A Star on the Rise

The crowd focused on him as he made his way to the center of the stage. Once again, he mesmerized everyone with his singing. The crowd clapped as the music slowed down and he began to make his way down the stage. Another performance done.

Azarul Rais Mansor, 24, may not entirely be known by everyone in University of Malaya. But he is quite celebrated in 5th Residential College (Dayasari) and also 7th Residential College (Za’ba). Azarul whom preferred to be called Zarul, is gifted with melodious voice. Some might even say his voice is angelic – and this is the reason why he is quite famous in certain residential colleges. He represented Za’ba Residential College for Festival Seni Universiti Malaya (FESENI) in nasyid and also solo singing competition. Zarul managed to be the winner of the nasyid competition and the runner up for the solo singing competition.

“I never thought I can be where I am now.” said Azarul when asked whether he had ever dreamed of achieving what he achieved now. He never imagined he will ever be a singer. “I just enjoy singing in the bathroom. That was my stage back then and my audience are none other than my family and cat.” Of course he had the ambition when he was a boy, but as he grows up he kind of just forgets his childhood dream. “Deep down in my heart I want to be a singer. I guess life just got in the way and I realized I had other ambitions too.” Azarul is currently an undergraduate studying Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry.

Zarul admits to have entered Akademi Fantasia two years ago. Akademi Fantasia or better known as AF is a singing competition where its participants must go through an audition and only the best 14 will be chosen. The chosen ones will then be trained to become the best singer with weekly assessment. Nevertheless he denied that is the reason why he was offered to sing inside University of Malaya. “To be completely honest, not a lot of people know I once entered Akademi Fantasia. And I did not even win the competition, so I would say FESENI is the starting point of my career as a singer.” For those who is a fan of FESENI UM knows that every competition held was not judged by any ordinary people. It will be judged by someone big in the industry or someone who knows a lot regarding that field.

Azarul began to took part in singing competition ever since in primary school. He has been involved in FESENI UM since he was a first year student. He did not become the lead singer right away. He begins with being the backup singer and gradually made his way as the lead. It requires a lot of effort and sacrifices – especially sacrifices of time and energy.

Az-Zahran Fawwaz performing at FESENI UM

During this year’s nasyid competition that was held on 16th March, Zarul and his team, Az-Zahran Fawwaz became the winner of the Nasyid competition. They then represented UM to compete in an Asean Nasyid Festival at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) last April. Suprisingly, Az-Zahran Fawwaz became the champion at the festival too! Moreover, they also won The Best Lyric Award and The Best Song Award.

This continuous awards opens up a way for Zarul to further spread his wings in the music industry. Not only awards in singing competition, Zarul had also received the Bakti Gemilang award for his numerous contribution towards the 7th Residential College. May Zarul’s path will always be filled with success both as a student and a singer. All the best, Azarul.