this article

RAM - ASEMI-MUSICAl
IV: Hana Azad Khan
SYNOPSIS
Romeli Paiman or RAM is the lead singer of the Kembara band. Once,
the band entered a singing competition, rendering P. Ramlee's and
Saloma's songs. The competition was held at a special studio and
was recorded by a TV Station. In this programme, audience was given
the opportunity to participate. It is here that chaos took place. Several
audience stood up to give their opinion. Others participated by giving
their views regarding the competition. One of P. Ramlee's ardent fans
argued with two other audience with different perspectives on the
competition. This chaos forces the organizer to request assistance from
the panel judges and the security personnel. Supporters from the two
groups even threatened to throw a rotten egg.
The Kembara band won all three categories in the competition. RAM
championed the P. Ramlee trophy while Sally stole the limelight for the
Saloma trophy. In addition they both won first prize in the duet category.
Idin, the head of Kembara band was pressured by this development
because RAM no longer wants to sing songs from other singers except
P. Ramlee's. Sally too followed suit although she prefers to sing songs
by other singers.
RAM truly believed that he is the true reincarnation of P. Ramlee
and the recipient of this Great Artiste's legacy. He continued to emulate
the way P. Ramlee speaks, acts and dresses, oblivious to others until
P. Ramlee himself came to advise him in a vision he encountered.
278
HATTA AlAD KHAN
CHARACTER AND CHARACTERISATION
RAM
His real name is ROMELI PAIMAN. He is in his 20s. P. RAMLEE fan,
he believes that he is the reincarnation of the 'Great Artiste'.
SALLY
She is a young woman in her 20s. Her real name is SALIMAH SAMEON.
She is RAM's first cousin and is convinced by RAM to become his duet
partner for SALOMA's songs.
lOIN
His real name is ZAIDIN TAMB!. He is the drummer and leader of
the Kembara band. He plays the drums, the guitar and the keyboard.
Although he is a talented composer, he does not possess a good voice
to sing his own compositions. He too becomes the victim of RAM's
fanaticism towards singing only P. RAMLEE's songs.
TED
She is in her 20s, likes to dress and act like a man. Her real name
is TENGKU EMILY DAHLAN. She is rugged, bubbly and cheerful.
She always makes rational decisions and actions. She plays the
keyboard.
KOYOK
He is the bass guitar player. He is a quiet and easy going young man.
His left forehead is always plastered with koyok (a type of healing balm)
as he is always complaining of headaches. He is a loyal member of
the band.
IJAN
She is the rhythm guitarist. IJAN backs up lOIN.
BLUE
He is the lead guitarist. BLUE backs up RAM.
P. RAMLEE
The Great Artiste who comes to see RAM.
WAKPAIMAN
His full name is PAIMAN MARJAN. He is father to RAM and is always
boggled over RAM's crazy attitude.
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MALAY LITERATURE
MAKSUTINAH
She is wife to WAK PAIMAN and mother to RAM. She fully supports
her son's passion.
HOST 1
A 20 year old young man, well groomed and is easily panicked.
HOST 2
An accentric 20 year old young woman who always tries to promote
herself.
HANIM
She is a woman in her late 20s, well groomed and stylishly dressed. Her
view on fanaticism over P. RAMLEE is always presented rationally.
MIMI
She is HAN 1M's close friend. They are of the same age.
REMY
He is a good looking young man who is often over-dressed. He is a
loyal supporter of P. RAM LEE and is sensitive towards criticism over his
icon. He engages in a fight with one of the audience in the competition
studio.
AUDIENCE 1 & 2
Both are P. RAMLEE's ardent fan.
SECURITY GUARD
He is a middle aged skinny man who is always sleepy.
CHIEF JUDGE
He is a middle-aged man, stylishly dressed and speaks with confidence
and conviction.
HAJI MAT DEWA
He is well mannered middle aged man and is the owner of Dewa Dewi
Records.
IBU DEWI GEMALA SARI
Wife and business partner to HJ. MAT DEWA. She is an Indonesian.
280
HATIA AZAD KHAN
MAHYIDDIN, leader of the M. Nasir band.
WAN KAM also known as WAN KAMARUDDIN. He is the leader of
Panca Si Tera band.
ACT I
(A training room at the back of the stage. The group under lOIN'S
leadership is seen practicing and discussing. They are BLUE,
KOYOK, IJAN and RAM as the lead singer. RAM is singing one of
P. Ramlee's song, "Jeritan Batinku" with great passion. BLUE and
KOYOK were equally energetic but lOIN and IJAN could not wait
for the session to end. When the song ended, BLUE and KOYOK
clapped their hands).
BLUE
Lets' participate! This is our opportunity! Apart from
Ram, we heave Sally. We enter all categories, Male
Solo, Female Solo, Female Solo and Duet. We have
the chance to become famous!
lOIN
But this not what we've been looking for!
BLUE
Idin, this is a chance worth taking! We are not going
to let this pass! I truly believe we can succeed!
lOIN
You, and only you are determined! As for the rest,
seems like they are not!
RAM
Why not?
lOIN
Like I've said earlier, this is not what we are looking
for. We must have our own identity. I have composed
so many songs. All of it fits your voice and Sally's
beautifully. All we need is practice!
KOYOK
Eii! I am getting a headache! But I shall not confuse
myself further. I will just follow! Whichever song you
choose is fine with me. But ... this competition, if all
of us are willing to enter, we must begin practicing
now.
BLUE
Right! To me, if we are keen to participate, we might
as well win! Do not waste time and energy!!
lOIN
What will become of our original songs?
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MALAY LITERATURE
282
RAM
We put that on hold! The competition comes first.
lOIN
This competition is not as important as you think it is.
It'll bring us nowhere! This is a popularly competition!
There is nothing special about it! If you are in it, its
just for the cheap thrill! We should be moving forward
not backwards.
