Iconic Star of Malay Entertainment

Tan Sri P. Ramlee (22 March 1929–29 May 1973)  whose real name is TEUKU ZAKARIA BIN TEUKU NYAK PUTEH, was a Malaysian film actor, director and songwriter. Due to his contributions in the movie and music industry, as well as in the literary scene, he is often attributed as the icon of Malay entertainment in both Malaysia and Singapore.

P.Ramlee

P.Ramlee House

P.Ramlee monument

P.Ramlee mother

P.Ramlee's house is located at lot 2180, Jalan P.Ramlee, Penang. P. Ramlee was born in this house, which built in 1926 by father and uncle Rejab bin Hussein.  

P.Ramlee and his wife

The house was twice renovation by the latter, one during the Japanese occupation and again in 1948. The National Archives accquire the house and carried out restoration works in 1991. The original form of the house is still intact. In 1925, his father from Lho' Seumawe in Acheh by the name of Teuk Nyak Puteh settled in Penang to marry the woman who is the mother of P. Ramlee's from Butterworth, Che Mah Hussein.

Francis Light School

He attended Kampung Jawa Malay School and Francis Light English School then he continue his secondary  education at the Penang Free School until Second World War broke out. During the period Japanese occupation in Malaya, he continue his education at the Japanese Navy School Kaigun Gako. When the global war ended, he resumed his schooling in the Penang Free School and was excel in sports particularly in badminton, sepak takraw and  football.  

Francis Light School

The land of his house still stands at the location, which some after 90 years after his death was renamed Jalan P. Ramlee and now draws streams of curious visitors. Ramlee was born in the house of his maternal grandmother on March 22 on the festive day of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri  of 1929.After 44 days, he was brought to his parents's home in Kampung Jawa but later on kept coming to Counter Hall till his groundbreaking move to the illustration studio of the Shaw Brothers in Singapore.

P. Ramlee was married three times. His first marriage, to Junaidah Daeng Harris in 1950, ended in a divorce four years later. His second marriage in 1955, to Noorizan Mohd. Noor who a member of the royal family of State of Perak, also ended in divorce in 1961. His last marriage was to Saloma in November 1961 until his death. In addition to his two sons, Mohamad Nasir and Arfan, from his marriage to Junaida Daeng Harris, he also had several adopted children: Sazali P. Ramlee, Safarina bte Mum (also known as Dian P Ramlee), Betty P. Ramlee, Zakiah bte Ahmad Rejab and Sabarudin bin Ramlee. He was also the stepfather to the three children from his spouses' previous marriages, namely, Abdul Rahman (Junaida's son), Norma (Noorizan's daughter) and Armali bin Aman Ramlie (Saloma's son).

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Passion for Preservation

A hidden treasure in town opens its doors to the public, it is housed within the small annex right beside the main building. This landmark commemorates the late comedian, actor, singer, composer & film director none other than Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr.Teuku Nyak Putih, commonly known as P.Ramlee.

 Exterior Section of P.Ramlee's House from different 

sides and angles.

      

Jawi-writing : P.Ramlee's House

House by house, this is regarded as the TOP preserved house in Penang as it is reserved by Malaysian National Archieve to preserve its original design and structure. The house is a traditional Malay house. The wooden house is raised on stilts to avoid flood after heavy rainfalls.There is an old tree nearby the house where P.Ramlee used to play as a boy. 

This house is also remarkable as P.Ramlee was born in this house on 22nd March 1929.
It was officially opened on 13th December 1991.The wooden house is filled with P.Ramlee's life history and showcases of his personal memorabilia.

P.Ramlee's bicycle parked under the wooden house.

It is interesting how P.Ramlee used his bicycle's brake to create rhythms when cycling.(As described from the information/description board)

This is an old sampan used by late P.Ramlee.

He used the sampan to move around the river during the flood as the place of his residence often hit by flood during heavy rain and monsoon season. 

The Bedroom

As we enter the bedroom we can see an old-fashioned iron bed, table,mirror and iron trunk which was used to store clothes.

The Kitchen

This area shows the original kitchen and utensils used by the late P.Ramlee's younger days.

The Exhibition Hall 

Here we find P. Ramlee's artifacts as well as pictures of his involvement in the arts and sports.]

P.Ramlee - A Rare Star

It has been nearly five decades since P.Ramlee passed away in 1973, but this is one star that even young generations would recognize today. He had undisturbed talents and creativity which he showcased in his career. His films are laden with meaningful messages,humour and storylines which stands the test of time. Many of P.Ramlee's films are social commentaries relatable across geographical borders and often wrapped in comedy.P.Ramlee fights for his social rights through his works. He is talented in writing a story that depicts human beings and as the same despite their social status. To him, everyone has a role to play in the society.

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++++++ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ++++++

CRITERIAS	P.RAMLEE'S HOUSE
LATITUDE	120.9149926P
LONGITUDE	23.8668669
ADDRESS	Lot 2180, Jalan P.Ramlee, Georgetown, Penang.
CONTACT  NUMBER	+6042817484
BUS  ROUTE	206
OPENING  HOURS	Tuesday to Sunday - 9 a.m. - 5.30p.m.                    Friday  -  9 a.m.- 12.00p.m.                                 3.00p.m.-5.30p.m.  ( Closed on Mondays, except during public or school holidays)
ENTRANCE  & PARKING FEES	-
ACTIVITY UNIQUE TO TOURIST	The house chronicles his life history as well as showcases personal memorabilia. Tourists will get a lot of knowledge about the national star.

