TANJUNG MALIM: Celebrated singer and music maestro Datuk M. Nasir says the honorary doctorate in performing arts he received from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) is the pinnacle of his 45-year artistic career.
"To me, this is a tremendous honour, and UPSI has been among others closely following the progress of my work," he said.
"This recognition also signals that UPSI is among the institutions actively supporting and elevating the arts to the highest level," he said during an interview after the 26th UPSI convocation ceremony at the Sultan Azlan Shah Campus Hall.
Earlier, Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim, awarded the honorary doctorate to the 67-year-old singer from Bukit Panjang, Singapore.
M. Nasir, whose full name is Mohd Nasir Mohamed, shared that he will maintain his regular artistic activities and is planning to produce a film soon.
Meanwhile, Datuk Nash, the lead vocalist of Lefthanded, also known as Nashrudin Elias, insisted that age is no barrier in obtaining a Master's in Performing Arts through APEL Q.
The 65-year-old singer said that he completed his studies, which started in January 2022, in two years.
"I faced several challenges initially, but the support from my instructors and family kept me motivated to complete my Master's," said Nash, a native of Muar, Johor.
Nash explained that his decision to further his education was driven by a desire to broaden his understanding of performing arts, which encompasses a multitude of disciplines.
"Many people perceive the arts as mere entertainment, but upon closer examination, the arts are truly multifaceted. It's not only about singing, dancing, or acting; it also involves the knowledge of managing those elements to ensure the quality of the final product," he concluded – Bernama.
