Siti Mariam binti Ismail (Jawi: سيتي مريم اسماعيل ; 20 April 1933 – 1 December 2015), better known by her stage name Mariani, was a Malaysian-Singaporean Malay actress, singer and model popular during the 1950s and 1960s. She was the older sister of Biduanda Saloma and sister-in-law of P. Ramlee. Mariani was one of the most popular actresses at Jalan Ampas Studios in Singapore at the time, dubbed the "Golden Age of Malay Cinema" at the time. She starred in more than 30 films over her 63-year career span.

Mariani
مارياني
Born
Siti Mariam binti Ismail

(1933-04-20)20 April 1933
Tanjung Pagar, Straits Settlements (now Singapore)
Died1 December 2015(2015-12-01) (aged 82)
Sentul, Kuala Lumpur
Resting placeJalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
NationalitySingaporean
Other namesMariani
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, model
Years active1951–2015
Spouses
  • Darus
  • H. M. Rohaizad @ Syed Hamid Al-Segaf
  • Mohammad Alias
Children12 (including Melissa Saila & Rozita Rohaizad)
Relatives
  • Biduanita Puan Saloma (sister)
  • Aminah binti Ismail @ Mimi Loma (sister)

Career

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Mariam's career began after winning the Singapore Queen Contest in 1951 when she was 17. She was the first lady to ever hold the title. However, she did not represent Singapore at that time. The show has been a stepping stone for her to engage in acting. After that, she was offered an act by Malay Film Productions, but she refused because her ambition was to be a doctor. After two years, after being persuaded by Saloma, Mariani agreed to act. Her first film was Chemburu directed by S. Ramanathan in 1952. After the success of the movie, Mariani was offered another acting role in the company's films including Palace of Dreams, A Return, Labu Labi, Nasib Si Labu-Labi and Tiga Abdul. After the closure of Malay Film Productions and the separation of Singapore from Malaysia, she continued her acting career at Studio Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. She starred in many films in the studio like Sweet Mashed Film and Discouraged.

In her later years, Mariani continued to act and her latest appearance in films was Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam 2 directed by Shuhaimi Baba in 2005. She also starred in various dramas such as Qalesya, Bila Larut Malam and others more. In 2007, she along with her husband, founded a production company, Kus Semangat Sdn. Bhd., which she owned with her husband, until her death in 2015.

Death

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On 1 December 2015, Mariani died after battling with colon cancer, at her home in Taman Kosmo Jaya, Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. She was 82 years old. Her body was sent to Al-Hidayah Mosque in Jalan Sentul and was buried in Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur.[1]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1953 Cemburu
Raja Sehari
Istana Impian Zaiton
Putus Harapan Kasma
1954 Iman
Perjodohan Salmah
Merana Rosni
1955 Empat Isteri Ramulah
1956 Hang Tuah
1957 Mogok
Kembali Seorang
1958 Taufan Salmah
1959 Saudagar Minyak Urat
1961 Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang Guntik Istana
Sri Mersing Siantan
1962 Labu dan Labi Manisah
Siti Muslihat Dayang
1963 Korban
Darah Muda
Bunga Tanjung
Darahku
Nasib Si Labu Labi Manisah
1964 Tiga Abdul Hamidah, Sadiq's eldest daughter
Dupa Cendana Cendana
1965 Masam Masam Manis Rosnah
1966 Kacha Permata
1968 Ahmad Albab Zahara
1971 Putus Sudah Kasih Sayang Rosmah
1974 Setulus Hatimu
1980 Detik 12 Malam
1981 Setinggan
Perjanjian Syaitan
Dia Ibuku Mak Long
1983 Dendam Dari Pusara
1987 Bayangan Cinta
Sayang
1988 Perempuan
1989 Oh Fatimah
Kolej 56
1992 O.C.J. Operasi Cegah Jenayah
2005 Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam 2 Mak Mah
2009 Santau Nenek Jelmaan
2010 Mantra Bidan
2011 Khurafat: Perjanjian Syaitan Grandmother
Momok Jangan Panggil Aku Chu Lamah / Saka
2012 Jidin Sengal
2013 Malam... Penuh Bermisteri
Kisah Paling Gangster Tok Wan
2014 Cara Mengundang Hantu

Television series

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Year Title Role TV channel Notes
1981 Drama Minggu Ini: Tok Awang TV1
1983 Drama Minggu Ini: Hilang Mak Cik Leha
2009 Nenek Kebaya Nenek Putih TV3
2011 Terowong Mak Episode: "Kain Kapan"
Tentang Dhia Ku Mariam
2013 Tanah Kubur (Season 9) Maklong Astro Oasis Episode: "Air Kaki Ibu"
2015 Kampung Semarah Padi TV1
Hello, Mr. Perfect! Rina TV3

Telemovie

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Year Title Role TV channel
2003 Aisah Lima Puluh Sen Astro Ria
2009 Namaku Bukan Setsuko Tijah TV1
2013 Cinta Laila Majnun Mother Khalid Astro Oasis
Nur Hikmah Opah
2016 Dari Kerana Mata HyppTV

References

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