RAM
How can you say P. Ramlee is not important? You
know, he is a 'great artiste'. His songs have lasted
till now!!
lOIN
He is not important to our group!!
RAM
But he matters to me!!
lOIN
We must move as a group. Our purpose is not for
P. Ramlee's sake. He is no longer here. Forget
him. We don not need another P. Ramlee. We do
not need to follow his path. We must find our own.
If we succeed, it is our own effort and creativity!
Ram, your original voice is good enough. You do
not need to imitate someone else's voice!
RAM
I am not imitating. Everything seems to come out
naturally. I can feel it already. I feel its vibration. I
feel its spirit. I could feel like as if a blood transfusion
is flowing through my whole body. I could feel my
voice box moved, moved by his voice and rhythm.
Even the way I speak have changed!
lOIN
Oh please, spare me the details will you? You changed
it yourself. I can do the same!
RAM
The question is, are you in or out? If you decide not
to participate, I and Sally will leave the band and
enter the competition ourselves!
IJAN
Ehh! Can we please not make any rash decisions?!
You can't possibly leave after these two years
together? If we do something, it should be the whole
group doing it! Brother Idin, come, join us. What
could be the worst thing that'll happen? If we win,
our band's name will be famous!!
HATIA AZAD KHAN
KOYOK
Eii! I'm getting a headache!!
RAM
Is that all you can think of? Even the slightest thing
gives you headache! Now, all of us must make a
decision. If none of you have the courage, I will
decide!
lOIN
Are you threatening us!!
RAM
I am not! It is not that difficult to make a decision!! We
will lose nothing if we are in competition. Even if we
sing P. Ramlee and Saloma's songs, our standard
stays.
lOIN
It is all about them isn't it? P. Ramlee and Saloma!
It's like as if no one else exist! All the songs we
proposed are also sung like P. Ramlee! Ram, you
are not P. Ramlee!! You are Romeli Paiman!!
(SALL Y enters followed by TED).
TED
What's all the fuss about? I've just arrived and all
I see is all this verbal war among yourselves! Sally
brought me here and told stories about all of you!
What I see before me is just the opposite.
lOIN
And ... who might you be?
SALLY
I introduce to you Ted, our keyboardist! Come Ted,
meet the rest of the band!
TED
Kembara! Alright! Okay, if any of you have anything
to ask, ask away! Am I not to be interviewed? Ask,
ask anything! Perhaps ... how long have I played
the keyboard? Can I sing? Ask away!
(TED shook hands with everyone while they
introduce themselves).
lOIN
Everyone, take your place! We play this song).
(IDIN and BLUE did the audition on TED with the
keyboard. They accompanied RAM and SALL Y
singing "Ria Mesra Bersama'J
RAM
Come ladies and gentleman.
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MALAY LITERATURE
Come Sir and Nyonya we dance.
Let us all sing and amuse our hearts
Shake you body, wave your hands, lift your feet.
SALLY
All of us only live once
Do not cry and dampen your hearts
Smile and laugh to heal our sadness
Sadness is worthless.
RAM
Five of us are related
Playing music, singing and dancing together
To amuse our hearts, our friend hearts and those
we know.
Merry and carefree.
RAM & SALLY
Come ladies and gentleman
Come Sir and Nyonya we dance
Let us all sing and amuse our hearts
Shake you body, wave you hands, lift your feet.
(As the song ends, TED looked at both RAM and
SALL Y in awe).
TED
Wow! Both of you sounded exactly like P. Ramlee
and Saloma!!
KOYOK
Well, that is part and parcel of our specialty!
TED
The best!
BLUE
Ted, if you don't mind me asking, where are you
from?
TED
Newcastle.
BLUE
TED
284
: England?
I':t.ta Bharu, Ketantan.
IJAN
... and your real name?
TED
Tengku Emily binti ... (repeat) ... Dahalan. To simplify,
just call me Ted.
IJAN
Tengku? Isn't that son or daughter of a king? A
prince?
HATTA AZAD KHAN
TED
King? Prince?
BLUE
If it begins with the title Tengku, it is often tied to the
son of a king right?
TED
In Kelantan, people often use the title Tengku. They
are fishmongers, vegetables sellers at Siti Khadijah
Market. Some even gateh taxis.
IJAN
Gateh Taxi? What's gateh?
TED
Cycle.
KOYOK
How can you cycle a taxi? You think it's easy to cycle
a taxi! It's mind boggling you know!!
TED
Sure you can because in Kelantan, taxis are not cars
but trishaws!
BLUE
And cars ... what do you call them?
TED
Kheto!
lOIN
So, cars are taxis?
TED
Yes, we call it kheto sewo.
KOYOK
Oh! These Kelantanese are a confusing lot!
BLUE
Why are you eager to become a man Ted?
TED
So, guys would be afraid to tease and disturb me.
When they begin liking me, then only willi reveal my
womanly self. If they are true men, I suppose they
will like me even more. But if they are not, they will
split and I am free at last! It sorts of show what kind
of a man he is, you know what I mean?
lOIN
Ooh! So, this is the way you figure out things?
(TED looked at RAM and SALL Y smiling).
TED
RAM and SALLY, the true man and woman! It's a
breath of fresh air. This will be a bomb!
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MALAY LITERATURE
286
BLUE
Sally and Ram is our group's duet!
IJAN
Singing P. Ramlee's and Saloma's songs.
KOYOK
We are entering a competition! But no decision as
yet.
TED
Good! At least it can become a teasing ground, to
measure where we stand! Winning and losing should
not be the concern! But if you feel that you are going
to lose, even before the competition, I beg you, do
not enter! Do not waste time and energy!
BLUE
We haven't even entered the competition! How are
we to know?
RAM
We can!! And we will ensure that we win!! We must
plan to win!
TED
That's the spirit! That's what I want to hear! I'm in!!
lOIN
Okay! That's it for today. We meet tomorrow at the
same time. About entering the competition, I will
take some time to think about it. I'll give my decision
tomorrow.
