THERE will be no more Atan, after the voice behind the character who playfully bullies his grandfather died early today.

Legendary comedian Jamali Shadat, famous in the 1970s for his sheer ability to use his voice to play Atan, his grandfather Atok and the child’s friends in multi tones and languages, died at his residence in Kg Sg Pinang, Pulau Indah, Port Klang at the age of 78.

Jamali burst onto the scene as comedian extraordinaire after emerging as runner-up in Bakat 1971 organised by Radio Televisyen Malaysia 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 multiracial society.

His natural persona onstage often elicited cheers and laughter from the audience throughout his 40-year involvement in show business. Jamali often incorporated the country’s multiracial 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 1970s, Jamali joined forces with veteran comedian Hamid Gurkha to produce a comedy album.

The health of the father of eight was said to have deteriorated after his late wife, Lela Yacob died in 2018 due to a stroke.

Jamali was laid to rest at the Muslim cemetery in Kg Sg Pinang, Pulau Indah. – Bernama, February 3, 2021.