This is the holy month of Ramadhan. Here is wishing all Muslim, Selamat Menunaikan Ibadah Berpuasa. In a month’s time, Raya would be celebrated all around the world.
During Hari Raya, you would hear the evergreen Raya song by Datuk Sharifah Aini, a popular singer being played on air and around shopping complexes. In fact, this song has been playing in my head for a few days now. I thought that I would be good to attempt to translate the song in English for the benefit of foreign visitors who wishes to know the meaning of the song.
The song really conveys the warmth and hospitality of our Muslim friends who hold open house. If you have the good fortune of visiting a Raya open house, you would umderstand what I mean. But due to covid, sadly the celebrations have been scaled down.
I really love this video as you can see seated next to Datuk Sharifah Aini is Dato’ Jamal Abdillah (in purple colour baju Melayu), another popular Malay singer. Next to him is Rohana Jalil and then Man Bai (former lead singer of Kumpulan Gersang). This video would have been decades ago as the stars were younger than. Makes a wonderful nostalgic memory.
Datuk Sharifah Aini- Suasana Hari Raya lyrics with English Translation
Hai selamat hari raya
Hie Happy Hari Raya
Kami semua ucapkan
We all wish you
Menikmati hidangan
(Let’s) enjoy the cuisine
Yang kami sediakan
That we have prepared (for you)
Sila jamu selera
Please savour
Dengan bermacam hidangan
With various cuisine
Pilih yang mana suka
Choose from the array of food (that you) like
Sila janganlah segan
Please do not be shy
The above is how ketupat, rendang and various Raya kuih looks like. Isn’t it just simply mouthwatering?
Rasalah ketupat ini
Come taste this ketupat
Dengan rendangnya sekali
with its rendang together
Sudilah rasa kuihku
Please try my cakes/desserts
Pilihlah yang mana satu
Just choose whichever one
Hai di hari begini
Hie on such this day
Kita menjamu selera
We savour and please our appetite
Kita bermaaf-maafan
We ask forgiveness as well as forgive other
Di suasana hari raya
in the festivity of Hari Raya
Repeat from Start again.
To view the common food sold in Ramadhan Bazaar, please check out the video below:
