Childhood
Ning started singing professionally at the age of six by recording radio and television jingles and began formal studies in voice at the age of nine under the renowned Indonesian opera linguist and soprano Siti Chairani for five years. In that time, she also sang with the National Choir at the Akademi Seni Kebangsaan, and was offered a full scholarship in music at the prestigious Vienna Conservatoire, which she turned down). At the age of 16, Ning had won the 'Best Artiste Development' award at the prestigious Voice of Asia Competition.
Career
Ning crossed over into the commercial scene in 1992 and became a recording artiste under various international labels (Sony, BMG, AMS Records Japan, and currently Warner Music Group), where she recorded within the genres of pop and R&B. Her discography includes nine full studio albums (two of which are full English albums), as well as numerous compilations. Ning has also won various industry awards and prizes, and has performed in the UK, Italy, France, China, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Ning is best known for her live stage performances, an extensive repertoire and her versatility especially in cross-over projects. She is also an actor and has taken roles in a musical, seven major films, a short film and several tele-movies. Most significant is her critically acclaimed performance in the short film 'Malaikat Di Jendela' (Angel by My Window), directed by Osman Ali. The short film had participated in several film festivals in Cannes, Rotterdam and Singapore. Beside singing and acting, Ning is also a violinist and played 1st violin in the National Youth Orchestra in her teens.
In 2006, Ning set up her own recording company, 'Artiste United Records (AUR)'. Her stable of artistes are her proteges, Nicolette Palikat or 'Nikki' from Malaysian Idol Season 1) and Siti Surianie Julkarim (Yanie) (from Mentor Season 1). Ning is currently in the midst of recording both her latest English and Malay studio albums.
Commercial Endorsements
She has been the brand ambassador for TIME.com, IMEDEEN, F1 Malaysia, The Singapore Tourism Board, Curlers & Trimmers, Yuzari Batik, and has had strong brand associations with Christian DIOR couture, Christian DIOR parfums, the Carat Club and REDKEN in the past. NING is currently the brand ambassador for SSANGYONG and was recently appointed the Judo Ambassador by the Judo Association of Selangor to create awareness of self-defence for women.
Personal Life
Ning was engaged to Omar Shariff Christopher Layton Dalton on 19 July 2007. Omar Shariff (His name after converting to Islam on 7th July 2007) from Nottingham, United Kingdom is a regional Consulting Director for Landmark Graphics for Asia Pacific Region. The couple has said they plan to marry by January 2008.
Controversies
In 1996, Ning's first professional manager created a stir when it was alleged that he had cheated her out of significant revenue.
In 1998, Ning performed in Singapore wearing a "tank top". Criticism in the Malaysian media was swift as her choice of clothing was deemed "inappropriate" for a Muslim woman.
In the July 2000 issue of the Malaysian version of FHM (For Him Magazine), Ning gave a tell-all interview where she mentioned, among other things, that she prefers G-string underwear, she likes sex in the morning, and that her personal fantasy was to sleep with five guys at the same time. Initially, this English-language interview was little noticed by the general Malaysian society. But within a few weeks, a translation of the interview appeared in a popular and widely-read Malay-language daily newspaper. Public outrage in predominantly Muslim Malaysia was immediate and widespread and Ning was subsequently ordered to appear at the Malaysia Ministry of Information. FHM magazine was subject to increased scrutiny by Malaysian authorities.
Useful website links:
http://www.myspace.com/ningbaizura
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ning_Baizura
***note: previous version contained links to her manager's blog, seeing it was inappropriate to be placed here, therefore was removed from this version***
Penjara Kasih
Ning Baizura Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Rela ku berdiam diri
Menelan segala apa kau idamkan
Asal jangan menuduh, ku tak mengenang jasa
Gerak langkah dan tindakan
Bukannya datang dariku
Segala dikawal malah diawasi
Bagai ikan dalam kaca yang berharga
Berenang-renang tak berkawan
Aku perhiasan mata
Pada yang sudi memandang
Jari-jemari yang tidak membelai
Terhalang oleh kaca berharga
Dalam hati bergelora
Tuhan saja mendengarnya
Semakin disimpan makin menyiksakan
Jikalau diluahkan kelak putus ikatan
Bagai ikan dalam kaca yang berharga
Berenang-renang tak berkawan
Aku perhiasan mata
Pada yang sudi memandang
Jari-jemari yang tidak membelai
Terhalang oleh kaca berharga
Bagai ikan dalam kaca yang berharga
Berenang-renang tak berkawan
Aku perhiasan mata
Pada yang sudi memandang
Jari-jemari yang tidak membelai
Terhalang oleh kaca berharga, hu-hu
In Ning Baizura's song Penjara Kasih, the lyrics convey a sense of being trapped and unable to express oneself freely. The singer describes their situation as akin to being a valuable fish swimming in a glass tank, isolated and unable to interact with others. They say that they must guard their heart and remain silent, swallowing everything the other person desires, as long as they don't make accusations and forget that the singer owes them anything. The other person seems to be in control of the singer's movements and actions, observing and monitoring everything they do. The singer feels trapped and sets up rules for themselves to avoid escalating the situation and making things worse.
The final verse expresses the turmoil within the singer, being unable to express their feelings and desires for fear of worsening the situation. They feel like a precious jewel behind a barrier, admired by those who bother to look but unable to be touched. The frustration caused by keeping those feelings trapped inside only grows stronger, and the singer expresses a hope of being able to break free from that prison of isolation and unspoken desires. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of being trapped in a toxic relationship, unable to express oneself fully and constantly monitoring one's words and actions to avoid negative consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
Kerana menjaga hati
I choose to keep quiet and hold back my emotions to avoid hurting anyone
Rela ku berdiam diri
I am willing to stay silent and not speak my mind
Menelan segala apa kau idamkan
I am willing to accept everything you desire and agree with it
Asal jangan menuduh, ku tak mengenang jasa
I just hope you don't accuse me of not being grateful for what you've done for me
Gerak langkah dan tindakan
Every step and action I take is being closely watched and controlled
Bukannya datang dariku
I am not the one who initiates these actions and decisions
Segala dikawal malah diawasi
Everything is being monitored and supervised
Jikalau ku membantah pasti dosa bertambah
If I were to speak out and disagree, it will only increase my sins
Bagai ikan dalam kaca yang berharga
I feel like a precious fish stuck in a bowl
Berenang-renang tak berkawan
Swimming alone without any companionship
Aku perhiasan mata
I am a sight to behold
Pada yang sudi memandang
Only those who are willing to look can see my worth
Jari-jemari yang tidak membelai
My fingers that are not being touched
Terhalang oleh kaca berharga
Blocked by this precious glass
Dalam hati bergelora
Feelings are boiling inside my heart
Tuhan saja mendengarnya
Only God can hear them
Semakin disimpan makin menyiksakan
The longer I keep them, the more painful it becomes
Jikalau diluahkan kelak putus ikatan
If I were to express my true feelings, it might break our bond
Terhalang oleh kaca berharga, hu-hu
Blocked by this precious glass, hu-hu
Writer(s): Jari, Lukhman S
Contributed by Aaliyah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@melissarazif3988
Lagu legend!
@MrKolawak
Besttt..
@syahidamohd5254
Love love 💕 nov2020
@cikguimanshah
best song ever
@tiaramanja
Best song equivalent to denting by Nelly... melancholic....1995 until now....
@garycxcy
my soul my heart
@anilasnatnidimah2311
Julai2020😪
@ifahaleyfa5599
👍