Isa Kamari (b. 1960, Singapore – ) is a prominent figure in Singapore’s Malay literary scene. He has gained critical acclaim for many of his works, which range from novels and short stories to poetry and essays. He is also a musician and has crafted scripts for television and theatre. In 2007, his contributions to the nation were officially recognised when he was conferred the most prestigious arts award in Singapore, the Cultural Medallion; he was the first non full-time artist to receive the award.
Education and employment
Isa obtained his bachelor’s degree (with honours) in Architecture from the National University of Singapore in 1988. In 2008, he obtained a Master of Philosophy in Malay Letters from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (National University of Malaysia). He currently holds the position of architecture manager at the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, while pursuing the arts in his free time. He balances his various commitments by sticking to a disciplined and regimented schedule. On weekdays, he works as an architect from 8:30 am to 6 pm, after which he returns home to spend time with his family; he then writes from 10 pm to 2 am.
Inspiration
Isa has openly admitted that he derives inspiration from riding the public transport daily, and the aural and visual stimulation it brings. As he does not drive, he utilises the time spent on buses to generate ideas for his creative works. Many of his works are shaped by the identity contestations that mark his position as a Malay, Muslim and Singaporean. He perceives writing to be a way for him to sort out his personal dilemmas and to be at peace with himself. He also believes that literary works can serve to record the sense of place necessary for the cultural identity of a nation.
A trained architect, he sees a similarity between architecture and writing. He believes that both are guided by the aesthetic principles of balance, synchronisation, climax and space, and that one should be able to read a house like one would a novel.
Isa is also musically inclined. He is a member of the spiritual music trio Sirrfillsirr, which performs widely in Singapore and Malaysia and has released two albums.
Accomplishments
In 1997, his short story Pertemuan won the Hadiah Sastera, Anugerah Persuratan, a Malay literature award given by the Malay Language Council of Singapore. He received the award for the second time in 2001 for his essay Milik Siapa Bumi Yang Satu Ini. He has received numerous awards for his other works, including his first novel Satu Bumi. Released in 1998, Satu Bumi was translated and published in Mandarin and English in 1999 and 2007, respectively. It was also selected for the launch of the nationwide reading initiative Read Singapore! in 2005. Another novel, Kiswah, was shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize in 2004.
Isa was presented with the distinguished Southeast Asian Writers Award (also known as the S.E.A. Write Award) in 2006. He has also received two of the most prestigious cultural awards in Singapore, the Cultural Medallion in 2007 and the Anugerah Tun Seri Lanang in 2009.
He sits on various government committees, including the steering committee for the Singapore Arts Festival (organised by the National Arts Council), the implementation committee for the National Art Gallery project (under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts) and the select committee for the promotion of the Malay language (under the Ministry of Education).
In addition, he frequently presents papers in international conferences and seminars on literature and the arts. He also conducts creative workshops for children regularly.
Major literary works
1993 : Sumur Usia (poetry collection).
1994 : Sketsa Minda (collection of short stories).
1998 : Satu Bumi (novel).
1999 : Yi Pien Re Tu (Mandarin translation of Satu Bumi).
2002 : Menara, Kiswah and Tawassul (novels).
2003 : Munajat Sukma (poetry collection).
2006 : Atas Nama Cinta (novel) and Ka’bah, Lorong Wahyu and Cinta Arafah (three poetry collections, each with a compact disc containing songs and poetry declamation).
2007 : One Earth (English translation of Satu Bumi) and Memeluk Gerhana (novel).
2009 : Rawa (novel), Intercession (English translation of Tawassul) and Nadra (English translation of Atas Nama Cinta).
Scriptwriting portfolio
2002 : Dua Wajah, a television drama for Suria (Singapore) and PRIMA Entertainment (Indonesia).
2004 : Mengejar Bayangan, a television drama for Suria (Singapore) and PRIMA Entertainment (Indonesia).
2004 : Tapioca Days, a documentary written, directed and produced by Isa and shown at the “Memories of Old Ford Factory” gallery, Singapore.
2006 : Endau Beckons, a documentary written, directed and produced by Isa and shown at the “Memories of Old Ford Factory” gallery, and Isa’s debut play Pintu, which was staged by Teater Ekamatra at the Arts House, Singapore.
2008 : Sidang Burung, a play staged by Teater Ekamatra at the Esplanade, Singapore.
Song albums
2004 : Cinta Arafah.
2009 : Kurnia.
Nominations and awards
1993 : Merit Award, Hadiah Sastera, Anugerah Persuratan, Singapore.
1995 : Merit Award, Hadiah Sastera, Anugerah Persuratan, Singapore.
1995 : National Book Development Council Award, Singapore (for Sumur Usia).
1995 : Merit Awards for poetry and short story, Saadon Ismail Award, organised by the Malay Journalists’ Association, Singapore.
1997 : Merit Award, Anugerah Persuratan, Singapore.
1997 : Hadiah Sastera, Anugerah Persuratan, Singapore (for Pertemuan).
1999 : Merit Award, Hadiah Sastera, Anugerah Persuratan, Singapore (for Satu Bumi).
2001 : Hadiah Sastera, Anugerah Persuratan, Singapore (for Milik Siapa Bumi Yang Satu Ini).
2003 : Merit Award, Hadiah Sastera, Anugerah Persuratan, Singapore (for Menara).
2006 : S.E.A. Write Award.
2007 : Cultural Medallion, Singapore.
2009 : Anugerah Tun Seri Lanang, Singapore.
Family
Isa met his wife, Sukmawati Sirat, at the National University of Singapore in the 1980s. They got married in 1989 and have two daughters. His wife has translated many of his works.
Author
Nurhaizatul Jamila Jamil
References
Hong, X. Y. (2006, December 21). Doorway to heaven. The Straits Times. Retrieved February 14, 2011, from NewspaperSG.
Inspired by those morning bus rides. (2009, August 8). The Straits Times. Retrieved March 3, 2010, from Factiva database.
Isa Kamari. (2008). Biodata. Retrieved March 3, 2010, from http://www.isakamari.com/index.cfm?GPID=4
National Arts Council. (2007, October 19). 2007 arts awards ceremony: Profiles of recipients. Retrieved March 18, 2010, from http://www.nac.gov.sg/Data/news/330/Annex%201%20-%20AA%202007.doc
Prolific Malay writer deals with global issues. (2007, October 20). The Straits Times. Retrieved March 3, 2010, from Factiva database.
Tan, T. (2008, October 26). When disturbed, he writes. The Straits Times. Retrieved March 3, 2010, from Factiva database.
Yap, S. (2008, October 24). Actors let spirits soar. The Straits Times. Retrieved March 19, 2010, from Factiva database.
The information in this article is valid as at 2010 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.
