KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 -- There will be no more 'Atan', when the voice behind the character who playfully bullies his grandfather passed away early today.
Legendary comedian Datuk Jamali Shadat who was famous in the 1970’s for his sheer ability of using his voice to play the character of 'Atan', his grandfather 'Atok' and the child's friends in multi tones and languages, died at his residence in Kampung Sungai Pinang, Pulau Indah, Port Klang at the age of 78 years.
Jamali burst onto the scene as comedian extraordinaire after emerging as runner-up in Bakat 1971 organised by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) and had appeared in several TV programmes including ‘Sendarama’, ‘Hiburan Minggu Ini’ and ‘Kuiz Kepintaran Anda’.
His sheer talent in using his voice to mimic local Chinese, Javanese, Punjabi and Indian characters in his routines truly reflected the country’s multi-racial society.
His natural persona onstage often elicited cheers and laughter from the audience throughout his 40-year involvement in showbusiness. Jamali often incorporated the country’s multi-racial harmony and current issues as his material and presented in his inimitable style.
Born in 1942 in Bukit Kapar, Klang, Selangor he had also starred in several movies, among them, ‘Hantu Siang’ in 1986, Mr Cinderella 2 (2003), Senario The Movie Episode 2 : Beach Boys (2009) and Semerah Cinta Stiletto (2010).
His voice as ‘Atan’ had also been dubbed in the ‘Upin dan Ipin’ animated TV series season 9 in 2015 in three episodes.
Jamali was also involved in Astro’s ‘Raja Lawak’ programme and received the ‘Lawak Warna’ special jury award in 2014 as a token of appreciation for his contribution to local comedy.
In the 1970’s, Jamali joined forces with veteran comedian Hamid Gurkha to come out with a comedy album.
The health of the father of eight was said to have deteriorated after his late wife, Lela Yacob passed on in 2018 due to a stroke.
Jamali was laid to rest at the Muslim cemetery in Kampung Sungai Pinang, Pulau Indah.
-- BERNAMA
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