Introduction Legend of Malaysia: P.Ramlee

Chiew Zhi Yih 0189368

  P.Ramlee a familiar name that every Malaysian will know. P.Ramlee is his stage name, his real name is Tengke Zakaria Tenku Nyak Putih. He use this stage name since he was 18years old. He also be grant as Datuk Sri Amar Dr. He is a historical people in Malaysia which he bring reputation for in Malaysia history. P.Ramlee a famous film actor, director, singer, songwriter, composer and producer in end of 40's and 50's until 60's and 70's. He is talented front of stage and behind the scene. The most impressive is he having acted in 65 films and sung 390 songs.

  P.Ramlee was born in Penang on the 22nd of March 1929. He born at his granmother's house and now opened as P.Ramlee house in Penang. P.Ramlee's father Teuku Nyak Puteh is a Indonesian, was a sailor from Acheh, Indonesia. Another side, his mother Che Mah Hussain was a native of Malaysia from Seberang Prai, Penang. He educate in Penang Free School which is the first school in Malaysia.

  P.Ramlee born from a normal family but he try harder to achieve his dream. Eventhought, P.Ramlee are lack of formal training in performing arts but this is not a stumbling block to achieve his dream. P.Ramlee has award many of winning film and that are Anakku Sazali (My Son Sazali), Hang Tuah(Legand of Hang Tuah), Ibu Mertuaku (My Mother-in-Law), Madu Tiga (Three Wives) and etc.

  When he is 13 years old he starting his familiarization in the musical arts which is the ukulele and violin were among the early instruments he took up. He showed his musical gifts with contemporary sounds and melodious ‘Keroncong’ tunes together with his friends. It was through this that he get his first commission from Radio Malaya to entertain at social gatherings and events around Penang. P. Ramlee would often be accompanied by a band when having every presentation. His first song is ‘Aziazah’, it was named by a girl of his fancy and it written by 1945. The song first published at Agricultural Fair in Bukit Mertajam in June 1948.

  The awesome new voice reached the ears of BS Rajhans a well-known film director from Singapore. BS Rajhans invited P.Ramlee work in at the studios for a Malay film production in Singapore. This offer make a big change in P.Ramlee’s life. Grabbing the open door, P. Ramlee moving to Singapore and start his new life.

  In Singapore, the background of Malay film are sing by P.Ramlee. At the same time he works as a crew in occasion of behind the scene. In the fullness of time, P.Ramlee interest in acting and try to get a role in film. After his superiors auditioned he get a small part of film. The first film in which P. Ramlee had a role in was Chinta, released in 1948. After he acting in some 20 films, P.Ramlee ventured into film direction, with his first effort Penarik Beca which was released in 1955. In Singapore, he had chance to direct 16 films. After that he came back to Malaysia and career development in 1964. He created another 18 movies, starting with SI TORA HARIMAU JADIAN and ending with LAKSAMANA DO RE MI in 1972.

  Apart from his acting and directing, P. Ramlee was also noted as a composer, lyricist and arranger. He is an artist that different with others, he know and can do many things media. During his lifetime he wrote some 1000 songs, because P.Ramlee are influence by Osman Ahmad and Yusof B. which are strengths in musical arrangements.

  One of his many advantages was his ability to deliver his own songs personally, either in solo or in duet with other singers such as Saloma and Normadiah.  This had the effect of leaving a greater impact on the audiences. If Azizah was his first song, then his swansong must surely be Air Mata Di Kuala Lumpur, written not long before he leave this world.