M. Nasir’s tenacious hold on music isn’t far removed from the warrior figure he portrayed in fantasy epic Puteri Gunung Ledang. Since his days with ’80s folk-rock band Kembara, he’s championed Malay music by elevating traditional forms, bringing folk into the present-day. The past few decades have seen him continue his quest as a solo act, composer, producer and label owner, earning him the title of sifu. Implementing traditional instruments and the poetic form of Bahasa into pop genres, Nasir’s pioneering Nusantara sound is best exemplified on Canggung Mendonan.