Saloma
Singaporean-Malaysian singer and actress known for her sweet, full voice.
Salmah binti Ismail (22 January 1935 – 25 April 1983), better known as Saloma, was a Singaporean-Malaysian singer, film actress, trendsetter, and fashion icon who became famous in the late 1950s. Her voice was often described as "lemak merdu"—full, rich, and sweet. She recorded with EMI, releasing EPs like *Dendang Saloma* (1957), *Bunga Negara* (1963), and *Aslirama* (1972). Among her most popular songs were "Selamat Pengantin Baru" and "Bila Larut Malam." She also acted in films such as *Azimat* (1958) and *Kaki Kuda* (1958), with notable roles in *Seniman Bujang Lapok* (1961) as Cik Salmah, *Ragam P. Ramlee* (1964), and *Ahmad Albab* (1968) as Mastura. In 1978, she was named Biduana Pertama Negara (First National Songbird) for her contributions to Malaysian music, and in 1990 she was posthumously awarded the title Puan Sri as the wife of Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr. P. Ramlee.
Born on 22 January 1935 in Pasir Panjang, Singapore (then part of the Straits Settlements), Saloma was the third daughter of Ismail Osman and Umi Kalsom Mahban, with seven siblings. Her older sister Mariani was an actress; her younger paternal half-sister Aminah Ismail (stage name Mimi Loma) and Jasmaniah Ismail also became singers. As a child, Saloma loved singing and often told her sister Mariani about her dream of becoming a singer. By age five, she was already performing with local street bands. After her parents divorced, Saloma and Mariani moved with their father to his hometown, Tanjung Karang, Selangor, where they lived with him and their stepmother. During World War II, they worked in the paddy fields. Unable to adjust, the sisters returned to Singapore without their father, living with their mother and stepfather, Mum Yusoff, a musician in a keroncong group called The Singapore Boys, which performed at the New World Cabaret. When Saloma was 13, her stepfather brought her to the cabaret and introduced her to the audience. She sang "Seven Lonely Days" by Georgia Gibbs, and her voice impressed the crowd; she continued with more songs, marking the start of her singing career.
Her voice first reached local radio when her stepfather took her to see his orchestra perform on Radio Malaya. The scheduled singer, Rokiah Hanafi (known as Rokiah Wandah), did not appear, so Mum Yusoff persuaded Saloma to sing the planned songs. Her performance was a success, leading to offers from orchestra
- born
- 22 January 1935, Pasir Panjang, Singapore (then Straits Settlements)
- died
- 25 April 1983, Assunta Hospital, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- field
- Singer, actress
- nationality
- Singaporean-Malaysian
- known_for
- Singing voice described as 'lemak merdu'; stage name Saloma; awarded Biduana Pertama Negara (First National Songbird) in 1978
Quick Facts
- Honorific Prefix
- Yang Berbahagia Puan Sri Datin Amar
- Honorific Suffix
- KMN (P) AMN
- Birth Name
- Salmah binti Ismail
- Birth Date
- df=y · 1935 · 01 · 22
- Birth Place
- Pasir Panjang, Singapore, Straits Settlements, British Malaya
- Death Date
- df=y · 1983 · 04 · 25 · 1935 · 01 · 22
- Death Place
- Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Resting Place
- Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Occupation
- Singer, actress and model
- Years Active
- 1950–1983
- Known For
- Azimat / Seniman Bujang Lapok / Ahmad Albab
- Spouse
- A. R. Tompel · 1952 · 1952 · reason=divorced / Kaswan Yusak · 1957 · 1957 · reason=divorced / P. Ramlee · 1961 · 29 May 1973 · reason=died
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Saloma was born on 22 January 1935 in Pasir Panjang, Singapore, to Ismail Osman and Umi Kalsom Mahban. She was the third daughter among seven siblings, with an older sister Mariani (an actress) and younger half-sister Aminah Ismail (stage name Mimi Loma). Her parents divorced, and she and Mariani lived with their father in Tanjung Karang, Selangor, helping in paddy fields during World War II. They later returned to Singapore to live with their mother and stepfather Mum Yusoff, a musician. At age 13, her stepfather brought her to perform at The New World Cabaret, where she sang 'Seven Lonely Days' by Georgia Gibbs, launching her career.
Her career began in earnest when she sang on Radio Malaya after replacing singer Rokiah Hanafi. In 1950, she fell in love with actor P. Ramlee after watching the film 'Aloha', vowing to marry him. She started as a film actress with Nusantara Film, appearing in Pelangi, Perkahwinan Rahsia, Norma, and Chinta Murni. After a brief hiatus in 1952–1953 due to pregnancy and divorce from A.R. Tompel, she returned in 1954, recording with Pathe Company. She joined Malay Film Productions in 1955 and later Panca Sitara, a band led by P. Ramlee. She married P. Ramlee in 1961 and appeared with him as a guest star in the 1963 Shaw Brothers film Love Parade.
Reader's Guide
Saloma's significance lies in her dual impact as a singer and actress in Singapore and Malaysia during the mid-20th century. Her voice, described as 'lemak merdu', set a standard for Malay popular music, and her recordings with EMI, including hits like 'Selamat Pengantin Baru' and 'Bila Larut Malam', remain influential. As an actress, she starred in notable films such as Seniman Bujang Lapok (1961), Ragam P. Ramlee (1964), and Ahmad Albab (1968). Her legacy was formally recognized in 1978 when she was awarded the title Biduana Pertama Negara (First National Songbird) by the Malaysian government. Her personal life, including her marriage to P. Ramlee and her death from liver failure in 1983, adds to her enduring cultural resonance. She was buried between the graves of her ex-husband Aman Ramlie and husband P. Ramlee at the Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur.
Did You Know?
- Saloma's stage name was inspired by the film 'Salome' starring Rita Hayworth.
- She first performed on Radio Malaya after replacing singer Rokiah Hanafi, who did not appear.
- She gave birth to a son, Armali Bin Aman Ramlie, in 1953.
- Her singing style was compared to Ella Fitzgerald and Doris Day.
More in Global Pop & Folk Legends 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record