My favourite actor, filmmaker and musician. AND HE’S JUST ONE PERSON!

 

Tan Sri Datuk Amar Teuku Zakaria bin Teuku Nyak Puteh 

       ...or famously  known as his stage name P. Ramlee was an actor, filmmaker, musician, and composer during the golden age of Malay films. The man was born and raised in George Town, Pulau Pinang on 22^nd of March 1929. His stage name, P. Ramlee stands for Puteh Ramlee, in which his father, Teuku Nyak Puteh, registered his name at school as Ramlee bin Puteh since the name Teuku Zakaria doesn’t suit for kids  during his childhood.

My introduction to P. Ramlee was through my father, he would play his films on tv when we went back to his hometown. I remember watching Laksamana Do Re Mi together in the living room and I was dying out of laughter. Back then was when I was 7 and throughout the years, I still find the film hilarious. Films where P. Ramlee was involved can be enjoyed by any generation regardless of their age, all need is to pick the right film.

P. Ramlee’s films are broad in genre, from comedy such as Pendekar Bujang Lapok known to be his funniest masterpiece to tragic drama like Ibu Mertua-Ku, a melodrama tells an unfortunate love affairs between a poor musician and an only daughter to a wealthy woman.

                                                    Pendekar Bujang Lapok            (1959) Ibu Mertua-Ku (1962)          Laksamana Do Re Mi (1972)

My favourite film directed by him will be Ali Baba Bujang Lapok, an Arabic fable about wealth and greed turned comedy. I really enjoy the comedic side of P. Ramlee’s performance the most, where he is showed as a happy-go-lucky guy but is still charismatic and charming.

P. Ramlee’s career was also known for his great singing voice and song-writing. His song genre ranged from pop to jazz. I enjoy songs that is more of a vibe rather than a deep meaning songs, so my favourite pick would be Bunyi Gitar (The sound of Guitar). Other honorable mention would be Azizah, his first composed song written by him and one of his greatest hit.

P. Ramlee - Bunyi Gitar 

Without a doubt, Tan Sri P. Ramlee really left an impact in Malaysian and even other south east Asian countries in filmography. His achievements are admirable for generations to appreciate and his title “Seniman Agong Negara” is very well suit for him. A man with versatile in creative industry is an icon for me and that is why Tan Sri P. Ramlee is my favourite filmmaker, actor and musician. P. Ramlee is my favourite person.

Written by NIK AKMAL NIK ASHRAF