Malaysia's Legend
[Film & Music Appreciation]
- Classic Malay Cinema -
About P. Ramlee
Tan Sri P. Ramlee (22 March 1929–29 May 1973) was a Malaysian film actor, director singer, 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.
Malaysia's Most Talented Son
P.Ramlee was born in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia on 22nd March 1929, which coincided with the Hari Raya Raya Aidil Fitri.
His father, Teuku Nyak Puteh Teuku Karim and mother, Che Mah Hussein named him Teuku Zakaria Teuku Nyak Puteh. 'Teuku' is a title for the descendants of noble families from Acheh in Sumatra, Indonesia. His father was a sailor from Lho' Seumawe in the province of Acheh who migrated to Penang, Malaya.
P. Ramlee received his early education in Kampung Jawa Malay School and from 1939-1941 he studied in Francis Light English School.
During WWII, Malaya was under the Japanese occupation and P.Ramlee worked in a tin production factory before enrolling in the Japanese Navy School 'Kaigun Gakko'. After the war, from 1945-1947, he studied in Penang Free School.