Salmah Ismail
Encyclopedia
Puan Sri Datin Amar
Salmah binti Ismail,AMN or better known as Saloma (22 January 1935 - 25 April 1983) was a Malaysian film actress and singer. She was the third wife of the film actor, director
, singer, and songwriter
Tan Sri P. Ramlee
.
, Singapore
. Coming from a family with artistic leanings (both her sisters Mimi Loma and Mariani were famous actresses on their own right), she displayed histrionic talents of her own as a singer at weddings and family events at 13. As she became more well-known in Singapore she joined the Panca Sitara Group, a band of musicians under the leadership of P. Ramlee. Around this time she also sang with the Kalung Senandung Group at Radio Singapura and entertained acting offers in musical films of the era, usually playing P.Ramlee's love interest and/or the village ingenué.
Legend has it that her stage name was coined by Run Run Shaw of Shaw Bros when the film Salome
which starred Rita Hayworth
hit the box office. Other opinions favored the story that the name was given to her by her future husband P. Ramlee. They were married in 1961 and were widely regarded as the first true power couple of the Malaysian film industry. Apart from her artistry, Saloma was also famous as a screen beauty: her hourglass figure, magnificent hairdos and iconic kebaya dresses were copied by young ladies of the 60's.
Saloma's voice is best described by the Malay adage lemak merdu (literally creamy-melodious), a term connotating a sensuous honey-thick flow of sound with a lot of overtones. Although capable of perfectly executed high notes, usually her songs employed her middle voice, which was a mezzo-soprano
capable of transcending such genres as jazz, cha-cha, pop, and traditional Malay folk. The beauty of her voice was such that P. Ramlee once remarked he could not envision his songs sung by singers any other than Saloma. Their creative partnership in film and music was still unmatched in Malaysia today. Her contributions to Malaysian art was such that she was credited as Biduanita in the credits of her films, the term being equivalent to Italian prima donna assoluta. This was cemented by her awards Ahli Mangku Negara (1975) and Biduanita Negara (1979) respectively. Saloma was considered predecessor to such singers as Datuk Sharifah Aini and late Datin Rafeah Buang in terms of vocal type, repertoire and in setting a very high standard for Malaysian female vocalists.
Saloma survived P. Ramlee by a decade and continued singing in television programs and film soundtrack until her demise in 1983.
She also frequently partners P. Ramlee in memorable duets such as:
, Petaling Jaya
, Selangor
, Malaysia from liver failure associated with jaundice. She was buried at Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery
, Kuala Lumpur
next to the grave of her husband, P. Ramlee
. In 2003, in honour of her contributions to the Malaysian entertainment industry, the Saloma Bistro was set up in Jalan Ampang
, Kuala Lumpur
.
Malay titles
The Malay language has a complex system of titles and honorifics, which are still used extensively in Malaysia and Brunei. Singapore, whose Malay royalty was abolished by the British colonial government in 1891, has adopted civic titles for its leaders....
Salmah binti Ismail,AMN or better known as Saloma (22 January 1935 - 25 April 1983) was a Malaysian film actress and singer. She was the third wife of the film actor, director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, singer, and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
Tan Sri P. Ramlee
P. Ramlee
Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. P. Ramlee, was a Malaysian film actor, director, singer, songwriter, composer, and producer. Due to his contributions to the movie and music industry and his literary work, he is often considered the icon of Malay entertainment in Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra .-Biography:P...
.
Biography
Salmah was born on 22 January 1935 at Pasir PanjangPasir Panjang
Pasir Panjang is an area in the south-western part of Singapore. It is located at the southern part of the Queenstown Planning Area, an urban planning zone under the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Kent Ridge is a topographical feature which runs through Pasir Panjang.-Etymology:The name Pasir...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. Coming from a family with artistic leanings (both her sisters Mimi Loma and Mariani were famous actresses on their own right), she displayed histrionic talents of her own as a singer at weddings and family events at 13. As she became more well-known in Singapore she joined the Panca Sitara Group, a band of musicians under the leadership of P. Ramlee. Around this time she also sang with the Kalung Senandung Group at Radio Singapura and entertained acting offers in musical films of the era, usually playing P.Ramlee's love interest and/or the village ingenué.