(All band members dispersed except SALL Yand
TED)
SALLY
Do you think I can become Saloma?
TED
Yes and no! No you can't because you are flat chested,
just like me except that I do not want to become
Saloma or anyone else. You can lie to yourself and
to others about being Saloma though. You have a
remarkable voice. The chest can be altered. The style
and gesture, the way you walk, the way you talk, can
be learned and faked. Hey! Malaysians love faked
goods anyway. They seemed to like being conned.
There is no appreciation for originality.
SALLY
You are right!! Ram's mother said the same thing!
You know, I already have strings of fans calling me
Sallyloma!
HATIA AlAD KHAN
TED
Truly, you are talented, with a great voice that equals
Saloma's.
SALLY
Ted, let's proceed with this? You can try coaxing
brother Idin into agreeing. This is very important to
brother Ram! I do not want him to get frustrated and
then, leave us just like that!
TED
What is brother Ram's real name?
SALLY
Romeli Paiman. It was changed to Ramli because of
his admiration towards P. Ramlee. Ramlee Paiman
equals P. Ramlee right? He adores P. Ramlee and
wants to be just like him. P. Ramlee seems to be his
only idol singer!
TED
Are the two of you siblings?
SALLY
I am brother Ram's cousin. My father, Pak Meon is
the brother to Mak Sutinah, brother Ram's mother.
So, I and brother Ram can be married if he wants
to and if I want him! But I think, for now, there is no
concern about feelings for each other as we have
none! Naturally, of course everyone have feelings!
TED
What about you and Idin?
SALLY
Brother Idin is my first cousin. He is not brother Ram's
cousin though.
TED
How is that? If you and Ram are first cousins, Ram
and Idin must surely be first cousins too right?
SALLY
No, they are not. I and brother Ram are first cousins
from my father's side. My father is brother to Ram's
mother. I and brother Idin on the other hand are first
cousins on my mother's side. My mother is sister to
brother Idin's mother. It is in no way related to my
father and to Ram's mother and father. So, brother
Idin is my first cousin but not brother Ram's first
cousin, even if Ram is my first cousin. Brother Idin
and I cannot marry each other because we are both
first cousins from my mother's side as his mother
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MALAY LITERATURE
and my mother are sisters. Idin and Ram too cannot
tie the knot but you can, because you and Idin have
different mothers and fathers!!
TED
I am getting a headache!! So, that means all of
you are somehow related to each other. Now I see
where the talent comes from. I suppose all of you
are DKJ!!
SALLY
DKJ?
TED
Darah Keturunan Jawa (Javanese blood)!
SALLY
Brother Idin is not. He doesn't have the tiniest Javanese
blood. His father is a Tambi from Malacca.
TED
But I've heard him speaking Javanese to you.
SALLY
Well, he does speak the language. It must have been
learnt from his Javanese primary school classmates.
All of them were Javanese except him.
TED
Aha! Too many cooks spoil the soup.
SALLY
No. Brother Idin's case is just the opposite. It is the soup
that spoils the cook! Imagine the whole class speaking
to him in Javanese. Eventually Javanese becomes
the only language he speaks of I suppose.
(TED and SALL Y adjourned).
ACT II
(The stage hall is packed. The stage is still dark. Music is heard and
simultaneously a slide was projected on screen written; FINAL P.
RAMLEEAND SALOMA SINGING COMPETITION. The CHORUS sang
and danced to the song "Hi/ang Berganti" (Lost and Found).
CHORUS
288
Not al/ that's lost must be found
Not al/ that dies must live again
Let nature decide
Let time come
With wind anew.
HATTA AZAD KHAN
Let what is lost remain lost
Let what dies remain as it is
Let's not forget what is lost
Let's not ridicule what is broken.
The new is to be sought, to be found
Not to replace but to remain.
Good to ponder and remember
But not binding nor blinding
The old becomes a guide
The spirit and the test
So we stand upright
Upon belief in oneself.
(At the ending of the music and song, the CHORUS
formed a pose in a form of a trophy).
HOST 1
Good evening and Welcome to the Finals of P.
Ramlee and Saloma Singing Competition. Before
we begin, let us just remind all of you that this
is not a competition to imitate the voice of P.
Ramlee and Saloma. This is a P. Ramlee and
Saloma Singing Competition. So, whether the
participants are able to sound like both of them
is not the criteria.
{One of the audience stood up and
screamed}.
AUDIENCE 1
Why not? Can an audience interfere in the
competition?
HOST 2
Let me explain. This competition will be recorded
as a Reality TV Programme. Apart from us, the
hosts of the programme, audience will also be
given the opportunity to participate.
HANIM
Looks like there will be lots of nonsense in this
programme.
(Another audience stood up).
AUDIENCE 2
I agree with our friend here. This competition is
conducted to find a replacement for P. Ramlee.
What is wrong with that! We will search till it is
found, even if it means that we have to circle the
whole Malaya to do it, we should!
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MALAY LITERATURE
290
HOST 2
I agree. I was planning to become one of the
participants in the programme but was offered a
host instead. Perhaps, iftime permits, I can sing
one of Saloma's songs!
HOST 1
I don't think that's necessary. Okay! I think we
should leave this matter to the panel judges. They
are respected individuals in the art of vocal and
songs. Let us call the Chief Judge to give his
opinion.
(One of the three panel judges placed at the
corner of the studio stood up to respond).
CHIEF JUDGE
We have been entrusted to choose participants
who can sing well. To sing well here means
that the participants must sing with proper voice
placing, with the right breathing technique, right
pitching, with musical dynamics and quality in
tone.
HOST 1
Yes! Those are the criteria of this competition
explained by the Chief Judge. I hope all of us
have understood it.
