2003 / 3

From: Zaedi Zolkafli
To: Shaik Asgar b. Shaik Ibrahim
Sent: 18 October, 2003
Subject: The Works And Charisma Of Tan Sri P Ramlee

Hi Shaik Asgar,
I remember reading it somewhere. It was 1973, P Ramlee attended the Asian Film Festival in Singapore. He was given a seat at the back rows during that occasion. The front seats were reserved for the new kids in the block. Later at actor/singer Ahmad Daud's flat, P Ramlee said that he felt saddened because people already forgotten him. To this Ahmad Daud said, "Abang Ramlee, you will still be remembered 100 years after you gone." True.

1972 was the end of P Ramlee's acting career. He released his last movie 'Laxmana Do Re Mi' that year. He was as charming but overweight hero. The Merdeka Film Production was awful -- the script, props, costumes, support acts, camera, etc. -- just like a Malay saying, "asal siap dapat duit" (let's finish and get paid). The creative culture in Kuala Lumpur was unlike old Jalan Ampas Studio. In fact, the rotten state of present Malay films could be traced to that period.

P Ramlee left a successful career in Singapore to jump start the film industry in Malaysia. (Note: Malay Film Production and Cathay Keris Production were based in Singapore. Merdeka Studio Production in Ulu Klang was taken-over by owners of MFP). In December 1970 P Ramlee and H M Shah started a production company, 'Malaysian Film Industry' ('Perusahaan Film Malaysia' or 'Perfima') later joined by a few friends, including actor Jins Shamsudin. However, nothing materialized due to internal bickering. P Ramlee also set-up another company, 'Rumpun Melayu Film' with H M Shah. Rumpun Melayu rented the old 'Queen Cinema' at former 'Lucky World' in Kuala Lumpur and converted into 'Pawagam P Ramlee'. These were his attempts at film production and distribution.

During the critical transition, P Ramlee obviously didn't get support from Malaysian government. For starters, he should be given a film grant to realize his vision. He had wanted to become a film producer (which is not unusual for top Hollywood actors in retirement). Perhaps, his biggest regret was not able to make a color film (Note: First MFP film in color, 'Hang Tuah' (1956) featured P Ramlee was directed by Phani Majumdar). Even better to build a film school dedicated to P Ramlee while he still alive. He died at a young age of 44 in 1973. Sadly, we let our industry icon passed away in shame. To honor someone with a Tan Sriship long after he died is meaningless. Recently (i.e. thirty years later), Pemuda UMNO in Malaysia quarreled with Singapore over ownership of P Ramlee. Of course, these young politicians were still in diapers back then.

Shaik Asgar wrote in Fans of P Ramlee:

>Thanks for circulating. As the late Ahmad Daud told him "Abang, you will be remembered forever and ever...". The motivation given by Ahmad Daud to the grieved and disappointed P Ramlee one night when the latter was jeered by some youngsters worked magic till this very day. The wonderful part was that Ramlee did not have the financial means or political power to corrupt the public to hold him in high esteem.
>
>Rgds
>Shaik Asgar b. Shaik Ibrahim

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From: Shaik Asgar b. Shaik Ibrahim
To: Fans of P Ramlee
Sent: 3 October, 2003
Subject: The Works And Charisma Of Tan Sri P Ramlee

While the nation today watches TV everyday to see programmes of the Malaysian Prime Minister who says he is retiring in October 03, we should also ponder on the works and charisma of the late Tan Sri P Ramlee whose legacy through his movies upgraded the morale of the Malay race. Like Dr. Mahathir who shone in politics and national leadership, P Ramlee did his part long before Mahathir came into the limelight. The commitments of P Ramlee in the field of arts and music should not be taken lightly. Unfortunately during his time, the arts and music industry was not accorded the veneration like today. Apart from winning the Golden Harvest awards for excelling in his movies, he did not receive any opportunities to enhance arts and music academically. There were no institutions pertaining to arts and music then and the people took a cynical view of music and acting. Malaysian parents did not want to marry off their children to artistes that easily. People in the industry were not earning that high compared to those in the other sectors. P Ramlee was the first Malay actor to receive a decoration from the then Malayan government, i.e. the A.M.N. from the third Malaysian King since the country's independence. The other veterans like Jins Shamsudin, Jamil Sulong, Ahmad Nawab etc. received theirs only after the 90's. No one could match him in his lifetime. Therefore, P Ramlee's charisma could be likened to that of the late Sir Lawrence Olivier. Even famous actors of the west like Sean Connery and Roger Moore received their knighthoods during the 90's. P Ramlee's commitments in his endeavours could be said in a famous Malay saying, "genggam bara api biar sampai jadi arang" ( squeeze the burning charcoal until the fire burns out. ) It has been said that P Ramlee would be up every morning at 4.00 am, and headed straight for his piano. He seriously trained all the actors involved in his movies and made them what they are today. The late Normadiah said that husband Aziz Jaafar was given vocal training so intensively until he vomitted. Beloved wife Saloma was never spared any mercy either. The public would laugh at the comic in his movies but not many realise that he directs the movies with thunder in his hands that send chill in the backs of the actors. Nevertheless through sincerity, he was the one who recommended the names of Jamil Sulong and Omar Rojik to Run Run Shaw so that both could be made directors. The success of the Malay music and arts industry is owed to the works and charisma of the late Tan Sri P Ramlee. It is rightful for his name to be recorded with golden ink in the history of the nation alongside all the national leaders.

