P. Ramlee

2.1. Birth and Family Background

P. Ramlee was born on 22 March 1929, corresponding to 1 Syawal 1347, on the morning of Eid al-Fitr, in George Town, Penang, which was then part of the Straits Settlements in British Malaya. His birth name was Teuku Zakaria bin Teuku Nyak Puteh. His parents were Teuku Nyak Puteh bin Teuku Karim (1902-1955) and Che Mah binti Hussein (1904-1967).

His father, Teuku Nyak Puteh, was the only child of a wealthy family from Lhokseumawe, Aceh, Indonesia. He had migrated to Penang as a sailor. P. Ramlee's mother, Che Mah, was a widow from Kubang Buaya, Butterworth, Penang, whom his father married in 1925. P. Ramlee also had a step-brother named Syeikh Ali from his mother's first marriage. The name "Ramlee" was given to him by his maternal grandmother, who found "Teuku Zakaria" difficult to pronounce. The "P" in P. Ramlee is an abbreviation for "Puteh," his father's name, following a naming convention similar to Tamil patronymics. P. Ramlee's mother passed away from gum cancer while he was traveling back to Penang.

2.2. Education

P. Ramlee began his education at Sekolah Melayu Kampung Jawa (Kampung Jawa Malay School) before attending Francis Light English School. He then continued his studies at Penang Free School. During his time at Penang Free School, he was known for his neat handwriting and engaging language skills. He also actively participated in sports in the evenings, while studying Islamic education during the day. His teacher, Encik Hashim, who was the father of actor Ahmad Daud, often had P. Ramlee deliver student books to his home and would invite him to eat before he returned home.

His schooling was interrupted by the Japanese occupation of Malaya from 1942 to 1945. During this period, he enrolled in the Japanese Navy School (Kaigun Gakko), where he quickly became proficient in the Japanese language and learned the basics of music, including playing the piano and violin and singing Japanese songs. This exposure to Japanese culture and cinema would later influence his filmmaking. After the war ended, he returned to Penang Free School and took formal music lessons, which enabled him to read musical notations. He also joined a marching band in his village, further developing his musical talents.

3.1. Entry into the Entertainment Industry

P. Ramlee's passion for music began when he observed his friends playing instruments in his village. He saved money from odd jobs to buy a violin. While at the Japanese Navy School, he became a battalion leader and frequently performed songs during weekend stage shows. His proficiency in Japanese, acquired through the Japanese education system, helped him hone his skills across various locations.

After evening prayers, he practiced music with the Sinaran Bintang Sore band. He later joined the Orkes Teruna Sekampung as a violinist, singer, and songwriter. Recognizing his talent, Encik Kamaruddin, a piano teacher, offered him lessons at his home, where Kamaruddin's daughter, Normah, would encourage him with coffee.

P. Ramlee first gained public recognition by participating in singing competitions organized by Radio Malaya (now Radio Televisyen Malaysia) in northern Malaya. He secured third place in 1945 and 1946, and in 1947, he won first place as the "Bintang Penyanyi Utama Malaya" (Main Singer Star of Malaya). His success in these competitions brought him and Orkes Teruna Sekampung widespread recognition in the northern region.

In 1948, B. S. Rajhans, a film director for Shaw Brothers' Malay Film Productions (MFP), discovered P. Ramlee while he was performing at a kroncong show in Penang. Rajhans invited him to join MFP as a playback singer in 1949. P. Ramlee traveled to Singapore with his violin and auditioned at the Jalan Ampas studio, singing his first original composition, "Azizah." This song would later become his signature piece and was used as the background music in his directorial debut, Penarek Becha (1955).

His acting debut was in the 1948 film Chinta, where he played a villain and provided playback vocals for the lead actor. His success continued, and he appeared in films like Nasib (1949) and Nilam (1949). In 1950, he took his first major role in Bakti, becoming the first actor in Malay cinema to sing in his own voice rather than relying on a playback singer. He also dueted with Siti Zainab in Bakti. His performances in subsequent films such as Juwita (1951) and Ibu (1953) solidified his status as a major star in the burgeoning Malay film industry. His melodious voice also earned him a recording contract with Hemsley & Co., for whom "Azizah" proved to be a lucrative success, earning Ramlee 3.00 K MYR for his songs. He also performed with the HMV (His Master's Voice) Orchestra under music director Yusoff B., with performances broadcast on Radio Malaya from the Cathay Building.