AUDIENCE 1
I do not understand. I am confused and do not
know all these criteria. But, I can guess what it
means. We are trying to search for the singer
with a voice as good as P. Ramlee's. Is that right?
P. Ramlee's voice is the best!
CHIEF JUDGE
I must add that we are not going to assess or give
high marks to participants with attire, moustache,
hair and the shape of a body that tries to imitate
the style of both P. Ramlee and Saloma!
AUDIENCE 2
That is not possible! That criteria is based on the
participant's creativity. We should give them a
chance and the freedom to do so. There is no
harm in imitating the looks and style! The better
the imitation, the better the performance! If we
do not take all of that into consideration, there
would be no need for such a competition! We
might as well organize a singing competition by
choosing songs from any singers out there!
HATTA AZAD KHAN
HOST 2
Ooh! That cannot be done. We have agreed to
the theme and concept of this programme with
the organizers and sponsors. We can't simply
decide on any songs. However, that can be done
in another competition.
HOST 1
Please take a seat. I have to explain something.
Each leader of the group will be asked: Who is
P. Ramlee? The panel judges will assess the
answer and give marks. We now call the leader
of Kembara, Mr. Zaidin.
(lOIN came out running from the right side of
the stage).
IDIN
P. Ramlee is a precious diamond in the world
of vocal arts especially in South East Asia. P.
Ramlee is the spirit, vibration and strength of the
Malay community in the entire region!
HOST 1
And now, let's call the leader of Panca Si Tera
band!
(WAN KAM came out running from the left
side of the studio).
HOST 2
The person is good looking and stylish. You are
not taken yet are you?
WAN KAM
My name is Wan Kamaruddin, also known as
Wan Kam. To me and my group, P. Ramlee is
everything beginning from the letter P. Penyanyi
(Singer), Pelakon (Actor), Pengarah (Director),
Pemuzik (Musician), Pelawak (Comedian) ...
HOST 1
Yes! There's no end to the P's. That is how great
P. Ramlee is and now, let us invite the leader of
the third group.
(MAHYIDDIN came out running from the right
side of the stage).
HOST 2
Another good looking young man and the name
of your group?
MAHYIDDIN
M. Nasir!
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MALAY LITERATURE
HOST 1
M. Nasir? Is M. Nasir part of the group?
HOST 2
Is he with us tonight?
MAHYIDDIN
Hold on. I shall reveal that in a short while. My
answer to who P. Ramlee is ... P. Ramlee is the
rhythm and song that cannot be separated. If it
is, songs will be lost and art will be destroyed!
HOST 1
Okay audience! Without further delay, we invite the
first group, M. Nasir to introduce themselves.
(Four young man and a young woman entered.
They introduced themselves and took their
place).
YOUNG MAN 1
I am Mahmud Nasir.
YOUNG MAN 2
I am Mohd. Nasir Yunus.
YOUNG WOMAN 1:
I am Mahani Nasir.
YOUNG MAN 3
I am Mahat Nasiron.
YOUNG MAN 4
I am Megat Nasir Megat Nazri.
HOST2
000. That is why all of them are called the M.
Nasir group. They are the sons and daughter of
Uncle Nasir.
HOST 1
Ladies and gentleman, we present to you the
group, M. Nasir! With their song "Sound of the
Guitar".
(The M. Nasir group sings the song sound of
the Guitar, rock style. The Chorus dance to
the fast music).
The sound of the guitar, rhyming twist
The young girl is excited
Listening happily to the upbeat song
Her heart pining, enticing
For a companion
To joyously dance with.
So melodious is the song
Inviting al/ to dance
292
HATTA AZAD KHAN
Choose a partner each
Or the sweet brown girl
Come if you want
Let's do the twist.
Ohl The sound of the guitar
Elating the heart's arousal
Ohl The fast rhythm
Wooing the heart's content
Ladies and gentleman
Come find your best partner.
The solo guitar and melody
Perfect tempo while dancing
Come sisters come brothers
Let's celebrate
To happy tunes for our hearts.
(Members ofM. Nasir's group and the CHORUS
was breathless but they stayed on stage to
listen to comments from the audience).
HOST 1
Let us hear what the audience have to say!
AUDIENCE 1
What is this? P. Ramlee has never recorded rock
songs!
CHIEF JUDGE
It is acceptable to turn P. Ramlee's songs into a
rock song. That is the creativity of the group and
its singer!
HOST 2
Yes, we can! We can even transform it into blues
or rap it. There is nothing wrong with that!
AUDIENCE 2
That is unacceptable! P. Ramlee and Saloma
is a package, not just referring to the voice but
all around; their build, posture, movements, the
way they dress, the way they walk and speak.
They have never performed like this, a worm-like
lunatic!
HOST 1
Wait, we are not searching for P. Ramlee and
Saloma!
AUDIENCE 1
Why not? Let us choose ourselves through SMS.
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MALAY LITERATURE
We are the fans and followers, we are the ones
who buys tickets, not the three judges. I say, let
us decide!
294
HOST 1
Hang in there brother! We will consider your
suggestions. SMS is rather lucrative isn't it? It's
income!
CHIEF JUDGE
No! That is not possible. If we let the audience
decide, they will only choose the participants
they like regardless of its quality such as a Singer
with a huge resonator, a singer that is able to
control his tremolo and breaking point. These
are qualities of a good voice!
AUDIENCE 2
I must apologise. I know nothing about music
and I believe that many in the audience are the
same. We have no clue whatsoever as to what
you have just said, pitching, intonation, tone and
the rest.
AUDIENCE 1
To us, a singer must have a good voice, it must
be melodious with rhythm and rhyme, highs and
lows. In simple words, they must know how to
sing!
HOST 2
Clever!! like the comments made by the
audience.
AUDIENCE 2
I have to add. That means it is a not off key,
doesn't crack, does not drown. We are saying
this because we know many current singers with
recording albums who can't sing. Their voice
are drowned, stunted and could not come out
naturally!
