New
Malay Literature
The Changing Face of the Malay Author
Date: 22
June 2013 (Saturday)
Time:
11.00 am – 12.00 pm
Venue:
Black Box, MAP @ Publika
Talking Points: Uthaya
Sankar SB (click photo to
enlarge)
* Kindly
take note that these notes were prepared on 21 June 2012 and published automatically in my blog on 22 June 2013
at 11:00 am. The content of the
actual topics discussed during the
event might vary.
Munsyi Abdullah, the father of modern Malay literature (sastera Melayu moden), is an Indian
(Muslim).
1932: Nagalingam’s “Cerita Orang Yang Tiada Menerima Syukur” (17
& 24 May 1932, Bahtera) – but he
could have been a Malay writer after all.
More about Malaysian Indian writers writing in Bahasa
Malaysia/Malay in my blog. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
Kavyan Writers (Sasterawan
Kavyan): a small group (minority) of Malaysian Indian writers writing
primarily in Bahasa Malaysia. [NAME LIST]
Kavyan Writers’ Group (Kumpulan
Sasterawan Kavyan): 22 August 1999.
Since long ago, “Malay literature” has been – and still is –
about the Malays, by the Malays, for the Malays (tentang Melayu, oleh Melayu, untuk Melayu).
Some Malaysian Indian writers (NOT in Kavyan) still believe that they have to write about the
Malays, for the Malays (tentang Melayu,
untuk Melayu); and how they wish they could also say “by the Malays” (oleh Melayu).
We don’t have to change the face of any Malay author. We don’t have to change the face of any “Non-Malay” author writing in Bahasa
Malaysia (“Malay”). Let us be what we are. That is the uniqueness which needs
to be maintained.
Bahasa Malaysia:
national language, official language, language of communication, language of/for
unity etc. So, every Malaysian – yes, you too – has the right to write –
and to write well – in Bahasa Malaysia. [MORE HERE]
We in Kavyan use the term “Bahasa Malaysia Literature” (Sastera Bahasa Malaysia); not “Malay
Literature” (Sastera Melayu). Go figure.
Kavyan Writers and other “Non-Malay”
writers – like Gina Yap – have overcome the challenges, mockery, racism,
discrimination, barrier, prejudice, boycott etc
to become “Malaysian Writers” (Penulis
Malaysia); not merely “Non-Malay” writers (Penulis Bukan Melayu).
A point to ponder: How many “Non-Malay”
Malaysians are reading what these group of minority writers (penulis minoriti) are writing in Bahasa
Malaysia?
About the
panelist:
Name : Uthaya Sankar SB
Books : Rudra Avatara (2008), Kathakali (2009), Panchayat: Edisi Khas (2012), Kisah dari Siru Kambam (2013), Hanuman: Suara Hati (2013)
“It is a known fact that Uthaya Sankar SB is one of the few
active non-Malay writers known in the Malay literary circle.” – Bissme S,
The Sun, 13 March 1999
“... the elusive, almost inconspicuous
Uthaya Sankar SB, a man small in frame, large in intellect and conspicuous in
his humility. ... gem of an authority on Malaysia’s national language.” – Cine Fashion, April 2011
Uthaya Sankar SB is a Malaysian writer who
writes in Bahasa Malaysia which
he regards as his first language. Of course, many hate him for that very
reason.
People usually assume he grew up in a Malay
village, thus his ability to write and speak Bahasa Malaysia. But that is far
from the truth. He grew up in a village (Aulong Lama in
Taiping, Perak) where the majority were Indians and there
were only two Malay families (theSun,
16 July 2009)
.
Dina
Zaman
calls him “honestly blunt”
in an article she wrote in New Straits Times (4 July 2001) while Amir Muhammad refers to Uthaya as “a local Haruki
Murakami” in News Straits Times (28 January
2005).
“Uthaya’s particular gifts lie in his
narrative skill and playful deconstructions of the story form. He easily ranks among the
finest writers in this country because his seriousness of purpose is
wedded to an admirable lightness of touch. He has fun with the stories, and the
fun is infectious” says Amir Muhammad
in New Straits Times (13 February 2002) and “He has been one of our most
prolific and consistent creative writers for over a decade”
in Malay Mail (23 July 2008).
He is also known as “a writer who does not fail to
capture the attention of his audience
with his outspokenness and, not to forget, provocative introductions” as
mentioned by Cheah Phaik Kin in New
Straits Times (2 December 1998).
In
Rachael Philip’s opinion, Uthaya is
“Swaggeringly arrogant. Impudently bold. Undeniably
talented. ... a regular bloke; no mood swings and eccentricities that
regularly surround an author” as mentioned in New Straits Times (28
August 2005). – COMPLETE BIODATA HERE