Saloma

Saloma was a legendary singer and film actress from Singapore and Malaysia.

She became a major star during the late 1950s. Her voice was famously described as "lemak merdu," meaning it was full, thick, and sweet. Beyond her music, she was a major fashion icon and a trendsetter. Some people even called her the "Marilyn Monroe of Asia" because of her massive popularity. She played a vital role in the entertainment history of her region.

Saloma was born Salmah binti Ismail on 22 January 1935. She was born in Pasir Panjang, Singapore, which was then part of the Straits Settlements. Her parents were Ismail Osman and Umi Kalsom Mahban. She was the third daughter in a large family with seven siblings. Her sister Mariani was also an actress. Another sister, Jasmaniah Ismail, became a singer. During World War II, Saloma and Mariani helped their father in paddy fields in Selangor. Later, they moved back to Singapore to live with their mother and stepfather, Mum Yusoff. He was a musician for a keroncong group called The Singapore Boys.

Her professional journey began with music at a very young age. She sang with local street bands when she was only five years old. At age 13, her stepfather introduced her to audiences at The New World Cabaret. She performed the song "Seven Lonely Days" by Georgia Gibbs. Her singing style immediately impressed the crowd. A major turning point occurred at Radio Malaya. A scheduled singer named Rokiah Hanafi did not appear for a performance. Saloma stepped in to sing the songs instead. This successful performance led to many offers from various orchestras.

Saloma's career involved both singing and acting, though she preferred singing. She signed with EMI music records and released many EP albums. These included *Dendang Saloma* in 1957 and *Aslirama* in 1972. Her famous songs included "Selamat Pengantin Baru" and "Bila Larut Malam." As an actress, she worked with Nusantara Film in movies like *Pelangi* and *Norma*.

She also acted in films for Malay Film Productions, such as *Empat Isteri*. Her most notable acting roles were in *Seniman Bujang Lapok*, *Ragam P. Ramlee*, and *Ahmad Albab*. In the latter, she played a character named Mastura.

Her personal life was deeply connected to the film industry. In 1950, she fell in love with the actor P. Ramlee after seeing him in the film *Aloha*. She married him in 1961. They were a very famous couple in the entertainment world. She had also been married to director A.R. Tompel and Kaswan Yusak. She had one son, Armali Bin Aman Ramlie, born in 1953. After P. Ramlee died in 1973, Saloma suffered from deep grief and depression. This affected her health significantly. She passed away on 25 April 1983 at the age of 48 due to liver failure associated with jaundice.

Saloma received many honors for her massive contributions to music. In 1978, the Malaysian government awarded her the title *Biduanita Negara*. This translates to "First National Songbird."

Her legacy is preserved in many ways today. A restaurant called the Saloma Bistro and Theatre Restaurant opened in Kuala Lumpur in 2003. There is also a pedestrian footbridge called the Saloma Link.

In 2014, a two-part film was made about her life, starring Nabila Huda. She was even celebrated with a Google Doodle in 2020.

Her life remains a significant part of Southeast Asian cultural history. She bridged the worlds of music, film, and fashion. Her ability to perform in different styles, like rumba or Arabic melodies, showed her great skill. She worked with famous orchestras like Orkes Al Aishu Wal Meleh and Panca Sitara. Her influence can still be seen in the way people remember the golden age of Malay cinema. She remains a symbol of talent and grace in Malaysia and Singapore.