Samad Said making 'good noise'
Sheila Sri Priya
Q & A with TAN SRI A. SAMAD SAID
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| TAN SRI A. SAMAD SAID: If they feel I’m truly a ‘sasterawan negara’, our children should read my books. |
NATIONAL literary laureate Tan Sri A. Samad Said says he is uneasy with bureaucracy.
He feels that some people think he is making too much "noise", but he argues that he is making "good noise".
Samad Said was born on April 9, 1935 in Belimbing Dalam, Durian Tunggal, Malacca.
The 73-year-old, known for his flowing grey hair and beard, is an icon to many local writers and painters.
He has also made his mark in international literary circles.
Samad's latest work is 68 Soneta Pohon Ginko which is based on his experience of attending the Asian Literary Festival in South Korea.
Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born in Malacca. At the age of six months, we moved to Singapore because my dad was working as a bus driver there. I only returned to Malaysia when I was 25.
I was working with Utusan Melayu in Singapore and I moved to Malaysia when Utusan came here. After that, I moved to Berita Harian and stayed with the company for 30 years. My highest position there was as assistant group editor.
Q: Tell us a bit about your family
A: I have a 27-year-old son studying in San Francisco. He shares his knowledge, music and books with me. In fact, we are good buddies and we have no communication barrier. The only complaint I have is that I have to spend a lot of money on him!
I have two kids in college, three are married and I have nine grandchildren.
Q: What are your areas of interest?
A: I started as a painter in the mid 1950s but later shifted to literary writing. I kept my paintings mostly to myself and it was my secret endeavour.
Last year when a team of artists came to my house to pass an invitation, they saw my paintings. News of my paintings travelled and finally Petronas Art Gallery had an exhibition of my art. I received invitations from countries like Bangladesh, Japan and Korea. I will have another art exhibition in Korea in June 2009.
My paintings have been bought by corporations like Bank Negara and Petronas.
I will give more attention to paintings because this is a field I have not fully ventured into.
Back in the 1950s, when I was in Singapore, I was trained by a famous art instructor, C. Mahat.
My paintings have elements of calligraphy with scribbles of my poems which make them original. My favourite colours are red and black and I use ink to paint.
I earned more last year from my paintings than my literary works. My paintings are also inspired by the environment.
I also buy the works of young artists to support them. All paintings should have a theme or else they are just wallpaper.
Q: What is your most recent book?
A: It is called 68 Soneta Pohon Ginko which will be translated into Korean by the Malaysian Institute of Translation.
Q: How is your relationship with Dewan Bahasa?
A: Most of the staff in Dewan Bahasa are my friends. I've known them since the 1950s.
Somehow I'm uneasy over the bureaucracy. Some claim I'm making too much "noise", but I think I'm making "good noise". It's important to always receive constructive opinions.
Since I'm a sasterawan negara, it is logical to admire and value my works by turning them into curriculum school books for the students.
They did include fragments of my works in the text books but I would like the children to have at least a book on my works.
Children may have read the Lord of the Flies written by Nobel Prize winning author William Golding and American children read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee published in 1960.
If they feel I'm truly a sasterawan negara, our children should read my books.
Q: How did you end up reciting your poems in local singer Ferhad's latest song?
A: We met in Bangsar and he asked if he could use two of my verses in his song. I'm very open to ideas and I often say yes to interesting requests. It was also to help another blooming artist in Malaysia. Ramli Sarip and Kumpulan Korpratasa have turned my poems into songs.
Q: Would you like your works to be translated into movies?
A: One of my novels was adapted into a movie in the early 1980s but it didn't reach my expectation.
I watch at least six movies a week. They include English, Korean, Italian, Chinese, Tamil, and local movies.
I can even watch five movies a day in the cinemas to know what's happening around the world.
Q: Do you have any favourite local filmmakers?
A: I like Yasmin Ahmad, and I have watched all her movies. She's a brave woman and filmmakers should be like her.
It hurt to see her being criticised when she introduced new elements to her stories. I accept her work very well.
Q: Do you follow Malaysian politics?
A: Yes! I do attend invitation to functions by BN, Pakatan and other political parties. Sometimes I give talks at the events.
Politicians are often on different boats but I prefer to be everyone's friend. I spoke to the prime minister recently at lunch. We spoke about his hobbies and his reading habits.
I also like Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim because when he was the deputy prime minister, he focused his attention on writers. He was among those who invited me to recite poems during events. In Japan, writers are invited to the palace to recite poems.
Q: How do you describe Tun Mahathir's era?
A: Mahathir wasn't easy to get along with but he did a good job during his later years. He gave importance to people like Usman Awang but it's a little late...(laughs).
I was even friends with the late Tunku Abdul Rahman. I'm used to all the leaders and I can be friends with any ministers here or in east Malaysia.
Q: Why did you choose to keep your beard and moustache?
A: In 1979, I was sick for the first time. I never visited a doctor and since then I stopped shaving too.
Only recently I visited a doctor because I wanted to go for my umrah. They found that I am diabetic and since then, I read books on healthy food. I also watch Dr Oz on Oprah to keep myself updated on medical matters.
Q: Do you own a car? You are often seen walking in town.
A: I used to have one. I prefer walking with my wife. I have an apartment in Bangsar, and it's near the LRT station. I live on the higher floors but I like to take the stairs. I rely on public transport to get to places. It's a good form of exercise.
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