Best regards
Shaik Asgar b. Shaik Ibrahim

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From: Zaedi Zolkafli
To: Siti Safura
Sent: 2 October, 2003
Subject: Please help;)

Hi Siti,
Glad to meet a talented person like you. We have plans to upload P Ramlee's music notes at the Cyber Museum, but it would take quite a while. In the meantime, we would suggest that you look for these P Ramlee music books: 'Irama Lagu' (1994), 'Gelora' (1995) and 'Air mata di Kuala Lumpur' (1996) compiled by Ahmad Sarji and Johari Salleh. They were published by the Malaysian Harvard Club long ago and no longer available at bookstores. Maybe you could enquire to buy through the Club's website (about RM100 a piece!) or just rent from Pustaka Negara.

View list of P Ramlee books at:
www.p-ramlee.com/p-ramlee/book.htm

Siti Safura wrote:

>Would you like give any suggestion on how can i get P Ramlee's master pieces so that i can play them using my piano. Thank you for your support.

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From: Zaedi Zolkafli
To: Fans of P Ramlee
Sent: 12 September, 2003
Subject: Anak-ku Sazali

Greetings,
Attached below correspondences between Joyce Bradbury and Shaik Asgar. For people who just joined the list, Joyce Bradbury took part during the ballroom scene in 'Anak-ku Sazali' (1956). She had since migrated to Australia. Shaik Asgar is one of the regular contributors to Fans of P Ramlee.

We welcome comments from all in the list.

Joyce Bradbury of Sydney, Australia wrote:

>Dear Shaik. Tom told me today he has sent you a photograph of myself. Unfortunately I do not have a scanner. I am unrecognisable in the movie as I appear in the background of the ball room scene just getting to my feet. I did not have any speaking part. I was invited to take part by one of the Europeans who apparently knew Run Run Shaw. I did not know P Ramlee personally. I came to Australia a few months after the movie and have lived here ever since. Any aspirations I had for a movie career came to a full stop when I met my now husband and gave birth to my three sons. Regards. Joyce.

Shaik Asgar wrote:

>Dear Joyce,
>I got your e-mail ID from Tom and I am happy to able to keep in touch with you. I have known quite a bit about you eversince I knew of your involvement in the movie 'Anak-ku Sazali'. When the movie was produced, I was two and a half years old. I have been a great fan of the late P Ramlee eversince I learned how to talk (and sing). I have not missed a single of his movie eversince I was six years old while I have been watching his earlier ones through reruns on TV. I am waiting to see 'Anak-ku Sazali' again and will specially wait for the ballroom scene to see you in it. I have been trying to recall the scene since Tom told us about it but I cannot seem to. The nearest I could get is the scene showing bad boy Sazali who grew up to be a thug taking out a large pile of money from the wall safe to be given to his boys so that a party could be thrown the same night. He then left his office but the party could be the ballroom scene. Maybe the scene was taken off because of certain reasons. Tom told me that he would be watching the VCD of the movie but he has not come back to me yet. How were you selected together with rest to be in the movie? Were there any rehearsals involved? How soon after the movie did you emigrate to Australia? Were you not interested then to pursue a career in acting? Did you personally know P Ramlee? Do you still have any friends or relatives in Malaysia or Singapore?
>
>Several months ago, there was a musical show on TV. One of the guest artistes was Tony Castello ( who played young Sazali ). He played the theme song of 'Anak-ku Sazali' on his trumpet and did it so well. He could be nearing 60 now but looked very immaculate. I hope you can tell me more about your experience in the movie.
>
>I have also requested Tom that after seeing your pictures taken in the 50's in which you looked pretty, I would like to have a most recent picture of you and your family ( including Tom ). I hope I can be spared the privilege. Looking forward to hear from you.
>
>Bye/best regards
>Shaik Asgar b. Shaik Ibrahim