Prominent composer Pragas dies at 82
Published on: Tuesday, July 01, 2014
Kota Kinabalu: One of Sabah's top music composers, Datuk Peter Pragas died on Monday. He was 87.Born in Penang in 1926, Pragas came to Sabah, then North Borneo in 1957 and joined then Radio Sabah, now Radio Television Malaysia (RTM).He contributed immensely to Sabah's music scene and in 1978, he was attributed as the Father of Sabah Music (in Volume I of Sabah Quarter Century of Songs, Composers Biographical Data) in recognition of his contribution.
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This was reaffirmed in 1999 by Sabah Museum officials in conjunction with the National Day celebration exhibition entitled Patriotism 2020 officiated by the Head of State where he was named as Father of Sabah Modern Music.In 1979, Pragas released his first instrumental album entitled 'Land Below The Wind' with EMI productions before producing a dual album set entitled 'Sabah Centennial Celebration' for the State of Sabah in commemoration with the 100 years Centennial Celebration held in 1981.Pragas remained in public service in Sabah for 24 years until his retirement in 1981. He was also active in social work and founded the Sabah Association of Senior Citizens in 1987.
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Pragas, whose wife passed away earlier, is survived by his children, Adrian and Sandra and grandchildren.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Funeral Mass will be said at 10am on July 3 at Stella Maris Church in Tanjung Aru and thereafter the cortege will proceed to the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Mile 4 Þ, Penampang Road for burial.
