#SHOWBIZ: Zubir Khan dreams big

FAST becoming a household name, talented singer Zubir Ali Khan admits that growing up with a disability was challenging.

A nasty accident robbed the 25-year-old of part of his right arm when he was only 4.

“Even though doctors initially succeeded in re-attaching it, that part of my arm that was severed eventually went numb and had to be rid of.

“The accident took place in my father’s bakery in Sepang where my hand accidentally got into an industrial dough-mixer.”

Reflecting on growing up, Zubir said living without a limb made him feel “abnormal and inadequate” at times.

“I did not suffer much from teasing and bullying in school but there were times when people looked at me while whispering to their friends or family.

“It did upset me a bit but getting support from my family made me feel much better and positive about my life,” said Zubir, the youngest child in his family.

“I am always thankful that my parents and elder siblings were always there to support and encourage me.

“My family is my backbone. Whenever I felt that I couldn’t do something, they encouraged me until I did it.

“They kept reminding me that I needed to believe in myself, and thanks to them, I can now do many things.”

Zubir believes that everyone has a handicap.

“When I look at the bigger picture of things, I realise that all of us lack one thing or another, but each of us has a gift from God which we ought to use to the fullest.

“In my case, it is singing in languages other than my mother tongue of Malay,” he said.

Zubir chose singing not to motivate himself but because of his interest.

“I really love to sing and perform in front of people, along with prayers from my family, my mum especially, I have come this far and thank God for it.”

Zubir, who excels in singing Tamil songs and is a self-taught recording artiste, lives by a simple saying that his parents taught him: if God takes something away, He gives you something more in return.

Zubir had many Indian and Chinese friends in the oil palm estate in Sepang, where he spent his first three years.

“Everyone in the estate spoke Tamil and mingled without racial barriers,” he said.

Zubir picked up the language and improved his command of it through conversations with friends, and by listening to Tamil music.

“I can also speak Urdu, which I learnt from my father.

“I am learning Mandarin with a little help from my elder brother, who learnt the language much earlier.”

Zubir acquired a love of music from his father, who was a part-time musician in the estate.

“I was more into music, especially Indian music. I loved watching Tamil and Hindi movies.”

Zubir is a big fan of Tamil music composer and performer Anirudh Ravichander.

“He is the greatest Tamil playback singer, and I grew up enjoying his music.

“If I have a chance, I would really love to perform in Chennai, India along with my idol. That would be a dream come true.”

Zubir uploaded videos of his singing online in 2019, but he did not have high hopes.

The response was overwhelming — one of his videos hit 500,000 views and another hit a million.

Zubir quickly became a household name as the first Malay singer to perform his own Tamil songs.

In 2023, the song ‘Yennode Macha’, which was composed by Music Kitchen and penned by Zubir, catapulted him to nationwide fame.

“This catchy song, which means ‘My Friend’, became a hit in the Tamil and Malay music markets,” Zubir said.

If Zubir were not a singer, he might have pursued medicine as it was his mother’s wish for him to become a doctor.

“I might even have become a chef! This is something that not a lot of people know about.

“I can cook, for instance, curry and briyani,” he said proudly.

The future is set to be interesting for Zubir.

“I hope to release an album and single. I am also going to be more active on social media, posting content and doing covers for my fans.”

As for his advice to fans, Zubir said: “Born special is not a flaw.

“The key is not giving up and to stop looking for flaws but start looking for your talents and good qualities.

‘That way, you will love yourself more and reach for the stars.”

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© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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