Legend has it that her stage name was coined by Run Run Shaw of Shaw Bros when the film Salome
Salome
Salome , the Daughter of Herodias , is known from the New Testament...
which starred Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth was an American film actress and dancer who attained fame during the 1940s as one of the era's top stars...
hit the box office. Other opinions favored the story that the name was given to her by her future husband P. Ramlee. They were married in 1961 and were widely regarded as the first true power couple of the Malaysian film industry. Apart from her artistry, Saloma was also famous as a screen beauty: her hourglass figure, magnificent hairdos and iconic kebaya dresses were copied by young ladies of the 60's.
Saloma's voice is best described by the Malay adage lemak merdu (literally creamy-melodious), a term connotating a sensuous honey-thick flow of sound with a lot of overtones. Although capable of perfectly executed high notes, usually her songs employed her middle voice, which was a mezzo-soprano
Mezzo-soprano
A mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above...
capable of transcending such genres as jazz, cha-cha, pop, and traditional Malay folk. The beauty of her voice was such that P. Ramlee once remarked he could not envision his songs sung by singers any other than Saloma. Their creative partnership in film and music was still unmatched in Malaysia today. Her contributions to Malaysian art was such that she was credited as Biduanita in the credits of her films, the term being equivalent to Italian prima donna assoluta. This was cemented by her awards Ahli Mangku Negara (1975) and Biduanita Negara (1979) respectively. Saloma was considered predecessor to such singers as Datuk Sharifah Aini and late Datin Rafeah Buang in terms of vocal type, repertoire and in setting a very high standard for Malaysian female vocalists.
Saloma survived P. Ramlee by a decade and continued singing in television programs and film soundtrack until her demise in 1983.
Songs
Saloma's solo works frequently features in the soundtracks of her film. Her voice was also sometimes used in dubbing, for example the female part of Taman Firdausi from Nasib Do Re Mi.- Mengapa Dirindu
- Kain Songket
- Bunga Tanjung
- Hilang Terang Timbul Gelap
- Perwira
- Tiru Macam Saya
- Inang Baru
- Bila Larut Malam
- Keroncong Singapura
- Tiga Abdul
- Aci Aci Buka Pintu
- Lagu Anak Rantau
- Bila Hati Telah Retak
- Tari Silat Melayu
- Bossanova
- Selamat Hari Raya
- Air Mata di Kuala Lumpur
- Kelohan
She also frequently partners P. Ramlee in memorable duets such as:
- Gelora
- Malam Kubermimpi
- Burung Pungguk
- Di Mana Suara Burung Kenari
- Hancur Badan Dikandung Tanah
- Joget Malaysia
- Rukun Islam
- Sri Bulan
- Jikalau Kutahu
- Bahagia
- Saat yang Bahagia
- Dalam Air Terbayang Wajah
- Sedangkan Lidah Lagi Tergigit
Films
- Ahmad Albab
- Seniman Bujang Lapok
- Ragam P. Ramlee
- Sabaruddin Tukang Kasut
- Bila Hati Telah Retak
- Si Tanggang
Death & Legacy
Saloma died on 25 April 1983 at Assunta HospitalAssunta Hospital
Assunta Hospital is a private hospital in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. Opened in 1957 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, the hospital started the first private nursing school in the country.-Famous patients:...
, Petaling Jaya
Petaling Jaya
Petaling Jaya is a Malaysian city originally developed as a satellite township for Kuala Lumpur comprising mostly residential and some industrial areas. It is located in the Petaling district of Selangor with an area of approximately 97.2 km². On 20 June 2006, Petaling Jaya was granted a...
, Selangor
Selangor
Selangor also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity") is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sembilan to the south and the Strait of Malacca to the west...
, Malaysia from liver failure associated with jaundice. She was buried at Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery
Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery
Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery is a cemetery at the Kuala Lumpur city centre, Malaysia. It is located at Jalan Ampang near KLCC.- Notable burials :*Tan Sri P. Ramlee – Malaysian film actor, director singer, and songwriter. ...
, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
next to the grave of her husband, P. Ramlee
P. Ramlee
Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. P. Ramlee, was a Malaysian film actor, director, singer, songwriter, composer, and producer. Due to his contributions to the movie and music industry and his literary work, he is often considered the icon of Malay entertainment in Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra .-Biography:P...
. In 2003, in honour of her contributions to the Malaysian entertainment industry, the Saloma Bistro was set up in Jalan Ampang
Jalan Ampang
Jalan Ampang is a major road in Klang Valley region, Selangor and Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.-Proposal to rename Jalan Ampang to Jalan Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad:...
, Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
.