Jamali Shadat – the evergreen comedian
Published on: Saturday, March 28, 2015
Kuala Lumpur: The voice of 'Atan', the young boy who often bullies his grandfather 'Atuk', has changed little over the 44 years of Malaysian stage and screen comedy presented by none other than veteran comedian Datuk Jamali Shadat, now 73. The tickled audience at the 'Sebutir Bintang' (A Single Star) programme staged recently at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (Matic) was amazed at the enthusiasm Jamali displayed in bringing to life the 'Atan' character with his close friend and fellow comedian Hamid Gurkha.
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The programme was organised jointly by the 1Malaysia Artistes Foundation (YA1M) with the collaboration of Bernama Lifestyle & Youth. Propelled to fame in 1971 after having won the 'Bakat TV' talent contest, Jamali has been entertaining audiences with the form of comedy that unites the people of all races through laughter in a way that only he knows best. At 73, Jamali seems to have shed little of his charming personality, and is in good health, without the ailments that usually come with age. At his home in Kampung Datuk Razali, Pulau Indah, Klang, Jamali was at ease as he talked of the characters he brought to life in his comedy.
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"The Atan character is portrayed along with Atuk, the grandfather, and they have made me well-known among the people," he said. Jamali always drove home the message of unity, something which he was able to do well through his comedy.
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"During the floods that struck the country in the 1980s, I used my comedy to keep the people - Malays, Chinese and Indians - united in facing the calamity," he said. Jamali explained that he was able to converse in the many languages of Malaysia as he had mingled a lot with the people of the other communities as he grew up. "I can speak Tamil because I have worked in an estate. I speak Chinese dialects as I have worked for a Chinese grocer at his shop. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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