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 Malaysia's first National Songstress (Biduanita Negara) & actress Puan Sri Saloma and sister-in-law of Malay actor, singer, composer, director, producer Tan Sri Dr 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.

Career 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 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, near her sister Saloma and her brother-in-law P. Ramlee.Seniwati Mariani Meninggal Dunia

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes1953 Chemburu Mariana Raja Sehari Istana Impian Zaiton Putus Harapan Kasma1954 Iman Habibah Perjodohan Salmah Merana Rosni 1955 Empat Isteri Ramulah 1956 Hang Tuah Dang Rani1957 Mogok Kembali Seorang 1958 Taufan Salmah 1959 Saudagar Minyak Urat Hamidah 1961 Yatim Mustapha Puteri Selidik Awan Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang Guntik Istana Sri Mersing Siantan1962 Labu dan Labi Manisah Siti Muslihat Dayang 1963 Korban Darah Muda Roslin Bunga Tanjung Darahku Rohani Nasib Si Labu Labi Manisah1964 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 Malam1981 Setinggan Perjanjian Syaitan Che Uteh Dia Ibuku Mak Long 1983 Dendam Dari Pusara Marini1987 Bayangan Cinta Sayang 1988 Perempuan1989 Oh Fatimah Mak Jah Kolej 56 Mak Engku 1992 O.C.J. Operasi Cegah Jenayah Ibu Laili 2005 Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam 2 Mak Mah 2009 Santau Nenek Jelmaan 2010 Mantra Bidan2011 Khurafat: Perjanjian Syaitan Grandmother Momok Jangan Panggil Aku Chu Lamah / Saka 2012 Jidin Sengal2013 Malam... Penuh Bermisteri Kisah Paling Gangster Tok Wan 2014 Cara Mengundang Hantu

Television series Year Title Role TV channel Notes 1981 Drama Minggu Ini: Tok AwangTV1 1983 Drama Minggu Ini: Hilang Mak Cik Leha2007Datin DiariesDatin AtikahTV3 2009 Nenek Kebaya Nenek PutihKeliwon (Season 1) Mak Minah Episode: "Sungai Puaka"Mak Nah Episode: "Anak Belaan"Keliwon (Season 2)Nenek Episode: "Syiling Puaka"Mak Ton/Hantu Geweh Episode: "Hantu Geweh" 2010 Ulek Mayang Mak Yam2011 Terowong Mak Episode: "Kain Kapan" Tentang Dhia Ku MariamMistik Alam HitamAstro Ria & Astro Prima Episode: "Mayat Hidup" Nek Tam/Hantu Polong Episode: "Polong Belaan" 2013 Tanah Kubur (Season 9) Maklong Astro Oasis Episode: "Air Kaki Ibu"2015 Kampung Semarah Padi TV1 Hello, Mr. Perfect! Rina TV3

Telemovie Year Title Role TV channel 2003 Aisah Lima Puluh Sen Kuntum Astro Ria2009 Namaku Bukan Setsuko Tijah TV1 Hantu Raya Astro Ria2010Pontianak Kampung BatuMak Kiah 2011 Mak Andam Semah Saka Astro PrimaPontianak Beraya Di Kampung BatuMak KiahAstro Ria 2012Pontianak Masih Beraya Di Kampung Batu2013 Cinta Laila Majnun Mother KhalidAstro Oasis Nur Hikmah Opah 2016 Dari Kerana Mata HyppTV

References

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