22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Rosnani Jamil hopes to publish late husband's poetry collection
BENTONG: Veteran actress Datuk Rosnani Jamil is determined to publish a collection of 137 poems penned by her late husband, film legend Datuk Jamil Sulong, before she passes away.
Berita Harian reported today that the poems, written during Jamil's tenure as a guest writer at Universiti Sains Malaysia, have been carefully stored in a grey folder at their home in Janda Baik.
One of Rosnani's particular favourites is 'Tiga Ros' (Three Roses), a touching dedication to three women who once held a special place in Jamil's heart, including Rosnani herself. Other notable works include 'Bila Hari Tua' (When Old Age Comes) and 'Ram', a poignant tribute to Tan Sri P. Ramlee.
The latter was penned to remind the iconic director to remain humble and wary of envy after achieving success.
Rosnani, 90, has long harboured the wish to publish these poems but has faced significant financial and logistical challenges. However, a recent meeting with Tan Sri Johan Jaafar at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair has opened a crucial door for the project, with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) now stepping in to provide assistance.
The publication process is anticipated to take approximately three months.
Rosnani, who directed the 1987 hit film 'Mawar Merah', expressed her fervent hope that the book will be completed while she is still alive.
"Whether it happens or not is up to God. But if possible, I want to see the book published before I'm gone," she said.
Johan underscored the significance of the poems, describing them as a cultural treasure, and urged DBP to help preserve Jamil Sulong's invaluable literary legacy.
