How many of us know he died penniless? Many are shocked to know that, especially when he is often referred by his posthumous title of 'Tan Sri'? I chanced upon the documentary on History channel and I was surprised too.
Malaysians who are talented are likely to be found, being nurtured overseas because they are more likely to be spotted, and trained by professionals in a more conducive environment, with the latest equipment. Unless we can provide the same, we will continue to have talented 'P Ramlees' in different fields, found overseas, but will never find fulfillment in our own country. Talent Corp? I think they found some very talented opportunists who were more interested in bringing back their entitled 2 cars in the form of Rolls Royce or Mercedes, free of import duties.
Article from MalaysiaKini
Question: Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti?
Answer: Not in Malaysia
'Those who watched the heart wrenching P Ramlee documentary on the History Channel on Oct 31, 2010 must have gone to bed with a heavy heart.
It transpired that Malaysia's one and only film icon had died penniless and shunned by the public, including his own colleagues.
And the way it was done appears to have uncanny resemblances to what's happening today in Malaysia, almost 45 years after Ramlee returned to Malaysia.
The documentary, narrated by British actor, Timothy Watson and was 12 years in the making included precious interviews by some of his friends, actors and actresses who had passed on. The underlying tone was one of profound melancholy.
Ramlee, borne out of poverty along Caunter Hall Road at an Achenese community in Penang , had to endure the brutal Japanese occupation whose schools incidentally inculcated a certain discipline in him.
In his formative years then, this discipline proved crucial as a founding platform for his eventual brilliance, creativity and innovation in film and music.
He subsequently gained phenomenal success at Shaw brother's Jalan Ampas studios in Singapore. His success at Jalan Ampas was the apparent result of the studio's incredible milieu of experienced film crew, choreographers and directors which the Shaw brothers had assembled from India, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
With the load of management and finance off his shoulders, Ramlee was able to thrive and focus on his talent of creating music, acting and eventually direction, screenplay and editing.
The Shaw brothers invested and created such a conducive environment at Ampas that Singapore became the Mecca for the Malay film industry for an entire genre of actors and actresses from the whole of the Malay Archipelago from Pontianak to Penang to Medan.'
'The documentary brutally exposes how Ramlee tried in vain to set up P Ramlee productions, but was again shut out by this country's media and entertainment industry including RTM.
He had to sit in the canteen at Ankasapuri while Saloma had her own show in RTM! He could not secure any government aid, grants or 'Private Financial Initiatives' despite his passion for Malay music and culture.
He tried to reinvent himself and sought a bank loan - but was rejected! With his wealth of experience and in his early 40s then, he should have easily qualified.
Poor Ramlee didn't know that in Malaysia it is the "know who" that counts than the "know how". If he had known George Tan from the Carrian Group then, Ramlee may have received a few million from BMF without even having to pay back. Or he should have "nurtured" some connections like how some luminaries have.'
'All the belated accolades and titles were meaningless as far as the man himself was concerned. He died hopelessly broke and broken.
The documentary is not only an eye opener but a very good case study for anyone contemplating returning home to Malaysia.
Whether you are a scientist, engineer, accountant, doctor, etc, beware of the conditions enticing you to return.
If your kid is an aerospace engineer, a naval architect or a transplant surgeon, it's a no brainer that he/she should not return at all unless you are absolutely sure the country has the infrastructure and skilled manpower to support these fields.
Don't believe in these stories that you should come home to "help" and "develop" your areas of expertise. That's not going to happen. That sort of thing will only go to the chaps who have the connections.
Assess any offer carefully and do not trust anyone including this government. Make certain all agreements are enforceable in Singapore and the UK.'
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Malaysians who are talented are likely to be found, being nurtured overseas because they are more likely to be spotted, and trained by professionals in a more conducive environment, with the latest equipment. Unless we can provide the same, we will continue to have talented 'P Ramlees' in different fields, found overseas, but will never find fulfillment in our own country. Talent Corp? I think they found some very talented opportunists who were more interested in bringing back their entitled 2 cars in the form of Rolls Royce or Mercedes, free of import duties.
Article from MalaysiaKini
Question: Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti?
Answer: Not in Malaysia
'Those who watched the heart wrenching P Ramlee documentary on the History Channel on Oct 31, 2010 must have gone to bed with a heavy heart.
It transpired that Malaysia's one and only film icon had died penniless and shunned by the public, including his own colleagues.
And the way it was done appears to have uncanny resemblances to what's happening today in Malaysia, almost 45 years after Ramlee returned to Malaysia.
The documentary, narrated by British actor, Timothy Watson and was 12 years in the making included precious interviews by some of his friends, actors and actresses who had passed on. The underlying tone was one of profound melancholy.
Ramlee, borne out of poverty along Caunter Hall Road at an Achenese community in Penang , had to endure the brutal Japanese occupation whose schools incidentally inculcated a certain discipline in him.
In his formative years then, this discipline proved crucial as a founding platform for his eventual brilliance, creativity and innovation in film and music.
He subsequently gained phenomenal success at Shaw brother's Jalan Ampas studios in Singapore. His success at Jalan Ampas was the apparent result of the studio's incredible milieu of experienced film crew, choreographers and directors which the Shaw brothers had assembled from India, Hong Kong and Indonesia.
With the load of management and finance off his shoulders, Ramlee was able to thrive and focus on his talent of creating music, acting and eventually direction, screenplay and editing.
The Shaw brothers invested and created such a conducive environment at Ampas that Singapore became the Mecca for the Malay film industry for an entire genre of actors and actresses from the whole of the Malay Archipelago from Pontianak to Penang to Medan.'
'The documentary brutally exposes how Ramlee tried in vain to set up P Ramlee productions, but was again shut out by this country's media and entertainment industry including RTM.
He had to sit in the canteen at Ankasapuri while Saloma had her own show in RTM! He could not secure any government aid, grants or 'Private Financial Initiatives' despite his passion for Malay music and culture.
He tried to reinvent himself and sought a bank loan - but was rejected! With his wealth of experience and in his early 40s then, he should have easily qualified.
Poor Ramlee didn't know that in Malaysia it is the "know who" that counts than the "know how". If he had known George Tan from the Carrian Group then, Ramlee may have received a few million from BMF without even having to pay back. Or he should have "nurtured" some connections like how some luminaries have.'
'All the belated accolades and titles were meaningless as far as the man himself was concerned. He died hopelessly broke and broken.
The documentary is not only an eye opener but a very good case study for anyone contemplating returning home to Malaysia.
Whether you are a scientist, engineer, accountant, doctor, etc, beware of the conditions enticing you to return.
If your kid is an aerospace engineer, a naval architect or a transplant surgeon, it's a no brainer that he/she should not return at all unless you are absolutely sure the country has the infrastructure and skilled manpower to support these fields.
Don't believe in these stories that you should come home to "help" and "develop" your areas of expertise. That's not going to happen. That sort of thing will only go to the chaps who have the connections.
Assess any offer carefully and do not trust anyone including this government. Make certain all agreements are enforceable in Singapore and the UK.'
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