3.2. Malay Film Productions (MFP) Era

P. Ramlee's film career soared after Takdir Ilahi (1950) was released. Following a brief departure from MFP due to a salary dispute and a failed plan to join Nusantara Productions, he rejoined MFP through the intervention of his friend and MFP's first Malay director, A. Mahadi, to star in Penghidupan (1951). His return coincided with the Maria Hertogh riots in December 1950, prompting him to temporarily relocate to Johor Bahru.

During his highly productive period with Malay Film Productions in Singapore from 1950 to 1964, often referred to as his "golden age," P. Ramlee starred in a string of successful films including Sejoli (1951), Juwita (1951), Antara Senyum dan Tangis (1952), Hujan Panas (1953), and Panggilan Pulau (1954).

In 1955, he made his directorial debut with Penarek Becha ("Trishaw Man"), in which he also starred alongside Saadiah. The film was a commercial success and critically acclaimed, winning Best Malay Film, Best Director, Best Song ("Inang Baru"), and Best Actor in 1956. His subsequent directorial works garnered numerous awards at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival.

In 1956, P. Ramlee starred as Hang Tuah in the film Hang Tuah, directed by Phani Majumdar. This film, based on the legendary Malay hero, was the first Malay film to be shot in Eastmancolour. He also won the best musical score award for Hang Tuah at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival. He collaborated again with Majumdar in Anak-ku Sazali (1956), where he played dual roles as Hassan, a loving father, and Sazali, a rebellious son. For his performance in Anak-ku Sazali, he won the Best Actor award at the 4th Asia Film Festival in Tokyo, Japan.

In 1958, P. Ramlee starred in the military film Sarjan Hassan, where he also took over directorial duties after the original director, Lamberto Avellana, withdrew. The film also featured Jins Shamsuddin, Salleh Kamil, and Saadiah. Two years later, he wrote, directed, and starred in Antara Dua Darjat (1960), a drama about the forbidden love between Ghazali (P. Ramlee) and Tengku Zaleha (Saadiah), whose families opposed their relationship due to social class differences. The cast included S. Kadarisman, Yusof Latiff, Ahmad Nisfu, and Kuswadinata.

P. Ramlee also excelled in comedy, most notably with the Bujang Lapok film series, which he directed and starred in alongside S. Shamsuddin and Aziz Sattar. These films, including Ali Baba Bujang Lapok, Pendekar Bujang Lapok, and Seniman Bujang Lapok, were highly popular for their humor and social commentary. Pendekar Bujang Lapok (1959) won the Best Comedy award at the Asia-Pacific Film Festival.

In 1962, inspired by his happiness with his wife Saloma, he directed Ibu Mertua-ku ("My Mother-in-Law"), where he also wrote the script and played the character Kassim Slamat. This film was a commercial success, and its theme song, "Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti" ("Where Can I Find a Replacement"), became even more popular than the film itself. In this film, P. Ramlee also showcased his skill in playing the saxophone. Ibu Mertua-ku earned him the Most Versatile Actor award, a special category introduced at the 10th Asia Film Festival in Tokyo, Japan. The following year, he and Saloma made a special appearance in the Hong Kong film Love Parade, starring Lin Dai and Peter Chen Ho.

P. Ramlee also directed theatrical productions such as Sultan Mahmood Mangkat Di Julang (1959), Kachip Mas (1961), and Damaq (1952), staged at Happy World, New World, and the Victoria Theatre.

3.3. Musical Contributions

P. Ramlee was an exceptionally prolific composer and songwriter, creating over 250 songs, with some sources stating he recorded 359 songs for his films and records. His music often incorporated traditional Malay elements, blending local styles like joget, kroncong, and dondang sayang with rhythms and melodies from Latin, jazz, Arab, and Indian music. His compositions reflected the cosmopolitan musical landscape of early 20th-century Malaya and Singapore, influenced by the accompanying music of bangsawan and ronggeng theaters. In the 1960s, he even incorporated the popular "twist" dance into his song "Bunyi Gitar."

