Awang Haji Besar bin Awang Sagap

Awang Haji Besar bin Awang Sagap (1909 – 1 February 1988) was a Bruneian violinist, composer, and songwriter, active during the 1950s and 1960s. Awang Haji Besar was known as one of the Fathers of Brunei's National Anthem, Allah Peliharakan Sultan, in 1946, during the reign of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Akhazul Khairi Waddien.

Personal life
Awang Haji Besar was born on 21 September 1914 at Kampong Masjid Sultan Lama, Brunei Town. His father was Awang Sagap @ Pengiran Sagap bin Pengiran Mohammad Tahir and his mother was Dayang Jelia. He and his family then moved to Sabah where he was educated at the Malay School in Sandakan and later at the Roman Catholic English School in Sandakan. While in Sandakan, From a young age, his father knew that his son had a natural musical talent. Therefore, his father sent him to study with a Filipino Band leader named G.A. Alberto. It was with Alberto's guidance that Awang Haji Besar increased his knowledge of the 'art of music' in composing Malay songs and western songs. With that, he was able to compose several songs according to his own western rhythms at that time.

Composer of Brunei's National Anthem
In 1946, Awang Haji Besar was asked by Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Akhazul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan of Brunei at that time, to compose the Brunei's National Anthem, Allah Peliharakan Sultan. The song was first played during the flag raising ceremony of the Barisan Pemuda, one of the early political organisation in Brunei before independence.

Family
In 1933, Awang Haji Besar married Pengiran Hajah Zahrah binti Pengiran Hashim. The couple was blessed with 10 children, four sons and six daughters.

Death
Awang Haji Besar died in Bandar Seri Begawan on 1 February 1988. His remains were interred at the compound of the Kubah Makam Di Raja, Jalan Tutong.