P. Ramlee's Connection to the Former Queen of Perak

Malaysians are well-acquainted with the legendary artist P. Ramlee. We have been entertained by the films he created and starred in since we were young until now. One never tires of watching his films, even after seeing them repeatedly.

Perhaps many do not know that P. Ramlee's birth name was Teuku Zakaria bin Teuku Nyak Puteh. The name 'Ramlee' actually came from his grandmother, who found it difficult to pronounce 'Teuku Zakaria'.

P. Ramlee's Parents

Returning to the connection mentioned in the title, Ramlee Puteh, or better known as P. Ramlee, indeed has family ties to a Perak-born individual, as his second wife was Noorizan Mohd Noor. Interestingly, for our loyal readers at orangperak.com, Noorizan Mohd Noor was the former wife of the 32nd Sultan of Perak, the late Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah, which indirectly makes her a former Queen of Perak.

If you were unaware, the late Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah was the grandfather of Sultan Nazrin Shah (the 35th Sultan of Perak) and the father of the late Sultan Azlan Shah (the 34th Sultan of Perak).

The late Sultan Yussuf Izzuddin Shah (32nd Sultan of Perak)

As previously mentioned, Noorizan Mohd Noor and P. Ramlee were married on February 6, 1955. Noorizan hoped for more from their marriage, but P. Ramlee focused his life on his artistic career, which led to their divorce on October 16, 1961.

Their marriage began to falter while P. Ramlee was producing the film Ibu Mertua Ku. Their relationship was like waves in a storm—peaceful one moment, arguing the next. That was the nature of their marriage, and it was in that atmosphere that P. Ramlee composed three songs: Jeritan Bathinku, Jangan Tinggal Daku, and Di Manakan Ku Cari Ganti.

While composing his songs, P. Ramlee told Noorizan, "If I am no longer here, these songs will be your replacement and a memory in your life!" Even after they separated, P. Ramlee and Noorizan maintained a good relationship, with both respecting each other.

Perhaps you, as a loyal reader of orangperak.com, have noticed that Noorizan acted in the film Laksamana Do Re Mi in 1973. Twelve years after their divorce, Noorizan was offered the role of the Queen of Pasir Berdengung by P. Ramlee.

P. Ramlee's Grave

Noorizan Mohd Noor passed away in Kuala Lumpur on May 15, 1992, at the age of 65.