AUDIENCE 1
There are those who sang through their nose,
sounding like they are screeching, like Donald
Duck, like frogs calling out for rain. But, because
they are beautiful, they become instant recording
artiste.
HOST 2
But brother, it is important to have a beautiful
face!
HATTA fJJAD KHAN
HOST 1
Okay, we leave all of that to the panel judges.
They are all experts in the music and recording
industry. They have the proper qualifications as
well as experience in the music scene.
AUDIENCE 1
I know all of you have expert knowledge in music,
with degrees, titles and also known as great
teachers, and professors. But, you must know
that P. Ramlee and many other singers did not
even go for higher learning. Most of them are
SPM 3rd graders. There are those with form four,
those who fail their LCE's and also those with
only primary school education. But many have
succeeded. Some have become millionaires.
Some marry Datuks and even get the title Datuk
themselves.
HOST 1
Okay, that is enough! I wish to inform all of you
that we have with us today mister Haji Mat Dewa
with his wife, madam Dewi Gembala Sa pi. Madam
Dewi is the partner, and now wife to Tuan Haji.
IBU DEWI
Mas, tell him! That is wrong! Wrong!
HJ MAT DEWA
Correction please. It is not Dewi Gembala Sapi
but Dewi Gemala Sari.
HOST 1
Who wrote this script?! Why is it spelt this way?
What an embarrassment to Ibu Dewi. We must
apologise for the error.
IBU DEWI
Do you know what Gembala Sapi is? Do you
think that I am fit to be called a herdsman?
HOST 2
No, Madam. The Print is not that clear. Somehow,
it looks like a "b" is added in Gemala and the
letter "r' is typed as "p".
IBU DEWI
What a careless writer!
HOST 2
Not just careless madam, but stupid! Please
do not be worried. I will find him and then sack
him.
HOST 1
(Whispering) Wasn't it you who wrote this?
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MALAY LITERATURE
296
HOST 2
Again, Madam Dewi, we apologise for the
inconvenience caused.
HJ MAT DEWA
HOST 1
Enough already. Just sit down.
We must apologise again. Madam Dewi and
Mister Haji Mat Dewa are owners of the recording
company Dewa Dewi Records with headquarters
in Kuala Lumpur and branches in Jakarta.
HOST 2
The winners of today's competition will sign a
recording contract with Dewa Dewi Records. Let
us hear what Mister Dewa and Madam Dewi has
to say.
HJ MAT DEWA
I am a businessman. An artiste in the music
industry must have a complete package, voice,
looks, persona. With audience support he or she
will become popular. This is important as a good
voice alone is not enough. Popularity is extremely
important for marketing. If an album does not sell,
the recording company can be closed down. Our
market comes from the whole region. My wife
can affirm on that.
HOST 1
Yes! Madam Dewi Gemba ... ! Please Madam!
IBU DEWI
Yes, we are here solely for the sake of P. Ramlee.
This extraordinary artiste is still very much alive in
our hearts and souls and in the memories of his
fans, not only in Malaysia but also in Indonesia.
That is why I have convinced Pak Dewa, my
husband, to invest in this project.
HOST 1
Thank you Mister Dewa and Madam Dewi from
Dewa Dewi Records.
HOST 2
How wonderful, Dewa meets Dewi!
HJ MAT DEWA
If I may add. This search for P. Ramlee, yes, we
should. There is nothing wrong with it. It is the
right time to find a replacement! We cannot be
idolizing one P. Ramlee only. By any means and
ways, we must find, we must find the replacement!
His voice must represent the male virility and not
otherwise.
HATTA AZAD KHAN
HOST I
Yes! That's it! P. Ramlee's voice is a symbol of
male virility, and not a transvestite's.
HOST II
We now invite the second band, Kembara to
perform with their lead singers Ram and Sally.
(Under lOIN's leadership, the band accompanies
RAM and SALL Y rendering the songs "Getaran
Jiwa" (The Beating of My Soul), "Biarlah Aku
Pergi" (Let Me Go), "Dalam Air Terbayang
Wajah" (Your Appearance in the Ripple). The
CHORUS swayed to the various rhythm and
tempo of the song).
RAM
The beating of my soul ravaging my heart
A beauty in tone, rhythm and song
As simple as it may be
I am fulfilled
So uplifted
Know it all now my friend
SALLY
Let it cut in my chest
Let it suffer as my spirit struggle
What use are more words
Cutting anew deep in my heart
RAM
In the ripple I see your face
The lover I seek
My troubled heart at peace alas
To the beauty I embrace
SALLY
My memory paints a face
My lover My Might
Gentle and warm
As handsome as the elephant ...
(SALL Y and RAM bowed to the audience who
were cheering and clapping thunderously)
HOST 2
Yes! That is our own P. Ramlee and Saloma!
What has the audience got to say about this?
Is it what they truly want to hear?
HOST 1
As I have said at the beginning of the show, this
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MALAY LITERATURE
is a P. Ramlee and Saloma Singing Competition
and not a competition to find a replacement for
these Great Artistes.
AUDIENCE 1
The woman singer of this group, her breast is ..
one, just like ...
AUDIENCE 2
Not one but two!
AUDIENCE 1
Yes! The 'two' must be given marks.
HOST 1
But we do not know if it is original or faked!
AUDIENCE 2
The organizer must have checked on such things
before the participants come on stage!
HOST 1
This is definitely not by business!
AUDIENCE 2
We have a woman host here. Surely she can
check!
HOST 2
Enough already! Let us continue with the
programme.
HOST 1
Ladies and gentleman, it is now time for the third
group to perform their song "Dimana Kan Ku Cari
Ganti" (Where Shall I Seek You).
(They sing "Where Shall I Seek You" in an
Dangdut style. The CHORUS dance to their
tune).
Where shall I seek
For the one that resembles you
I could not bear losing you
My heart broken my life crumble.
