He wrote about what it meant to be Malaysian

Maniam (left) in conversation with Vethamani at the event. — Photos: LUM WENG WAH

Perhaps you read his acclaimed novel The Return in secondary school. Maybe you watched his plays, The Cord or The Sandpit: Womensis, which were first performed in 1984 and 1988 respectively. Or perhaps you went through one of his short stories or poems, many of which are still widely studied today. However you discovered legendary local author K.S. Maniam, chances are his works left an impression on you. The man, after all, is one of Malaysia’s most distinguished writers, whose writing has shaped this country’s literature for many years.

Last week, local literary lovers, academics and writers gathered in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate his legacy at “K.S. Maniam’s Writing: A Celebration”. Organised by the University of Nottingham’s School of English and Maya Press, last Saturday’s event was graced by many of Malaysia’s noted arts practitioners, as well as the 77-year-old Maniam himself.