Happy birthday, Tan Sri P. Ramlee

GEORGE TOWN – Today, if the country’s great artist the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee were still alive, he would be 93 years old.

Although the auteur, whose real name was Teuku Zakaria Teuku Nyak Puteh, has left us for decades, his works are still fresh and ‘alive’ to his fans.

In conjunction with P. Ramlee's birthday which was celebrated with National Artists' Day today, The Vibes had the opportunity to meet Omar Md Hashim, 67, who is also the sole rights holder for all works related to P. Ramlee's biography.

Omar said he did not have the opportunity to meet the man, but he did get to know P. Ramlee's immediate family members, including the late's artist's only sibling, his brother known as Sheikh Ali.

“Sheikh Ali told me that P. Ramlee refused to go to Singapore after being invited by Shaw Brothers director B.S. Rajahns, who saw his talent while performing in Bukit Mertajam.

“P. Ramlee just wanted to work at a tin factory in Georgetown, following in his father’s footsteps. But after being persuaded by Sheikh Ali, he changed his mind and left for Singapore,” he said when met with his brother, Yusof Md Hashim, recently.

Omar, who is also a Boria performing arts activist in Penang, said many did not know that P. Ramlee was a very generous individual and often put the needs of others above his own.

He was also informed P. Ramlee never celebrated his birthday because he thought he was nobody.

“The late Datuk Aziz Sattar once told me when he and P. Ramlee were preparing to go out, P. Ramlee informed that he only had a piece of paper money (the amount was not informed) in his pocket.

“Suddenly a man knocked on the door of their house and told them of his predicament – and the man was from Penang.

“P. Ramlee can't bear to hear about Penang people in difficulties. He then handed all his money to the man, and in the end, they did not go out that night (because there was no money)”.

Omar said, apart from being known as a very generous individual, P. Ramlee was also a very loving father. He had five adopted children whom he raised since childhood.

The legend also, according to Omar, has many friends of various races and religions. And the pure personality of P. Ramlee can be seen in every film work he produces.

“He was not a racist. In fact, he had a good Indian friend who was also his neighbour in Georgetown. The two were good friends until the end of their lives.”

Omar said he still maintained good relations with Sheikh Ali's family members, as well as of the late Nasir P. Ramlee's in Kuala Lumpur.

He said he hoped to produce an animated work on P. Ramlee's life to ensure that every memory of the country's great artist can be remembered and respected by future generations.

"However, it is very high-cost. I hope there are any parties, whether corporate or government, who are willing to work together to realise my last dream.

"I am worried if the facts in P. Ramlee's biographies are exaggerated by irresponsible parties when I am gone," he concluded.

Last week, the government recognised that National Artists' Day will be celebrated on March 22 in conjunction with P Ramlee's birthday. Previously, it was commemorated on May 29. – The Vibes, March 22, 2022