Retro Raya: LITE Encourages Malaysians to Celebrate Heritage This Festive Season
Kuala Lumpur, 13 April 2026 – This Hari Raya season, English All-Time Favourite radio station LITE invited listeners to step back in time with Retro Raya, a nostalgic celebration held on Saturday, 11 April 2026, honouring the charm and traditions of Raya from decades past.
Retro Raya was designed as a heartfelt tribute to Malay cultural heritage, encouraging Malaysians to reconnect with the values, customs and stories that define festive celebrations. By blending heritage, community and nostalgia, the initiative reflected LITE’s commitment to creating meaningful moments beyond music.
The celebration took place at the historic Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman, located within the grounds of Badan Warisan Malaysia. Surrounded by the ambience of a traditional kampung-style setting, listeners enjoyed a guided tour of the heritage house before gathering for a festive Raya meal at OpenHouse Kuala Lumpur, a restaurant known for preserving heirloom Malay dishes rarely found today.
Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman holds significant historical value. Originally constructed in phases between 1910 and the early 1930s, the house once belonged to the penghulu (local headman) of Mukim Bagan Samak, Bandar Baharu, Kedah. Formerly located in Kampung Sungai Kechil, the building was later saved, relocated and meticulously restored by Badan Warisan Malaysia between 1996 and 1997, ensuring its legacy continues to be appreciated by future generations.
Commenting on the celebration, LITE Brand Manager, Soraya Kee, said Retro Raya was created to reflect the essence of Raya itself.
“Raya has always been about warmth, togetherness and tradition. Through Retro Raya, we wanted to remind listeners of the beauty of celebrating the season the way it once was, while appreciating the heritage that shaped who we are today.”
She added that the choice of venue played a key role in amplifying the celebration’s message.
“Hosting Retro Raya in a heritage home like Rumah Penghulu Abu Seman allows us to honour Malaysian cultural practices in a meaningful way. It’s also a natural fit for LITE, as a station built on nostalgia and memories.”
According to Soraya, Retro Raya is part of LITE’s broader mission to create emotionally resonant experiences for its audience.
“Beyond music, we want to bring people together through moments that spark nostalgia and appreciation for our roots. Retro Raya is about creating lasting memories, especially during a season as meaningful as Hari Raya.”
The heritage locations played an important role in reinforcing the spirit of cultural appreciation, highlighting the importance of preserving traditions while celebrating them in modern ways. Through initiatives like Retro Raya, LITE continues to extend its values beyond the airwaves by creating experiences that celebrate Malaysian culture and strengthen community connections.
LITE is one of 13 radio stations under Astro Audio. As an English-language radio station, LITE plays the best classic hits from the 80s and 90s, delivering a timeless listening experience and serving as the perfect soundtrack for work, leisure and everyday moments.
With over 546,000 followers across social media platforms, LITE continues to deliver All-Time Favourites to listeners nationwide. Fans can tune in via radio frequencies, follow LITE on its official social media channels, or download the LITE app from the App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery.
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