P. Ramlee was a Malaysian singer, songwriter, composer, actor and film director born in 1929 in Penang, Malaysia. He gained popularity through his musical talents and acting in films in Singapore and Malaysia. Some of his most well-known films included Semerah Padi and Bujang Lapok. P. Ramlee married three times and had 10 children total. He made significant contributions to Malaysian cinema and music before his untimely death from a heart attack in 1973 at age 44.

1. P. Ramlee

2. Background
• His real name is Teuku Zakaria Bin Teuku Nyak
Puteh.
• Was born in Penang on the 22nd of March 1929.
• His father was an immigrant, a sailor from
Aceh, Indonesia.
• His mother was from Penang.

3. • Around the age of 13, he started playing
the ukelele and violin.
• He displayed his musical talents
with contemporary songs and
melodious ‘KERONCONG’ tunes together with his
friends.
• Through this, he received his first commission from
Radio Malaya to entertain at social gatherings and
events around Penang.

4. How P. Ramlee got his name
• It happened when he took part in a singing contest in 1947.
• The letter ‘P’ stands for ‘PUTEH’, his father’s name.
• ’RAMLEE’ is his father’s younger brother’s name.

5. The Film World
• He started working in Singapore at the Jalan Ampas
Studios for a Malay film production.
• His voice was used in background songs for Malay films.
• He was also a clapper boy and a camera assistant.

6. • Noticing his interest in acting, his superiors auditioned him
and eventually gave him small parts in films.
• The first film P. Ramlee had an acting role was CHINTA,
released in 1948.
• After acting in around 20 FILMS, P. Ramlee eventually
ventured into film directing.

7. • The first film he directed was PENAREK BECHA which was
released in 1955.
• The movie was well received by the public and the industry,
bringing his name into the limelight.

8. From then on he acted in and directed many other films
including box-office hits such as:
• Anakku Sazali
• Semerah Padi
• Hujan Panas
• Bujang Lapok
• Sumpah Orang Minyak
• Sarjan Hassan
• Nujum Pak Belalang

9. • Pendekar Bujang Lapok
• Antara Dua Darjat
• Seniman Bujang Lapok
• Ibu Mertuaku
• Labu & Labi
• Madu Tiga

10. • While in Singapore, he had the opportunity to
direct 16 films.
• After he returned to Malaysia in 1964, he directed
another 18 films.
• Beginning with SITORA HARIMAU JADIAN
• and ending with LAKSAMANA DO RE MI in 1972.

11. Music
• Apart from his acting and directing, P. Ramlee was also
noted as a composer, lyricist and arranger.
• This is what sets him apart as a multi-talented artist without
equal.
• In all, P. Ramlee wrote some 1000 songs during his
lifetime.

12. • 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.

13. Personal Life
• P. Ramlee was married three times.
• His first wife was Junaidah, daughter of
actor Daeng Haris.
• Married in 1950, after the film BAKTI, their
relationship fell apart even though they had
a child, Nasir.

14. • In February 1955, he married the
second time to Norizan.
• This marriage too was shortlived
and ended in divorce.

15. • In 1961, P. Ramlee later married third wife
Salmah Ismail,a very famous singer whose
stage name was Saloma.
• This third marriage was considered an ideal
match because they were so right for each
other, even in their duets.
• The marriage lasted till his death.

16. P. Ramlee’s 10 Children
1. Mohd Nasir : Biological son (with Junaidah)
2. Arfan : Biological son (with Junaidah)
3. Sazali : Adopted son
4. Abdul Rahman : Step-son (Junaidah’s )
5. Norma : Step-daughter (Noorizan’s)

17. 6. Armali : Step-son (Saloma’s)
7. Betty : Adopted
8. Zakiah @ Zazaloma : Adopted
9. Sabaruddin @ Badin : Adopted
10. Salfarina @ Dian : Adopted

18. Death
• P. Ramlee died at the age of 44 from a heart attack.
• On October 31, 2010, a 90-minute documentary on his
life was aired on History Channel Asia.
• During the documentary, it was revealed that P. Ramlee's
death was a shock to the nation, and a sense of collective
guilt began to spread nationwide.

19. •This is because before his death he had been discredited
and rejected by his own nation citing that he was a "has
been" and that his songs and film were no longer
marketable.
•The documentary also revealed that despite his previous
success in the entertainment industry, P. Ramlee died a
penniless man.
•It was revealed that he gave away the last of his money
to a visitor to the house whom he deemed needed the
money more than he.