Marfuah Makarim (1923 – 10 December 2015), better known by the stage name Momo Latiff, was an Indonesian-born Singaporean singer and actress who was active in the 1950s and 1960s.[1] Her successful songs included "Pantai Chinta Berahi" ("PCB" beach, now Pantai Cahaya Bulan) to the music of pianist Dodo Mallinger.[2] Originally a dancer, she was contracted as singer by Shaw Brothers for films such as Putus Harapan (1955) and Pendekar Bujang Lapok (1959).[3]
Momo Latiff | |
---|---|
Born | Marfuah Makarim 1923 Batavia, Dutch East Indies |
Died | 10 December 2015 North Region, Singapore | (aged 91–92)
Citizenship | Indonesia Singapore |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1941–1979 |
Early life
Latiff was born Marfuah Makarim in 1923 in Dutch East Indies.[4] She moved to Straits Settlements in 1939, while in an Indonesian performing troupe on tour in the region.[4]
Career
Latiff was discovered by an executive at Shaw Brothers Studio which engaged her as a playback singer, leading her singing voice to be used in a movie.[4] She was best known for her role as the wife of a martial arts master in Pendekar Bujang Lapok (1959), co-starring P. Ramlee, S. Shamsuddin, and Aziz Sattar.[4]
Death
On 9 December 2015, Latiff suffered from a high blood pressure and collapsed at her residence in Woodlands.[4] She was rushed into Khoo Teck Puat Hospital where she slipped into a coma due to burst in her brain blood vessel, and died next day at the age of 92.[4]
References
- ^ Singapore Annual Report 1950 p135 "... in the music broadcasts for Chinese and Malay Schools, and the quality of the singing in the Malay broadcasts was brought up to the standard of the English and Chinese broadcasts by the engagement of the well-known singer, Momo .
- ^ The Straits Times Annual 1953 p79 "That remark, of course, applies no less to the lovely young Malay singer, Momo, who sings so delightfully “ Pantai Chinta Berahi ” to the music of Dodo Mallinger, recorded at the H.M.V. Studios, with the Rayuan Kenchana Orchestra, led by"
- ^ Andrew N. Weintraub, Bart Barendregt · Vamping the Stage: Female Voices of Asian Modernities 2017 p89 "Momo Latiff, one of the prominent recording artists and entertainers of the pre– and post– World War II days, was born in Batavia in 1923. Momo was invited to join the Dardanella Dramatic Company from Java as a dancer when she was"
- ^ a b c d e f Mohamad Salleh, Nur Asyiqin (2015-12-11). "Veteran Malay singer and actress Momo Latiff dies at age of 92". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-03-08.