A candid scene from the 'Madu Tiga' film, featuring P. Ramlee (left) and Ahmad Nisfu. The MPO will screen the classic comedy with live orchestral accompaniment at Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 23 and 24. Photo: The Shaw Organisation Pte Ltd
For Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Ahmad Muriz Che Rose, the year is starting on a cheeky note. Baton in hand, he is set to guide the orchestra through a cinema- and-strings performance that playfully blurs the line between symphonic tradition and silver- screen spectacle.
A cinema night at the Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP) in Kuala Lumpur is always special, but Muriz’s plan feels particularly resonant – reviving a 1960s local comedy and breathing new life into it for a contemporary audience.
And Muriz hit the mark with his choice – Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s Madu Tiga (1964), a witty, satirical, and irresistibly nostalgic gem of Malaysian cinema that continues to charm new generations.
P. Ramlee’s Madu Tiga: Live In Concert at the DFP on Jan 23 and 24 has all the hallmarks of a labour of love, especially at a time when local films are rarely given such prominence on this scale.
The last homegrown movie to receive a full classical accompaniment at the DFP was Ola Bola in September 2017.
Conductor Muriz plays a rendition of 'Pukul Tiga Pagi', one of the beloved songs from the film. Photo: MPO
“This is something we at the MPO have wanted to do for years – performing alongside a (local) film, which isn’t something people usually consider. You might expect us to pick a more melancholic movie to match a dramatic score, but instead, we went for something lighter, more humorous,” says Muriz during a recent interview in KL.
“P. Ramlee’s work doesn’t need refreshing – it was ahead of its time from the start. What we’re doing is revisiting the idea of pairing his films with live music and giving him an even bigger stage, one befitting a national icon,” he adds.
Filmed in Singapore, Madu Tiga follows Jamil (P. Ramlee), who secretly takes a second and third wife (played by Jah Mahadi and Sarimah Ahmad) without his first wife’s knowledge (Zaharah Agus). Chaos ensues when the wives unexpectedly befriend each other and confront him with the truth.
The film, directed by P. Ramlee and produced by Malay Film Productions under Shaw Brothers, earned the Best Comedy award at the 11th Asian Pacific Film Festival in Taipei, Taiwan in 1964.
In 'Madu Tiga', the wives (from left) – Zaharah Agus, Jah Mahadi and Sarimah Ahmad – begin to befriend each other and eventually confront Jamil with the truth. Photo: The Shaw Organisation Pte Ltd
At 35, P. Ramlee was at his peak – a filmmaker, composer and entertainer whose work continues to captivate across generations.
His legacy is immense, yet the archival work surrounding it has, broadly speaking, posed significant challenges.
Carrying on a legacy
Mounting a main stage orchestral performance of a 1960s local film comes with its own complexities. With no existing film score to rely on, Muriz and his MPO team had to start from scratch – transcribing every sound, note by note, while also sourcing local musicians capable of navigating the work’s intricate demands.
The deep dive into the project began last year, with screenings, research and sound isolation all undertaken to uncover the very nuts and bolts of the score, written and composed by P. Ramlee.
“We’re talking about converting analogue into digital, which is an incredibly technical and painstaking process,” says Muriz.
“But it also gave us the chance to really study the composition on its own, to document it thoroughly. This way, the (upcoming) Madu Tiga production doesn’t just entertain the audience – it creates a blueprint for the future.
'Madu Tiga' delivers its share of pop thrills. Released by Parlophone in 1964, the EP features the beloved title track delivered in the twist genre. Photo: Courtesy of the Sputnik Rekordz Archive
“The next conductor can step in with all the information they need, making projects like this possible for the next generation.”
In 2010, the DFP hosted its first screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller Psycho, marking the beginning of the MPO’s series of cinema-inspired programmes that have since delighted film enthusiasts.
With Madu Tiga, Muriz has the opportunity to extend this tradition to classic local films, offering Malaysians a fresh way to engage with and appreciate their cinematic heritage.
Follow that wink
Unlike previous Hollywood films staged at the DFP – from Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone and Avatar: The Last Airbender to La La Land and the recent Amadeus Live, which benefit from vibrant colours and dazzling effects – Madu Tiga offers a classic black-and-white experience, relying on humour to carry the story.
Picture a raised eyebrow, a sly line delivery, or the chaotic interplay between Jamil and his three wives – here, the orchestra becomes the perfect comedic partner.
Armed only with a sheet of music and a screen displaying streamers, timecodes, and cues to align the music with the film, Muriz must stay razor-sharp, ensuring every musical accent lands precisely with each comedic moment.
Starring and directed by P. Ramlee, 'Madu Tiga' won Best Comedy at the 11th Asian Pacific Film Festival in Taipei in 1964. Photo: The Shaw Organisation Pte Ltd
“From the opening credits to the subtle cue of his eye wink, even down to the sounds of the kereta MG in the final car chase, we’ll be performing every sound effect live,” says Muriz.
“In that sense, the concert is quite different – it demands an extraordinary level of attention to detail.
Music fans are also in for a treat at the shows, with hits from the movie – the title track and Selamat Pengantin Baru, sung by Saloma – both set to give the DFP hall lively 1960s twist throwback.
It may be the grooviest stage experience yet for the 65-member MPO, but the musicians will stay on their toes, with Muriz fully focused at the helm.
“What draws me to this project is the challenge of synchronising the orchestra’s music perfectly with each scene.
“It’s also our way of paying tribute to the film and editing team, whose work shaped and amplified the impact of every moment,” he adds.
Room to build
The MPO social media blitz and strong ticket demand for Madu Tiga – now expanded to two shows – signals a healthy appetite among audiences for this unique live cinema experience, and could well open the door for other P. Ramlee classics.
'Madu Tiga' also gave us the timeless wedding hit 'Selamat Pengantin Baru,' sung by Saloma - P. Ramlee’s wife - who makes a cameo in the film. Photo: Courtesy of the Sputnik Rekordz Archive
As for future possibilities on the DFP stage, Muriz hints at the rich potential of films like the dramatic Antara Dua Darjat or Ibu Mertuaku, though he is quick to stress that any projects beyond Madu Tiga will depend on the reception of this upcoming concert.
What he was certain of, however, was his commitment to stage Madu Tiga with a smile, despite peers questioning his choice.
“I’m turning 57 this year, so I can’t even recall the first time I watched it. But every time I do, it feels fresh,” he reflects warmly.
“It’s a film that can still make me smile today. Even during rehearsals or the editing process, the musicians and I couldn’t stop laughing.
"That’s the joy of Madu Tiga, and it’s something I hope to share with the audience. It’s a perfect mix of comedy and slapstick, but there’s also a lesson in there – one that remains surprisingly relevant even today,” he concludes.
P. Ramlee’s Madu Tiga: Live In Concert plays at Dewan Filhar-monik PETRONAS in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 23 and 24. The film is in Bahasa Malaysia and will be screened with English subtitles. More info here.