Among his most well-known songs are "Getaran Jiwa" ("Soul's Vibrations"), "Dendang Perantau" ("Wanderer's Song"), "Engkau Laksana Bulan" ("You Are Like the Moon"), "Joget Pahang", "Tudung Periok" ("Pot Lid"), "Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti" ("Where Can I Find a Replacement"), and "Azizah." Many of his songs were featured in his films, performed either by himself or other artists. He often collaborated with Indonesian lyricist S. Sudarmaji, who penned the words for many of his compositions. While most of his songs were composed by Ramlee and written by Sudarmaji, the authorship of some remains unconfirmed due to copyright issues.

His songs were noted for their use of older Malay spelling (Jawi) and traditional vocabulary, such as Ayer_Ayer^Malay instead of the modern Air_Air^Malay (water), reflecting the language conventions of his active period before the standardized spelling (EYD) was enacted in 1972. In 2019, 149 of his songs were declared national heritage, underscoring their enduring cultural significance.

3.4. Merdeka Film Productions and Later Career

In 1964, P. Ramlee directed, wrote, and starred in two films, Madu Tiga ("Three Wives") and Tiga Abdul ("Three Abduls"), the latter co-written with S. Kadarisman. These marked his final films with Shaw Brothers before he relocated to Kuala Lumpur in April 1964 to join Merdeka Film Productions, a company owned by Ho Ah Loke and H.M. Shah. Despite his move, Shaw Brothers maintained a significant stake in Merdeka Studio, indicating a continued, albeit indirect, relationship.

His career in Kuala Lumpur, however, faced new challenges, including constant sabotage from other Malaysian artists. His first film with Merdeka Studio was Sitora Harimau Jadian ("Sitora the Were-Tiger"), which he also wrote and starred in. Ramlee attempted to use special effects for this film, but due to a limited budget and inadequate support, he had to undertake various tasks, including editing, himself. During a preview in Singapore, Shaw Brothers executives reportedly walked out after only 15 minutes. This film is notably the only Malay film from that era to have been lost from circulation.

He went on to direct 18 more films with Merdeka Studio, including Masam-Masam Manis ("Sweet and Sour") and the Do Re Mi film series, until 1972. In 1967, following the commercial failures of three films produced after P. Ramlee's departure, Malay Film Productions ceased operations. A year later, in 1968, EMI, his recording company, chose not to renew his contract, a significant blow that led him to decide against working with EMI again.

In June 1969, P. Ramlee and his wife Saloma traveled to Medan, Indonesia, as part of a Malaysian cultural delegation, invited by the Indonesian government. His last film was Laksamana Do Re Mi (1972), his final work with Merdeka Studio. His last recorded song and lyrics were "Ayer Mata di Kuala Lumpur" ("Tears in Kuala Lumpur"), sung by Saloma after his death, originally intended for a film of the same name. Towards the end of his career, he also acted in two television drama series, Intan (1970) and Rantau Selamat (1972), both written by Abdullah Hussain.

P. Ramlee, along with H. M. Shah and three others, co-founded Perusahaan Filem Malaysia (PERFIMA), a film organization aimed at advancing the local film industry. However, by late February 1973, P. Ramlee and H. M. Shah were dismissed from PERFIMA due to disagreements with the leadership. Before his death, P. Ramlee had aspirations of establishing his own film company to compete with Shaw Brothers. In May 1973, shortly before his passing, P. Ramlee led a delegation of Malaysian artists to the Asia Film Festival in Singapore. Despite his significant contributions, he felt ignored by other Malaysian artists at the festival and chose to sit with Singaporean and foreign artists (from Hong Kong and Japan), who showed him greater recognition.

