While many may assume the song was originally sung by Malay artistes, its heartfelt performance was the work of talented local Indian musicians. The song was recorded in 1985 by sisters Helen Savari, 62, and Irene Savari, 61, who formed the pop duo Cenderawasih.
Irene said “Bersama Di Hari Raya” was written and composed by Syed Haron for EMI Malaysia’s Hari Raya compilation album, with production by the late S Atan.
“At the time, Cenderawasih was gaining recognition after the success of our debut album, ‘Sepanjang Perjalanan Ini’, which achieved gold status in 1984. We felt honoured and privileged to be given the opportunity to sing a Raya song despite being non-Muslims.
“When we received the music notes and lyrics in the recording studio, we worked out our vocal harmonies and recorded it. We sang to bare tracks with only piano, bass and drums. After our vocals were recorded, Datuk Atan added more instrumentation and produced the song and album,” she told Bernama.
Since its release, Irene, who is also the president and chief executive officer of the International College of Music, said the song has remained a staple during Hari Raya celebrations, with many unaware of its origins.
“We often hear from younger generations who are surprised to learn that we are the original singers. They assumed it was performed by Malay artistes, which speaks to the power of music in transcending racial and cultural boundaries,” she said.
Older fans, Irene noted, remember the ’80s as a time when multicultural engagement in Malaysia was a natural part of life. “Music is a powerful glue that unites us, and we are humbled that this song continues to bring people together.”
With the song’s enduring popularity, Irene hopes it will continue to be a unifying force, encouraging Malaysians to embrace the spirit of togetherness during Raya.
“Given the opportunity, Helen and I would love to record a new Raya song or even a reimagined version of ‘Bersama Di Hari Raya’ for our fans, young and old,” she said, adding that her sister now lives in Zurich, Switzerland.
Beyond Cenderawasih, other non-Malay artistes have made their mark on Raya music. Songs such as DJ Dave’s “Menjelang Hari Raya” and “Meriah Syawal”, along with the Alleycats’ “Berita Dari Rantau” and “Hari Raya Gemilang”, remain festive favourites – proving the timeless appeal of their tunes.
Meanwhile, Chinese artistes such as 3P (“Syawal Berseri”), 1119 Dance House Crew (“Raya Ria”) and Douglas Lim (“Aidilfitri di Malaysia”) have also added their own creative touch.