As the iconic Circle of Life resounded through the hall, The Lion King became more than a beloved Disney classic for this mother and her neurodiverse son — it became an unforgettable evening of music, inclusion and inspiration.
The opening notes of Circle of Life have long been synonymous with Disney’s The Lion King, but hearing them performed live by the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) was an entirely different experience.
Recently, my son Aidel and I were invited by Datin Jasmine Abdullah Heng, Chairperson of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Selangor Chapter and Vice Chairman of Dorsett Hotels Malaysia, to attend The Lion King Live in Concert at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s Plenary Hall.
What followed was an evening that reminded us of the extraordinary power of music, storytelling and shared experiences.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came even before the first note was played.
As NSO Resident Conductor Eric Lee took to the stage, he surprised the audience by raising a plush Simba toy before taking his bow. The gesture sparked immediate laughter and applause throughout the hall.
I glanced at Aidel and saw him smiling.
It was such a simple, playful moment, yet it perfectly captured the spirit of the evening. Despite the grandeur of the venue, the size of the orchestra and the prestige of a Disney production, the concert never lost the sense of childlike wonder that lies at the heart of The Lion King.
The Lion King Through New Eyes
As the film began and the orchestra launched into the familiar score, The Lion King suddenly took on an entirely new dimension.
The music was no longer simply part of a soundtrack playing through cinema speakers. It was alive.
Every note, every swell of emotion and every dramatic moment unfolded in real time as dozens of musicians performed in perfect synchronisation with the film on screen.
For nearly two hours, the orchestra became an invisible character in the story itself.
Every triumphant scene felt grander. Every emotional moment felt deeper. Songs that I had heard countless times before seemed richer and more powerful when performed live.
Yet what touched me most was watching Aidel.
Diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, Aidel is himself a neurodiverse performer and writer who has spent years developing his talents through music and the creative arts. Throughout the evening, I found myself observing not only the stage and screen, but also my son.
There was a quiet intensity in the way he watched the musicians. At times his eyes followed the conductor. At others, he seemed completely absorbed by the orchestra’s performance.
As a mother, it was a deeply moving sight.
I have seen Aidel perform on stage before and witnessed the confidence that music gives him. Yet this was different. Here was a young man who loves music experiencing an orchestra at the highest level, bringing a story he already knew and loved to life before his eyes.
It was a powerful reminder of how the arts can inspire, uplift and connect people regardless of their backgrounds or abilities.
Bringing Communities Together
The evening was made even more meaningful knowing that more than 100 refugee children and orphans from Rumah Charis were also attending through a special initiative jointly organised by MAH Selangor Chapter, the Kiwanis Club of Bukit Kiara and Dorsett Hotels Malaysia.
For many of these children, it was their first opportunity to experience a world-class theatrical production and live orchestral performance.
As Datin Jasmine aptly remarked during the event:
“Giving back to our community is at the very core of what we do. Seeing the sheer excitement, hearing their laughter, and watching their faces light up with pure wonder reminds us exactly why we champion these initiatives. We want to show these children that they belong in these spaces, and we hope this inspires them to dream boldly despite their circumstances.”
Looking around the hall, it was difficult not to see the truth in her words.
The children laughed together, gasped together and applauded together. For a few precious hours, labels, circumstances and hardships seemed to disappear.
What remained was the universal language of storytelling and music.
As I listened to Datin Jasmine speak about creating opportunities for children to dream beyond their circumstances, I could not help reflecting on my own journey with her.
Many years ago, Datin Jasmine was the General Manager of Sheraton Subang, now Dorsett Grand Subang, while I served as the hotel’s Director of Marketing Communications. Among our colleagues then was Mazuin Murtadza, a Sales Manager who, like me, would later become the mother of a son on the autism spectrum.
When I asked Datin Jasmine whether Mazuin and her three offsprings could also attend the concert, she immediately extended the invitation. It was a small gesture, perhaps, but one that reflected the spirit of inclusion that defined the evening.
The Lion King and the Circle of Life
Life eventually took us on different professional paths, and we lost touch over the years. It was only recently, at a Tourism Malaysia-Dorsett Hospitality International event, that Datin Jasmine and I reconnected.
Sitting in the audience that evening with Aidel beside me, I found myself reflecting on the irony of it all. The opening song of The Lion King is, after all, Circle of Life.
Here we were, years later, reunited not through the hospitality industry that first brought us together, but through an initiative dedicated to bringing joy, inspiration and inclusion to children from different walks of life.
In many ways, it felt like our own circle had come full circle.
As the final credits rolled and the orchestra received a well-deserved standing ovation, Aidel and I left with more than memories of an outstanding performance.
We left reminded that the arts have the power to bring people together, open minds and create moments of belonging.
And thanks to the vision of organisations willing to invest in such experiences, more children—including those who might otherwise never have the opportunity—are able to discover that magic for themselves.
For one unforgettable evening, Pride Rock came alive. So too did the hopes, dreams and imagination of every child fortunate enough to be there. – NMH
Datin Hasnah is the co-founder and CEO of New Malaysia Herald based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
With an extensive background in mass communication and journalism, she works on building up New Malaysia Herald and it’s partner sites. A tireless and passionate evangalist, she champions autism studies and support groups.
Datin Hasnah is also the Editor in Chief of New Malaysia Herald.
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