 Location Map from Google

Step in P.Ramlee House and you will be instantly teleported to a forest-like space in shades of wooden beam, including its furnitures.The open-air wooden house can be very warm under the sultry weather, especially with the absence of air conditioners. It can be a picturesque place to travel back in time with P.Ramlee's past life as it is still well preserved! Why not mark the location down on your travel map? If you are having transportation problems, check out the user-friendly applications listed on the sidebar of this blog. 

VISIT Penang. VISIT P.Ramlee's House.

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Inspirational P. Ramlee

ACHIEVEMENTS/COMMITMENTS OF P.RAMLEE

Quick glimpse of P. Ramlee proud achievement! 

Anakku Sazali (My Son Sazali)	Best Male Actor, 4th Asian Film Festival (Tokyo, 1957)
Hang Tuah (Legend of Hang Tuah)	Best Musical Score, 3rd Asian Film Festival (Hong Kong 1956) and Official screening at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival in 1957. The only P. Ramlee movie to be filmed in color.
Ibu Mertuaku (My Mother-in-Law)	Most Versatile Talent, 10th Asian Film Festival (Tokyo, 1963)
Madu Tiga (Three Wives)	Best Comedy, 11th Asian Film Festival (Taipei, 1964)
Nujum Pak Belalang (Pak Belalang the Fortune Teller)	Best Comedy, 7th Asian Film Festival (Tokyo, 1960)

What so unique about P. Ramlee?

There are too many achievements in P. Ramlee life career, he has committed incredibly much to Malaysia film industry. P. Ramlee was an incredibly talented person, since his early age he has discovered his own potential and realize his passion for music.There is a real famous and still inspiring quotes: "do what you love,and success will follow", Mr P. Ramlee always believe in that. Since then, he  had formed a band called Teruna Sekampung, Orkes Mutiara and the Bintang Sore.




                                                      Figure 1. Teruna Sekampung

Teruna Sekampung: it's a group accompany by  Teuku Zakaria Teuku Nyak Puteh, which also known as P. Ramlee before he join Sinaran Bintang Sore. The young man on your left is P. Ramlee, from then onwards,he has realize his dream and has plan to pursue it by hook or by crook.



                                                     Figure 2. The Orchestra

This is the plaque from inside P. Ramlee first house where he was raise in. The plaque share about the the music society he joined in his high school era. When it was presented and their achievements.This event has since boosts his confidence and inspires him to pursue his dream more.

SONGS COMPOSED

                                          Figure 3. P. Ramlee favorite violins

The first song he composed was none other than the famous AZIZAH. It was written in 1945 and dedicated to his first love which thrust him on the threshold towards stardom. He gave the song its first public airing at an Agricultural Fair in Bukit Mertajam in June 1948.

First Effort Penarik Beca Which Was Released In 1955

At that time, B.S. Rajhans, a Singaporean director scouting for talents, and instantly asked Ramlee and his friend Sukardi if they would be interested in a screen test for the Shaw Brothers' Malay Film Production




In Singapore, his voice was initially used in background songs for Malay films. He was also a Clapper Boy and Camera Assistant. Consequently, after acts in some 20 films, P. Ramlee eventually ventured into Film Direction

For musical arrangements his artistic influences included Osman Ahmad and Yusof B. In all, P. Ramlee wrote some 1000 songs during his lifetime. The stories in his songs depict sweet love entirety.

Last Effort Laksaman Do Re Mi in 1972

Film directed/acted

                  Figure 4. poster of P. Ramlee films

Even though, P. Ramlee’s lack of education and formal training in the performing arts field has not affect him.His will and passion has motivated him not to give up. This talented man acted in 65 films, directed 34 feature films and sung close to 400 songs – an impressive track record which ran over two decades. He got various awards throughout career.

His award-winning films are:

• Anakku Sazali (My Son Sazali): Best Male Actor, 4th Asian Film Festival (Tokyo, 1957)

• Hang Tuah (Legend of Hang Tuah): Best Musical Score, 3rd Asian Film Festival (Hong Kong 1956) and Official screening at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival in 1957. The only P. Ramlee movie to be filmed in color.

• Ibu Mertuaku (My Mother-in-Law): Most Versatile Talent, 10th Asian Film Festival (Tokyo, 1963)

• Madu Tiga (Three Wives): Best Comedy, 11th Asian Film Festival (Taipei, 1964)

• Nujum Pak Belalang (Pak Belalang the Fortune Teller): Best Comedy, 7th Asian Film Festival (Tokyo, 1960)

• Pendekar Bujang Lapok (The Three Warrior Bachelors): Best Comedy, 6th Asian Film Festival (Kuala Lumpur, 1959)

• Sumpah Orang Minyak (Curse of the Oily Man): Best Black and White Photography, 5th Asian Film Festival (Manila, 1958

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