NEW SUNDAY TIMES JULY 29, 2007 Memories of a Legend Nasir P Ramlee recently wrote a book about his beloved father and shares some memories with AREF OMAR ------- He was the quintessential artiste, who defined the music and film industry in the 50s and 60s. As a singer, actor and filmmaker P Ramlee brought joy, laughter and tears to his fellow countrymen. "Daddy was just a normal man to me, like any other father who loved his children," said Nasir P Ramlee, progeny of the great artiste with the late Junaidah Harris. The cheerful and animated 54-year-old works as a combo Coordinator at Istana Budaya, where he arranges music and leads a band for in-house productions. "Growing up I used to dread Sundays because Daddy would usually be in the house and he would cook for the family. His dishes were experimental, very pelik (strange). "When he asked me how it tasted I'd lie about it being good and he would then oblige by putting more on my plate. "If I told him the truth he would just try out a new recipe the next time, which was no better," said Nasir, who lives with his family in Taman Setapak. He describes his father as a man obsessed and completely dedicated to his craft, shooting in the day and performing at shows in the night, rarely seen at home. "Sometimes I would get to see him only once or twice during the week. There were a few times when I left a note on the piano asking him for some money and I would see the money on the piano the next day," said Nasir. Known as a naturally jovial and helpful person with a happy-go-lucky attitude, the only time he was dead serious was when the cameras started rolling in the studio during shoots. P Ramlee was attached to the Malay Film Productions' movie studios in Jalan Ampas, Singapore. After relocating to Kuala Lumpur in the 60s, where he started working at Merdeka Studios in Hulu Klang, this 'Malaysian Orson Welles' would make his son tag along to show him the ropes although Nasir had other plans. "I learnt about dubbing, editing and the whole filmmaking process but because of my lack of interest, I never delved into it. "Music was my heart and soul," said Nasir, who was in his teens at the time and played the bass guitar in a band. The trendy sounds of the Beatless and the Rolling Stones which was Nasir's cup of rocking tea, did not fare well with his father. "When I played in the club, Daddy would turn up, hands covering his ears, with a pained expression on his face. "But he was supportive of my interests and even bought me music instruments with the condition that the band would have his name. "So the band was called Ben Ramlee, just like his group was named Ben Putih after his father," said Nasir. The band became popular in the wedding gig circuit and lasted about three years with Salamiah Hassan as the band's first singer. Nasir then moved on to play in other various bands and was also a part time sessionist. "I studied music at a proper school so I have more knowledge comparatively. But in the end, Daddy, although self-taught, was a creative soul and so much better than me," said Nasir. One day during an ensuing argument about his father's displeasure with his fashionably long hair, Nasir remarked that he was not interested in P Ramlee songs at all, asking in a sarcastic tone why he had named his songs after women and flowers. "One of Daddy's replies in a raised voice was, 'Only after I'm gone will you realise how classic P Ramlee songs are'. "And how right he was." Nasir recalls a poignant moment during his father's funeral at the Muslim cemetery in Jalan Ampang, which was packed with tearful mourners. "As his body was being put into the ground it started to drizzle and I remembered the last song that Daddy ever wrote, Air Mata Di Kuala Lumpur (Tears in Kuala Lumpur). "It surely felt as though the whole country was crying for him on that day," he said. Nasir's recollections and memories of the great artiste are chronicled in Bapaku P Ramlee (My Father, P Ramlee). The 125-page book was released on May 29, in honour of his beloved father's passing 34 years ago. "I never thought of writing anything until the day I met Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji, who encouraged me to share with everyone stories about Daddy by writing from my perspective. "I was close to tears many times during the writing process of the book when the memories came flooding back," said Nasir. Written in Malay, an English language edition is already in the process of publication. "I could always talk to Daddy about anything. There were times when I'd get insecure and would wonder what would happen to us if he were gone. "One day he replied, 'don't worry, I'll live for a thousand years'. "Once again, Daddy was right. The spirit of P Ramlee lives on in the hearts of the people who still love him and appreciate his works.