Sri Jins Shamsuddin topped the list of recipients at the award presentation ceremony.

He received the ‘Warkah Penghormatan Negara’ award plus RM60,000 in cash and a trophy.

Jins also walked away with a pair of Malay traditional ‘songket’ and a recommendation for first class medical treatment at a government hospital.

The other recipients were Datin Paduka Shuhaimi Baba, Fauziah Nawi, Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan, Norsiah Yatim (dancer), Rosyam Noor and Aziz M Osman.