How this heart aches
When you're gone
I am left alone
Just me in solitaire.
The lighted world becomes dark
Not even the light could heal
This acting heart and suffering
298
HATTA AZAD KHAN
When you left and did not return.
Where shall I seek you
Could it be in the heavens
For a friend in need
To cry together forever.
(After the song, music and dance ends, REMY
stood up).
REMY
Are you all crazy?! Is there such a thing as dangdut
in P. Ramlee's time?
CHIEF JUDGE
We are not living in P. Ramlee's era. This is year
2007. Dangdut is a music and song genre! So,
it is permissible.
AUDIENCE 1
You are the Chief Judge! You cannot defend a
competing participant! You cannot defend any
of them. You must be impartial!
CHIEF JUDGE
I am not defending or siding anyone. I am just
explaining the situation. Even if the song is
performed in the dangdut style, the singer has
articulated it clearly.
REMY
I wish to suggest to the panel to just do their job
and not try to speak up!!
AUDIENCE 1
Oh! Come on! All of us must be given the right
to speak up, to comment and assess.
(HANIM stood up to voice her opinion).
HANIM
I do not know why we are too obsessed with P.
Ramlee. If we continue with this mentality, we
will lose out. It seems like no one else is better
than P. Ramlee! I am sorry, but if P. Ramlee
continues to be is how we measure ourselves,
we will go nowhere! This era is a different era.
I am not saying that P. Ramlee is not worth our
respect. He is the icon of his time. We live in a
different plans now. We do not need P. Ramlee
to measure ourselves! There are very few artiste
out there, singers, directors, composers, world
299
MALAY LITERATURE
class musicians that has become our guide.
They have provided us the avenue to advance
ourselves, at arms length with the rest!
(REMY stood up to disagree).
300
REMY
Excuse me Miss, and who may you be? Trying
to downgrade P. Ramlee? Miss, are you a good
singer? Do you have a good voice? Come now,
sing us a song. I am sure all of us would like to
hear you sing.
HANIM
Where will that lead to? I am not a participant in
this competition!
REMY
Even if you are, you can never win. You will even
lose at the first round of the competition. Miss,
as citizens of this world, we must have a pure
heart. We should not envy others for no apparent
reason. P. Ramlee has gained recognition from
the whole world. Why must you even attempt to
challenge otherwise?
HANIM
The whole world? What a small world you have,
like a frog under a shell.
(REMY took out a chicken egg from his
pocket).
REMY
Here, you see this? Can you? Do you know what
this is?
HANIM
An egg? What is the connection between P. Ramlee
and your egg?
REMY
You say I'm a frog under a shell!! When this egg
hits your face, then you'll know who is the frog
underneath the shell!!
(MIMI, HANIM's friend stood up).
MIMI
Excuse me brother. I think you should relax. All
of us are allowed to voice our opinion. If you still
believe that P. Ramlee is great, please, tell us
now why he is!
REMY
What is not great about P. Ramlee? Everyone
I meet agree that he is great. It is only the two
HATIA AJ.AD KHAN
of you that does not agree with this fact and you
even mock him.
HANIM
REMY
I am not mocking him!!
Try, go on! Mock him and you shall smell this
rotten egg.
MIMI
Aha! You brought a rotten egg?
HANIM
How can they bring that into this studio?
HOST 1
Egg? Inside this studio? Call security! Hurry
up!!
(A thin slanting, tired and sleepy looking security
guard came running into the studio).
GUARD
What is the matter?
HANIM
Yes! How can this brother bring an egg into the
studio?
GUARD
Why not?
HANIM
Why didn't you run a check?
GUARD
Check? Why should I run a check?
HANIM
His egg can endanger others!
MIMI
Come Hanim. It's pointless. This half dead security
guard does not understand a word we are saying.
And you! Why are you looking like you are half
dead?
GUARD
I am a security guard\ I stay up at night. Surely
I'll be sleepy during the day!
(REMY reluctantly put the egg in his
pocket).
HANIM
Look! He is holding the egg in his pocket!
GUARD
His hand is his own. The pocket is his and the
egg is his too! He has the right to do anything
with his hands or inside his pocket!
301
MALAY LITERATURE
MIMI
He has point you know.
GUARD
Take out your egg! Now! I want to see it!
REMY
I have kept this egg for 100 days. If I break it now
can you imagine how it will smell like?
HANIM
This is dangerous! His egg is like a bomb. Check
his pocket!
GUARD
That is not my job! I am not doing it!
MIMI
Do you know what kind of egg that is? If it breaks,
everyone in the studio will freak out! Even three
weeks could not erase the smell!
302
CHIEF JUDGE
Hold on. Why are we talking about an egg? The
person with the egg! If you do not give the egg
to the security guard, I will instruct the organizers
to stop this programme.
HOST 1
And I will not announce the results!
decision! Quick!
HOST 2
Quick!! Make a decision!! Surrender the egg or ...
(REMY was reluctant but AUDIENCE I and 1/
gave a warning look. REMY took out the egg
from his pocket pants and surrendered it to
the security guard).
HOST 1
We are ready to announce the winners!! First,
based from audience SMS, the winner of P.
Ramlee and Saloma duet category is ... Ram
and Sally.
HOST 2
The winner of Saloma's song goes to .... Sally!!
(AUDIENCE: P. Ramleel! P. Ramleel! We have
found a replacement! P. Ramlee and Saloma!!
Long live P. Ramlee! Long live Saloma! Marry!!
Marry!!).
HOST 1
Settle down!! Sit first!! I haven't announced the
winners as chosen by the panel judges!!
(AUDIENCE: P. Ramlee!! P. Ramlee!! Saloma!!
Saloma!!).
Make a
HATTA AZAD KHAN
(CHORUS appeared amongst the audience,
dancing and swaying to the song "Senang
Hati". The audience got up and sang.
