Kasma Booty

AMN
Kasmah Booty in Singapore, 1952.
Born
Kasmah binti Abdullah

1932
Kisaran, Sumatra's East Coast Residency, Dutch East Indies
Died1 June 2007(2007-06-01) (aged 74–75)
Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Resting placeKlang Gates Muslim Cemetery, Taman Melawati, Selangor
Occupation(s)Actress, model and artist
Years active1948–1992
SpouseJacob Booty
Children5

Kasma Booty AMN (Jawi: كسم بوتي; born Kasmah binti Abdullah; c. 1932 – 1 June 2007) was an Indonesian-born Malaysian actress and film star. She was dubbed as "Elizabeth Taylor of Malaysia".[1][2][3]

Personal life

Kasma (left) with Siti Zainab (right)

She was born as Kasmah Abdullah in Kisaran, North Sumatra, Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) of Dutch and Javanese descent.[4] Beginning her acting and film career at the early age of 15, she ultimately changed her name to Kasma Booty after marrying her husband, Jacob Booty.[3] The couple had four children - Cempaka, Asmara, Purnama (her youngest child) and Suria (who is now deceased).[1]

Acting career

Kasma with P. Ramlee in 1955.

She began her film career by acting in a number of films produced by Shaw Brothers. Her movies at Shaw Brothers included Cempaka (1947) and Noor Asmara (1949).[2] Kasma next moved to the Cathay Keris Studio in Singapore before moving to the Merdeka Studio in Hulu Kelang, Malaysia in the 1960s. She received the Merak Kayangan award for veteran, long time film stars at the seventh annual Malaysian Film Festival in 1987, as well being awarded the Jury Award at the 35th annual Asia Pacific Film Festival in 1990.

Illness and death

Kasma suffered from a number of medical conditions in her later years, including heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure and pneumonia.[3] She was admitted to Ampang Hospital, located in the suburb of Ampang near Kuala Lumpur on 13 May 2007, after complaining of shortness of breath due to pneumonia.[5] While being hospitalised, she asked to visit Cameron Highlands in Pahang and Pulau Besar in Malacca.[6] Unfortunately, her final wishes was never granted as she was unable to leave the hospital. According to an interview with her granddaughter, Jeng Riema Booty Purnama, Kasma had been well enough to eat some of her favourite foods in the hospital such as lontong, kentang putar and nasi kandar.[6]

She died at 2 a.m on 1 June 2007 of pneumonia surrounded by her children.[3] She was 75 at the time and left behind 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.[6] Her body was buried at Kampung Klang Gate Cemetery.[1]

Filmography

Shaw Brothers Studios

Year Title Role Notes
1948 Chempaka Chempaka
Pisau Berachun
1949 Noor Asmara Zaharah
1950 Rachun Dunia Aminah
Bakti Sa'adiyah
Dewi Murni Dewi Murni
1951 Sejoli Mariam
Juwita Juwita
Manusia

Cathay Keris Studios

Year Title Role Notes
1958 Mahsuri

Merdeka Studios

Year Title Role Notes
1961 Keris Sempena Riau
1962 Selendang Merah
Siti Payung
Ratapan Ibu
1963 Tangkap Basah
Anak Manja
1965 Ragam P. Ramlee
1967 Damak

References

  1. ^ a b c "Pelakon veteran Kasma Booty meninggal". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 2 June 2007. Archived from the original on 3 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Screen icon of 1940s Kasma Booty dies". Bernama. The Star. 2 June 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d Mohammad Arif Nizam Abdullah (2 June 2007). "Perginya seorang ibu seni misali". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Archived from the original on 3 August 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  4. ^ Jennifer Lindsay (2012). Heirs to World Culture: Being Indonesian, 1950-1965. BRILL. pp. 382–. ISBN 978-90-04-25351-3.
  5. ^ "Kasma Booty in hospital". Bernama. The Star. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "Veteran Actress Kasma Booty Dies". Bernama. 1 June 2007. Archived from the original on 27 December 2015. Retrieved 3 August 2018.

External links

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