The track featured vocals by popular bangsawan singer Miss Aminah and was written by Tengku Alibasha and released by the HMV record label.In case you’re unfamiliar, bangsawan is a type of performing arts that consists of several elements, including music, theatre, and dance.
This performance mixes both Western and traditional Malay music and was extremely popular in the 20th century. Performers would often travel from one state to another in a troupe to perform their repertoires.In the 1930s and early 1940s, HMV dominated the recording scene, leading to the setting up of sister companies Chap Kuching, Chap Anjing, and Chap Singa.
The label would also organise events with a lineup of all the famous singers and bands in Malaya to sell their records. The lyrics to Aminah’s ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ are also simple and direct. They highlight Aidilfitri as the pinnacle and closure to Ramadan, a time for prayer, forgiveness, and mindfulness of the afterlife.Kepada ibu bapa saudara sekalian,Permulaan syawal, hai hari yang mulia,Paling utama bagi sesama manusia.