new directions in singapore studies
Posted in 9 the arts II on Jun 19th, 2011
Robert Yeo This is a personal essay to remember and chart my experience as a writer in the context of Singapore’s development, during the decade 1970-79, from cultural desert to global city. I will try to make connexions and generalizations which will, I hope, not seem too sweeping. “Only connect,” wrote E.M. Forster, and that […]
Posted in 9 the arts II on Jun 19th, 2011
Alvin Pang Some months ago I was given the opportunity to curate an anthology of contemporary writing from Singapore. The result was a selection from thirty-nine living Singaporean writers spanning multiple genres working in the four major literary languages (Chinese, English, Malay, Tamil) in use today.
Posted in 8 intellectuals on Dec 23rd, 2010
Chiu Weili The ‘Modernist’ poetry movement started in Singapore in the late 1950s, with key figures such as Chen Ruixian, Du Nanfa etc. Initially viewed as an off-shoot of its Taiwanese counterpart, it soon became an indigenous literary campaign, extending its reach as far as Malaysia. It is distinctive in its particular emphasis on aesthetics […]
Posted in 2 archives & memory on Jan 10th, 2008
Wang Gungwu From The Malayan Undergrad, Vol 9 No 5 July 1958 When I was a schoolboy a little more than ten years ago, no one talked of such a thing as Malayan poetry. It was not even known if there was any poetry written by people who lived in Malaya.
Posted in 2 archives & memory on Jan 10th, 2008
Wang Gungwu Quavers quiver along the violin strings And fingers grasp the: whale-skin threads, Trace the image of hallowed things. Hark the bass dum dum Followed by the swish swish feet; And the talking jerky with the swinging beat.
Posted in 2 archives & memory on Jan 10th, 2008
Wang Gungwu The moon, impure as ever, like tea-leaves, Coffee dregs, on a cup of cream, cleaves On to drooping leaves of rubber trees, Scatters bright thieves to steal the keys That open to mem’ries of home.