The condition becomes unruly and the
announcement by the Host could not be
heard).
CHORUS
My happy heart
The lost has been found
No more heartaches
What is broken has been mended.
HOST 2
We call all winners to the stage!!! Let us all sing
together!!
RAM
I am the awaited
I am the newfound substitute
Alike, Agrees in heart and soul
Doubt not distrust not
Fight not oppose not.
SALLY
This is the new
The chosen root
Though not alike
The style's alike
Though not alike
But sound alike
And share many colours too.
CHORUS
We sing any songs
With tone, voice and style alike
For all to be entertained
Laughing and joyously rejoicing.
HOST 1
Ram and Sally is P. Ramlee and Saloma!! They
will become the recording artiste for Dewa Dewi
Records.
HOST 2
They will also receive lucrative gifts such as ...
and they will become the host for a television
programme.
(The host's voice continues to drown. In
between CHORUS and AUDIENCE singing and
dancing, studio lights went dim and opens
into the veranda of WAK PAIMAN's house).
303
MALAY LITERATURE
ACT III
(The veranda ofWAK PAIMAN's house. lOIN, TED and IJAN is facing
WAK PAIMAN and MAK SUTINAH, RAM's father and mother).
304
IJAN
May I ask, what is Wak Paiman's relationship to
P. Ramlee?
WAKPAIMAN
None!
TED
No relationship at all!
WAK PAIMAN
We are both males. What kind of relationship
could we have?
IJAN
I mean, are you related to him?
WAK PAIMAN
Related? Me and P. Ramlee? I am Javanese.
P. Ramlee ancestors are from Acheh. He grew
up in Pulau Pinang and me, in Batu Pahat. Can't
you see the distance? How can I be related to
him? And why do you ask?
IJAN
Then, why have Ram become a fanatic P. Ramlee
fan?
WAKPAIMAN
That you should ask Mak Sutinah. She knows.
MAK SUTINAH
Why me?
WAK PAIMAN
We are talking about the fanatic fan of P. Ramlee.
She hangs P. Ramlee's pictures all over her room.
If the walls are not enough, she continues pasting
it at the door, her wardrobe and underneath her
table mirror. Even the toilet has P. Ramlee's face
in it. Eii! Is she not embarrassed that P. Ramlee
can see her doing her 'business'?
TED
Aaaah! So, that's the story. It is no wonder that
Ram believed that he is the reincarnation of P.
Ramlee.
WAK PAIMAN
She even dreams of P. Ramlee. She once gathered
her Hari Raya money for five years just to buy a
HATIA AZAD KHAN
train ticket to Singapore to meet P. Ramlee and
takes his pictures. Everytime P. Ramlee marries,
she sulks. Even I was forced to cut my hair and keep
my moustache just like P. Ramlee's. Go ahead,
ask her which classical Malay woman film star she
likes. None! She hates all P. Ramlee's heroines. I
had this black and white TV set with this window
at the front that can be opened or closed. She will
close them enough only to reveal P. Ramlee's
face. If she sees P. Ramlee with Kasma Booty,
with Saadiah or Sarimah, she will do the same.
When she saw his birth certificate being spelt as
Romeli, she was furious for a whole week. I had
to make an announcement in a special occasion
introducing him as Ram. Ramli uses the name
Ram which is actually Ramli. Romeli is actually
his Javanese name, Romeli Paiman.
lOIN
Wak Paiman, Mak Sutinah, I am in a dilemma. All
hopes are lost. The son of Wak Paiman and Mak
Sutinah only wants to sing P. Ramlee's songs.
Whatever I write or compose are all sung like its
P. Ramlee singing it.
MAK SUTINAH
But how? Ram and Sally has been announced
champions!
lOIN
Sally, you must help make him remember himself,
that he is Romeli Wak Paiman.
SALLY
Brother Idin, some people believe in reincarnation
or rebirth. I do not believe but who knows, God
may want P. Ramlee to reappear as Ram. This
could be an internally conscious process. The
spirit of P. Ramlee has gone into brother Ram's
body and he has accepted it without a fight!
IJAN
Many people in Malaysia can sing and imitate
P. Ramlee's voice but they have not claimed
themselves to be P. Ramlee!
SALLY
But this people act consciously. Brother Ram
doesn't! He becomes P. Ramlee without any
kind of consciousness.
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MALAY LITERATURE
MAK SUTINAH
Where can we find a male singer like P. Ramlee?
The ones around are all softees. It's good that
Ram is replacing P. Ramlee. We get to hear a
'true male' singing!
(From the house, RAM and SALL Y's voice
was heard singing the song "Di Mana Suara
Burung Kenari", a duet from P. Ramlee and
Saloma. The screen shows RAM and SALL Y
singing with their band in a jamming room).
ACT IV
(RAM was alone in the jamming room. He is checking some musical
instruments touching it lightly. He saw a shadow of a well build
man, sitting with his back to the stage. RAM approached the figure.
He was shocked! He knows the man).
306
RAM
Br ... brother.
P. RAMLEE
Sssy!! Do not tell anyone I'm here. I just want to
meet you alone. There is something important I
have to say and I want you to listen to what I have
to say. You see, there is only one P. Ramlee, not
two, not three. I have tried to be the best during
my time. That time has passed. Everything now
is pure memories. Forget about me! You are still
young. You have a lot of talent and energy with
friends to support you! You must become you!
Yourself! Do not try to become others. Do not
become me! You can never be me! I am what
I am and you are what you are. I am no longer
alive in this world. Let me rest in peace. Please
do not disturb me!
RAM
But I am your number one fan! I won brother! I won
the singing competition! Singing your songs!
P. RAMLEE
I know you are my number one fan. Thank you
but you do not have to be me or look like me!
There can only be one P. Ramlee, not two, not
three! You have the talent, the voice and the
style but, be yourself! Do not try to imitate me!
