Saloma

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Salmah binti Ismail KMN (P) AMN (Jawi: سلمه بنت إسماعيل; ‎ 22 January 1935 – 25 April 1983), better known by her stage name Saloma, was a Singaporean-Malaysian singer, film actress,

Saloma was well known for her vocal ability in singing, which was depicted as "lemak merdu", (a full, rather thick but sweet voice). She was signed with EMI music records and since then has released numerous EP's such as Dendang Saloma (1957), Bunga Negara (1963) and Aslirama (1972). Some of her most popular songs throughout her career included ‘Selamat Pengantin Baru’ and ‘Bila Larut Malam’.

Saloma also ventured in acting careers when she acted in several films such as Azimat (1958) and Kaki Kuda (1958). Some of her most memorable works as an actress were in Seniman Bujang Lapok (1961) as Cik Salmah, Ragam P. Ramlee (1964) and Ahmad Albab (1968) as Mastura.

Saloma was awarded the title

During the early 1950s, her dream career to become a singer did not go the way she had wanted. Instead, she started her career as a film actress, offered by Nusantara Film. Her first film was entitled Pelangi (Rainbow), which received positive reviews among the audiences. After that, she received few offers from Nusantara Film to act in other films. In that period, she had acted in two other films, entitled 'Perkahwinan Rahsia' (Secret Wedding) and 'Norma'. In January 1952, she was offered a minor role as a club singer in a film called 'Chinta Murni' (True Love) by Nusantara Film, directed by Aman Ramlie or better known as A.R Tompel (Aman Ramli Jaafar)

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. At the time, it was her fourth film.

After her last film with Nusantara Film Company, titled Sesal Tak Sudah (Lasting Regret), Saloma immediately ended her contract with the company. The reason given was that she needed a rest because of her pregnancy and her refusal to work with A.R Tompel, her ex-husband, any longer. At the end of 1952 until 1953, Saloma ended her career as a performer.

Restart: 1954–1960

After returning from her travel to Sarawak and Brunei on 23 July 1954, Saloma was offered by Pathe Company to record her voice. It was strongly supported by Syed Hamid, known as S.Hamid, who rose to fame at that time. They knew each other after acting in the film Sesal Tak Sudah. A song titled "Pandang Kasih" (Look of Love), composed by Rahmat Ali and lyrics by Ismadi, is a rumba-style while the song "Jika Tak Berjumpa" (If We Don't Meet) came from Arabic melodies which was then recomposed by S.Hussein Bagushir and lyrics by Wan Chu. Both of the songs were accompanied by Orkes Al Aishu Wal Meleh, conducted by S.Omar Bagushir. Saloma's first solo and also her first song recorded on vinyl by Pathe Company (numbered PTH 143) was "Pandang Kasih" while the song "Jika Tak Berjumpa" was her first duet with S.Hamid.

In 1955, Saloma was offered an acting role in a film by Malay Film Productions which she accepted. Her first film with Malay Film Productions was titled Empat Isteri (Four Wives). This was last film directed by B.S. Rajhans. The film also starred Daeng Haris, Normadiah, Latifah Omar and Salmah's sister, Mariam (as Mariani). During the year, Salomah also recorded several songs including "Burong Punggok" (The Owl). In February 1956, she was offered to replace actress Siput Sarawak in the film Adekku (My Younger Sibling). There were rumours said that Siput Sarawak had quit after most of the movie scenes recorded.

After her success as a singer and also an actress, Shaw Brothers studio decided to give her a more commercial name. She got her stage name based on the film 'Salome' starring Rita Hayworth. In the same year, Saloma joined Panca Sitara, a band led by P. Ramlee.

International success: 1961–1968

Saloma began singing at the age of seven and was a professional singer by the time she was in her teenage years. Her singing was more in the style of Ella Fitzgerald and Doris Day. While she did become an actress later on, she always said she preferred singing rather than acting. As a singer, she sharpened her talents with Orkes Fajar Murni, led by Yusof Osman, during the early year of her career. She was also involved with another orchestra, Panca Sitara, in the 1960s.

Personal life

In April 1952, a few months after the release of Chinta Murni, Malay film fans were shocked by the news that announced her marriage with A.R Tompel.^[2] At that time, A.R Tompel was a well known director and comedian while she was only beginning to be recognised with the film Norma. Their marriage lasted five months and they were divorced in September 1952 when Saloma was pregnant with their child.

According to her sister, Mariam, she was brought back to their house in Mount Emily to live with their mother.

In 1953, she gave birth to a son and only child, Armali Bin Aman Ramlie.

Saloma married the film actor, director, singer, songwriter, composer and

After the death of her husband, P. Ramlee, in 1973, Saloma was overwhelmed with grief and depression that took a toll on her health. It led her to suffer from a number of illnesses which caused her to look thin and sickly. She was admitted to Assunta Hospital, Petaling Jaya, Selangor before her death on 25 April 1983 at the age of 48 caused by liver failure associated with jaundice. She was buried at the Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur between the graves of her ex-husband Aman Ramlie and husband P. Ramlee.^[3]

Legacy

In 1978, she was awarded by the Malaysian government at Kecapi Awards as Biduanita Negara (National Songbird).^[4]

The Saloma Bistro and Theatre Restaurant at Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur was opened in 2003 and named after Saloma in honour of her contribution to the Malaysian entertainment industry. Furthermore, the Saloma Link, a pedestrian footbridge close to her grave, is also named after her.^[5] During her heyday, Saloma was also known as the 'Marilyn Monroe of the Asia', due to her ability to attract male adulation like the Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe.

In 2014, a two-part film titled Saloma Part 1: Mencuri Guruh and Saloma Part 2: Pandang Kaseh was made and Saloma was portrayed by Nabila Huda [ms].^[6][7]

Saloma was celebrated on a Google Doodle on 26 November 2020.^[4]

Discography

Albums

“EP" Albums by Saloma

• Dendang Saloma (1957)
• Dendang Saloma Album II (1957)
• Dendang Saloma Album III (1959)
• Bunga Negara (1963)
• Saloma (Damak) (1964)
• Lagu-2 Sukaramai China Di Nyanyikan Oleh Saloma (1964)
• Saloma Dan Ahmad Daud (1964)
• Sekalung Sakura Dari Saloma (1965)
• Saloma (Pulau Menghijau) (1965)
• Gadis Langkawi (1966)
• Sudah Kawin Kah Belom/Kenangan Di Padang Kota (Saloma dan Ahmad Daud)
• Guitar Berbunyi/Bintang Hati (Daripada Filem "Do-Re-Mi") (1966)
• Saloma (Menanti Kanda) (1967)
• Saloma (Aku Dia dan Lagu) (1968)
• Saloma (Entah Di Mana) (1969)
• Saloma (Chinchin Ku Ini) (1970)
• Saloma (Jangan Chemburu) (1971)
• Saloma (Aslirama) (1972)

Filmography

Films

Some memorable films acted by Saloma:

References

External links

• Saloma Profile,sinemamalaysia.com.my (Bahasa Malaysia)