6.1. Marriages and Children

P. Ramlee was married three times. His first marriage was to Junaidah binti Daeng Harris on 17 September 1947, which ended in divorce on 17 October 1953. His second marriage was to Noorizan binti Mohd Noor on 6 February 1955. Noorizan was a member of the Perak royal family who chose to leave her royal life for P. Ramlee. However, this marriage also ended in divorce on 16 October 1961, as Noorizan's expectations for a more attentive husband were not met by P. Ramlee, who was intensely focused on his burgeoning career. He also suspected her of having an affair with another actor, though they maintained a good relationship after their divorce.

His third and final marriage was to Salmah binti Ismail, widely known as Saloma, on 21 November 1961. Their wedding was a simple ceremony attended by close friends. Interestingly, P. Ramlee's initial romantic interest was Saloma's elder sister, Mariani Ismail, a former beauty queen. Saloma became his soulmate and lifelong companion, supporting him until his death. This period with Saloma was particularly productive for his musical career, as he composed hundreds of songs, performing them solo and in duets with her.

P. Ramlee raised ten children, only two of whom were his biological sons from his first marriage to Junaidah. His children often assisted him in his work, serving as child background singers (for songs like "Tolong Kami Bantu Kami" from the film Tiga Abdul) and additional child actors (such as Sazali, who played a farm worker's son in Anak Bapak). His children included:

• Mohd Nasir (1953-2008), biological son with Junaidah.
• Arfan (1955-1998), biological son with Junaidah.
• Sazali P. Ramlee (born 1958), adopted son.
• Abdul Rahman, step-son (Junaidah's son).
• Norma, step-daughter (Noorizan's daughter).
• Armali, step-son (Saloma and A.R. Tompel's son).
• Betty, adopted daughter.
• Zakiah (also known as Zazaloma, born 1963), adopted daughter.
• Sabaruddin (also known as Badin, 1965-2007), adopted son.
• Salfarina (also known as Dian P. Ramlee), adopted daughter of Chinese descent, who also became a well-known Malaysian actress.

8.1. Cultural Impact and Influence

P. Ramlee is considered one of the greatest and most beloved figures in Malaysian entertainment history, often hailed as the "Father of Malaysian Music" and "Best National Singer." His influence extended across Southeast Asia, captivating audiences in Brunei, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Japan. In Indonesia, his films were immensely popular, making him an idol for Jakarta's youth, who even imitated his curly hair and thin mustache, reminiscent of Hollywood star Clark Gable. Prominent Indonesian artists like Bing Slamet and Benyamin Sueb looked up to him as a role model.

His compositions reflected a highly cosmopolitan musical landscape, blending traditional Malay elements with jazz, Latin, Arab, and Indian music. He was known for his versatile musical style, playing the piano, violin, trumpet, and saxophone. In 2010, CNN recognized his global impact by naming him one of the "25 Greatest Asian Actors of All Time." Malaysian actor Sean Ghazi described him as a "Malaysian music hero," a versatile artist embodying the spirit of the awakening era, a blend of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

His films continue to be regularly broadcast on television, and his songs are frequently covered by new generations of artists, demonstrating the timeless appeal and enduring relevance of his work. In 2019, 149 of his songs were officially declared national heritage, solidifying their cultural importance.

8.2. Awards and Honors

P. Ramlee received numerous awards and honors throughout his career and posthumously, recognizing his immense artistic achievements:

• Malaysia:**
  • Member of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (AMN) (1962): This made him the first Malay film star to receive such a high national medal.
  • Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) - Tan Sri (1990; posthumously).
  • Posthumously granted the sobriquet Seniman Agung ("Great Artist" or "National Artist Laureate").
• Sarawak:**
  • Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of Hornbill Sarawak (DA) - Datuk Amar (2009; posthumously): This award was presented by the then Chief Minister of Sarawak, Abdul Taib Mahmud, to P. Ramlee's adopted daughter, Dian P. Ramlee.
• Asia-Pacific Film Festival:**
  • Best Musical Score for Hang Tuah (1956).
  • Best Actor for Anak-ku Sazali at the 4th Asia Film Festival in Tokyo, Japan (1957).
  • Best Comedy for Pendekar Bujang Lapok (1959).
  • Most Versatile Actor for Ibu Mertua-ku at the 10th Asia Film Festival in Tokyo, Japan.
  • "The Most Versatile Talent Award" at the Asia Film Festival in Tokyo (1963).

