Tan Sri P. Ramlee (22 March 1929–29 May 1973) was an entertainment icon in Malaysia.

Ramlee was born Teuku Zakaria Teuku Nyak Puteh to Teuku Nyak Puteh Teuku Karim and Che Mah Hussein at his grandmother's house in Counter Hall, Penang, Malaysia. As a child, he studied in several schools, including the famous Penang Free School. During his school days he was very active in sports, especially sepak takraw , badminton, and football.

His first big break came on 1 June 1948 when he was spotted by Indian film director B. S. Rajhans from Malay Film Productions of Jalan Ampas , Singapore. The director was impressed by Ramlee, and in 1949 he was cast in the film Nasib (Fate). Seven years later, Ramlee directed his first film Penarik Becha (The Trishaw Man).

During his career he directed and acted in sixty-six films, and had more than 300 songs to his credit. Among his films that received awards are:

• Best Musical Score for Hang Tuah — Third Asian Film Festival, Hong Kong (1956)
• Best Male Actor for Anak-ku Sazali (My son, Sazali) — Fourth Asian Film Festival, Tokyo (1957)
• Best Comedy Film for Nujum Pak Belalang (The Fortune Teller) — Seventh Asian Film Festival, Tokyo (1960)
• Most Versatile Talent for Ibu Mertua Ku (My Mother In-law) — Tenth Asian Film Festival, Tokyo (1963)
• Best Comedy Film for Madu Tiga (Three Wives) — Eleventh Asian Film Festival, Taipei (1964)

He was married three times, the last to the legendary singer Salmah Ismail (or Saloma) in 1961. In 1986, in honour of his contributions to the Malaysian entertainment industry, the P. Ramlee Memorial was set up in Setapak , Kuala Lumpur.

External links

• Website on Tan Sri P. Ramlee
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