IF you are a fan of English literature, K. S. Maniam is one of the key names in the local literary world that you will recognise.
With a career spanning over 55 years, Maniam’s writing has touched on issues pertinent to Malaysia with a universal dimension.
He published his first work in 1964, which was a poem, when he was 22.
His short stories had won first prize at national competitions by the New Straits Times in 1987 and 1990.
Maniam was also the inaugural recipient of the Raja Rao Award in 2000 for his outstanding contributions to literature among the South Asian diaspora.
In schools, his first novel, The Return, was used to teach Form Five students and his short stories had appeared in Form Six exams. His works were taught in university courses and also a subject of research.
To fete his achievements, around 100 of Maniam’s friends and fans gathered to pay tribute to the writer in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Co-organised by University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) School of English and Maniam’s publisher, Maya Press, the event coincided with the launching of his latest book entitled K.S. Maniam: Selected Works.
UNM School of English head Professor Danton Remoto highlighted the key points in Maniam’s illustrious career.
“As a writer, Maniam is known best for his novels and short stories. His two plays have been well-received.
“A new volume of his poems is expected to be published soon. Maniam’s works have been taught in Malaysia and many countries abroad,” said Remoto.
The celebratory event brought together academics, writers and actors to read and
perform his works. It opened with a reading by playwright Leow Puay Tin, who read an excerpt from The Return.
There were more readings by UNM School of Education head Professor Ganakumaran Subramaniam and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia academic Dr Shanthini Pillai.
Poets Bernice Chauly, Shivani Sivagurunathan and Sheena Baharuddin, all from UNM School of English, read poems from Maniam’s new book.
UNM School of English lecturer Professor Malachi Edwin Vethamani then conducted a dialogue with Maniam.
Maniam said his use of myths had enabled him to touch on issues that could have been sensitive and difficult to write.
The readings continued with tribute messages from Malaysian-born writers Shirley Lim and Preeta Samarasan.
The message by poet Muhammad Haji Salleh reminisced about his teacher training days with Maniam in England and their long friendship.
Poet Wong Phui Nam said of Maniam: “Read him. Read him with attention, with humility and obedience in that you open yourself to his words doing their work on you.
“You may agree or not agree with what he says, but let him enlarge you, your individual self. Let his awareness be your awareness for a little hour. You will be the richer for it.”
Two of Maniam’s short plays were performed. The first was by Dr S. Subramony, who played the uduku drum in The Cord. The finale was a reading by actor and educationist Anne James on The Sandpit: Womensis.
The event closed with a standing ovation to Maniam.