What began as a casual conversation during a holiday has evolved into a literary achievement, with a group of senior writers proving that age is no barrier to creativity by producing the Jemari Emas: Jambangan Pelangi short story anthology in less than a year.
Published by Pena Padu Press, the anthology features 18 short stories by 10 writers in their 60s and 70s. Self-published with an initial print run of about 1,000 copies, it was released in time for the recent Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (PBAKL).
Writer and novelist Ruhayah Mahmod, better known by her pen name Puteri Andalas, said the idea for the anthology stemmed from a pantun collection previously produced by the group with National Laureate Datuk Dr Zurinah Hassan.
She said the project later attracted other writers, eventually forming a 10-member group of senior writers known as Jemari Emas (Golden Fingers).
"Coincidentally, all 10 writers involved in this project are senior citizens. We named the group Jemari Emas because it brings together writers who continue to create and contribute despite their advancing age," she told Bernama Radio's Fokus 30 programme recently.
Ruhayah, 77, said the Bahasa Malaysia anthology covers a wide range of themes, many of which are inspired by the writers' life experiences and observations of society.
She said the project initially involved only five writers, but the number was expanded to ensure the anthology offered a more comprehensive and balanced collection of stories.
"We worked quickly because we wanted to meet the PBAKL deadline. The book was completed in less than a year, but the main challenge was coordinating contributions from 10 writers, as the project originally started with only five.
"The anthology was also self-published, so each writer contributed their own funds based on the number of copies ordered. Thankfully, we managed to complete it in time," she said.
Besides works by Zurinah and Ruhayah, the anthology also features contributions from An Anzah Hassan, Azizah Md Saad, Dr Norasmah Mohd Noor, Hanom Ibrahim, Juriyati Mat Jalil, Masriyah Misni, Nabun Ahmad and Zaitun Mohd Razeli.
Meanwhile, Zurinah said the anthology's strength lies in the diverse backgrounds of its contributors, whose experiences enrich the stories with unique perspectives and life lessons.
"Some are retired military personnel, journalists, businesspeople and lecturers. They have a wealth of experience to draw from. As we grow older, we accumulate many stories. Those are the stories we share in this book," she said.
Zurinah said works by senior writers are not merely reflections of personal experiences but also a means of sharing lessons and values with readers.
"Although senior citizens wrote the anthology, its contents are suitable for readers of all ages because many of the stories reflect everyday experiences and issues that resonate with society," she said.
Among the themes explored in the anthology are family, loss, resilience in facing life's challenges, moral values, religion, community life, and the interaction between Eastern and Western cultures. - Bernama
