Google Celebrates Malaysia’s First National Songbird & Icon, Saloma, With A Doodle

By Ammar Haziq  •  26 Nov 2020 in News

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Joining past local legends featured on Google’s landing page, the beloved Singaporean-Malaysian actress, singer and fashion icon best known as Saloma was honoured with a Google Doodle today.

On this day in 1978, she made history when she was awarded Malaysia’s first Biduanita Negara (National Songbird) title by the Malaysian government at the time.

Saloma, or her real name Salmah Ismail was born in Singapore on 22 January 1932, and explored her skills as a vocalist at just seven years old. Throughout her teenage years, Saloma started her professional singing career through performances at nightclubs and weddings.

Then she began transitioning her career into acting in the mid-50s, quickly became a celebrity figure. In 1961, she married a fellow entertainment icon, the late great P. Ramlee.

Over the years, the legendary power couple forever changed Malaysian entertainment through music and film.

A trend-setter that will never be duplicated, Saloma, with her iconic coiffed hairdo and inimitable clothing, (most of which she sewed herself) has recorded over 500 songs, released albums for most of her life, and appeared in so many memorable films throughout the ’60s.

On the lesser known side of history, it’s funny how Singapore tried to ban her classic ‘Selamat Hari Raya‘ song once.

We’re glad that didn’t stick because Saloma’s artistic skills and accomplishments are no doubt an inspiration to local women, but I think it’s safe to say that men can and should be inspired by this legendary artiste too.