No one should become me! Everyone must be
HATIA ftlAD KHAN
sincere to themselves. You must also become
one, a sincere and hardworking person. You can
even become better than me!
RAM
I cannot be! You are the best brother!
P. RAMLEE
I am the best during my time! Your time is a
different era altogether! It is so much different
from my time. People may think that my voice is
like yours and not the other way round.
RAM
That is not possible! I am the one who is imitating
your voice!
P. RAMLEE
You do not need to do that anymore. During my
time, no one could challenge my voice. It is the
one voice that mesmerized everyone.
(CHORUS enters circling P. Ramlee as his
shadow dissolves. CHORUS is singing
and dancing while encircling the confused
RAM).
(CHORUS left RAM and stood up, giving way
for MAK SUTINAH who is trying to wake RAM
up).
RAM
Where? Where is he!!
MAK SUTINAH
Who?
RAM
P. Ramlee!! He came to see me. Which way did
you enter? How can you not see him come out!!
MAK SUTINAH
Come out? I didn't see anything!!
RAM
I can't, I can't, I can't mother!
MAK SUTINAH
What can't you Ram? What can't you!
RAM
I can't be someone else! I cannot become P.
Ramlee!! There is only one P. Ramlee!!
MAK SUTINAH
That I know! Say no more! P. Ramlee has long
passed away. People out there are still crazy
about him though. Anyone who could imitate him
307
MALAY LITERATURE
will be accepted unconditionally. To date, you are
the best replica! You are worthy of it and people
have begun to accept it. There is no question
about it!
308
RAM
That is faking it mother! I forced myself to become
him! Deep inside my heart I know that I am not
P. Ramlee. I can never become him!
MAK SUTINAH
No one knows what's in your heart. What people
see is just your style, your face and they only
hear your voice! They do not suspect anything!
RAM
I do not want to lie to myself and to others
anymore.
MAK SUTINAH
You must think it over, very carefully Ram. Do
not make irrational decisions, decisions that
you will regret. Your popularity is secured and
people have accepted you. You are P. Ramlee's
replacement. There is no one else!
RAM
Mother, can you please call all my friends. I have
an important announcement to make.
(MAK SUTINAH took out her handphone and
began calling. RAM walks to and fro, thinking
of, reflecting and still looking for some sense
of his meeting with P. Ramlee. /DIN, SALL Y,
TED, KOYOK and BLUE are there).
RAM
As of today, I shall no longer sing P. Ramlee's
songs.
lOIN
Is this true what I'm hearing? Can you repeat it
please.
RAM
I will not sing P. Ramlee's songs anymore.
lOIN
Why?
RAM
Because P. Ramlee himself does not allow it.
IJAN
Oh come on. Don't try to pull our legs!
HATTA A1.AD KHAN
RAM
I'm not! This is a serious matter! I met him!
lOIN
P. Ramlee? You met P. Ramlee?
BLUE
When did you meet him? Why have you not invite
us along?
KOYOK
My goodness!! Isn't P. Ramlee? I'm already
getting a headache! How could you have met
P. Ramlee?!
RAM
P. Ramlee advised me! He told me that I must
not become him!
KOYOK
What is this! Eii, I'm getting headaches again!
SALLY
What is the matter Ram? I have been practicing
Saloma's songs like crazy! My friends have even
called me Sallyloma! Why? I have even bought
this cream to enlarge my ...
RAM
Stash it away!
SALLY
Why have you changed so suddenly?
RAM
No! I do not want to! I do not want to become
P. Ramlee! I want to be myself! I want to forget
about P. Ramlee. I want him erased from my
memory! He has forewarned me about this.
lOIN
Forewarned?
TED
The two of you are really crazy! We have just
secured a good standing. Fans are multiplying
and Dewa Dewi Records have confirmed our
recording dates!
KOYOK
It looks like our fans will disappear. Our concert
will be a failure! No one will invite us to perform
at corporate shows! Please, please don't give us
headaches. Please think again. You are P. Ramlee!
Sally is Sallyloma! Everyone has accepted this.
RAM
Koyok! Please do not transfer your headaches
309
MALAY LITERATURE
to me. This is my decision. Do you like Idin? Are
you satisfied? That I will no longer be the one
to stop you from bringing the band to wherever
you want them to be?
310
lOIN
It is not that you can't sing P. Ramlee's and
Saloma's songs but you and Sally does not
have to become them! You can always sing
songs from other singers! Or songs from our own
compositions!
SALLY
But, everyone knows us as we are! We have
carved a niche!
lOIN
I must admit that it is not easy to arrive at where
we are now. You are famous! Even if people
know that you are not P. Ramlee or Saloma.
TED
Our society is always the one who are ready to
be conned. This is an entertainment business.
People are no longer interested in the original.
This is a duplicated world, as long as they get it
free. That's all that matters!
BLUE
TV100 has already booked us a tour of the nation.
Let's rock them with P. Ramlee's songs. Imagine
this, The Reincarnation of P. Ramlee Concert!
People have accepted you. Sally has benefited
from your popularity! We all have!
RAM
We can discuss this again with organizers and
sponsors.
MAKSUTINAH
We are trying to spread his popularity and he is
not interested. What is happening to this boy?!
(MAK SUT/NAH stepped out but is pulled by
the CHORUS who are singing and dancing,
gathering all from the Kembara band to sing
and dance along. RAM sings, but he no longer
sings like P. Ram/ee).
CHORUS
No more imagination
No more dreams
Stop being anyone else
Be your ourself
HATTA AlAD KHAN
Change comes with yesterday's dream
Forgetting previous hope
Come down to earth
With a little soul searching
To start moving forward.
Come lets create our new dream
Lets determine our move
Composing our own new songs
Creating style name and identity.
No more imagination
No more dreams
Stop being anyone else
Be your ourself.
(Actors introduce themselves chronologically
bowing to the audience to show respect).
(Translated by Solehah Ishak)
311