Suratman Markasan

4

CULTURAL MEDALLION

ARTS AWARDS 2010 ► ◄•

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.. .. .. ... ... .. ... 'if

LITERARY ARTS

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►;....►

Suratman Markasan

II

.4

"Creativity and discipline are like a song and

�

rhythm that cannot be separated. They must go hand in hand if a writer wants to make a mark in the literary field."

Adhering to this dearly-held personal motto, Suratman Markasan has not only established himself in Singapore's literary arts scene as a recognised poet and novelist, but also written and presented many essays and papers on literature, language and culture in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Born in Singapore in 1930, Suratman completed his studies in Sultan Idris Training College in Perak, Malaysia, in 1950.

He went on to teach at several primary and secondary schools in Singapore.

,..

He started writing in the early 1950s and soon established himself as one of Singapore's pioneers of Malay literature.

Well-known for his satirical take on popular issues, he portrays the truth and realities of life in an attempt to make the community realise the challenges it has to handle.

Aside from editing literary magazines and anthologies, he has published many books - including the novel, Subuh Hilang Senja (The Lost Dawn, 1989), and the poetry collection, Potret /steri Yang Hilang (Portrait of the Lost Wife, 1993), both of which were highly commended by the National Book Development Council. His short stories were included in anthologies like The Fiction of Singapore (1990) and Stories from Southeast Asia (1997), while his poems

were featured in journeys: Words, Home and Nation (1995) and Rhythms: A Singaporean Millennial Anthology of Poetry (2000).

He has participated actively and held numerous important posts in literary, language and cultural associations. Among his many public appointments were President of the Malay writers association, Asas '50 (1989 to 1993), President of the Malay Teachers Union (1982 to 1984) and Chairman of Malay Language and Literature in the Central Council of Malay Cultural Organisations of Singapore (1981 to 1986).

Suratman was the first Singaporean to be a guest writer at Kuala Lumpur's Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (a government body coordinating the use of the Malay language) in 1991. He has participated in poetry recital events in cities around the world, including Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, London, Paris, Frankfurt and San Francisco.

Throughout his writing career, Suratman has received multiple literary awards such as the South East Asia Writers Award, Montblanc-N US Centre for the Arts Literary Award, Nusantara Literary Award and Tun Seri Lanang Literary Award.

5

4

CULTURAL MEDALLION

ARTS AWARDS 2010 ► ◄•

►

.. .. .. ... ... .. ... 'if

LITERARY ARTS

.....

..

►;....►

Suratman Markasan

II

.4

"Creativity and discipline are like a song and

�

rhythm that cannot be separated. They must go hand in hand if a writer wants to make a mark in the literary field."

Adhering to this dearly-held personal motto, Suratman Markasan has not only established himself in Singapore's literary arts scene as a recognised poet and novelist, but also written and presented many essays and papers on literature, language and culture in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Born in Singapore in 1930, Suratman completed his studies in Sultan Idris Training College in Perak, Malaysia, in 1950.

He went on to teach at several primary and secondary schools in Singapore.

,..

He started writing in the early 1950s and soon established himself as one of Singapore's pioneers of Malay literature.

Well-known for his satirical take on popular issues, he portrays the truth and realities of life in an attempt to make the community realise the challenges it has to handle.

Aside from editing literary magazines and anthologies, he has published many books - including the novel, Subuh Hilang Senja (The Lost Dawn, 1989), and the poetry collection, Potret /steri Yang Hilang (Portrait of the Lost Wife, 1993), both of which were highly commended by the National Book Development Council. His short stories were included in anthologies like The Fiction of Singapore (1990) and Stories from Southeast Asia (1997), while his poems

were featured in journeys: Words, Home and Nation (1995) and Rhythms: A Singaporean Millennial Anthology of Poetry (2000).

He has participated actively and held numerous important posts in literary, language and cultural associations. Among his many public appointments were President of the Malay writers association, Asas '50 (1989 to 1993), President of the Malay Teachers Union (1982 to 1984) and Chairman of Malay Language and Literature in the Central Council of Malay Cultural Organisations of Singapore (1981 to 1986).

Suratman was the first Singaporean to be a guest writer at Kuala Lumpur's Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (a government body coordinating the use of the Malay language) in 1991. He has participated in poetry recital events in cities around the world, including Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, London, Paris, Frankfurt and San Francisco.

Throughout his writing career, Suratman has received multiple literary awards such as the South East Asia Writers Award, Montblanc-N US Centre for the Arts Literary Award, Nusantara Literary Award and Tun Seri Lanang Literary Award.

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