8.3. Memorials and Tributes

Various institutions, landmarks, and events have been established or named in P. Ramlee's honor, reflecting his enduring legacy and national appreciation:

• P. Ramlee Memorial / Pustaka Peringatan P. Ramlee:** Located in his last residence on Jalan Dedap, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. This memorial was officially opened to the public on 22 March 1986, on what would have been his 57th birthday. It displays memorabilia and materials related to his life and contributions.
• P. Ramlee House:** A museum situated along Jalan P. Ramlee (formerly Caunter Hall Road) in Penang, Malaysia. This restored wooden house, originally built in 1926 by his father and uncle, showcases personal memorabilia from his life in Penang and items belonging to his family.
• Streets:**
  • Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuala Lumpur (formerly Jalan Parry; renamed in 1982).
  • Jalan P. Ramlee, Penang (formerly Caunter Hall Road; renamed on 30 August 1983).
  • Jalan P. Ramlee, Kuching, Sarawak (formerly Jalan Jawa).
• Townships:**
  • Taman P. Ramlee (formerly Taman Furlong), a township in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.
  • A township in George Town, Penang.
• Educational Institutions:**
  • SK Tan Sri P. Ramlee, George Town, Penang (formerly SK Kampung Jawa, his alma mater; renamed on 13 November 2011).
  • Bangunan P. Ramlee and Bilik Mesyuarat Tan Sri P. Ramlee at Sekolah Kebangsaan Hulu Klang, Selangor (used as a background in his film Masam Masam Manis).
• Auditoriums and Studios:**
  • Pawagam Mini P. Ramlee at Studio Merdeka, FINAS, Ulu Klang, Selangor.
  • Makmal P. Ramlee at Filem Negara Malaysia, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
  • P. Ramlee Auditorium (formerly RTM Auditorium) at Angkasapuri.
  • Auditorium P. Ramlee, RTM Kuching, Sarawak.
• Commercial and Transport:**
  • Ramlee Mall at Suria KLCC shopping center, Kuala Lumpur.
  • Bukit Nanas Monorail station, Kuala Lumpur, formerly known as P. Ramlee Monorail station.
• Other Tributes:**
  • On 15 August 1973, nearly three months after his death, a cinema named Pawagam P. Ramlee opened in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur.
  • In 2007, he was selected as one of the top 10 candidates for the "Anak Gemilang Malaysia" program, which recognizes Malaysians who have significantly contributed to the nation.
  • His life story was adapted into a musical theater production titled P. Ramlee the Musical... Hidup, Cinta dan Inspirasi in 2007.
  • A documentary about his life, directed by Shuhaimi Baba, was aired on The History Channel (ASTRO Channel 555) in 2010.
  • On 22 March 2017, his 88th birthday, Google honored P. Ramlee with a Google Doodle on the Malaysian Google homepage.
  • In 2021, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) introduced a limited-time menu item, the "Burger P. Ramlee," combining KFC Zinger with his favorite dish, Nasi Kandar.
  • From 14 April to 31 July 2022, Fahrenheit 88, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia and the National Archives of Malaysia, hosted a special exhibition called Galeri P. Ramlee, showcasing historical photos, life stories, and original costumes from his films and stage performances.

8.4. Critical Reception and Evaluation

Despite his immense talent and contributions, P. Ramlee faced challenges and a period of neglect within the Malaysian entertainment industry towards the end of his life. He experienced constant sabotage from other artists, and his career was largely ignored by his contemporaries. It was only in the late 1980s, two decades after his passing, that his significant contributions to nation-building during the late-colonial and post-independence periods began to be fully recognized and honored. This re-evaluation was partly driven by a deep sense of shame and pity (kasihan) among later generations upon discovering the tragic circumstances of his final years.

On 16 June 1983, Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, emphasized the need for effective measures to commemorate P. Ramlee's contributions as the nation's greatest artist, referring to him as a true "people's artist" who remained remembered by all ages even a decade after his death. Critics and the public now widely acknowledge his artistic merits, versatility, and enduring influence on Malaysian and Southeast Asian culture, solidifying his status as an irreplaceable icon.