S.M. Zakir

S.M. Zakir (Syed Mohd Zakir Bin Syed Othman Al-Yahya) (Born: February 4th, 1969) is a notable writer in the modern Malay literary space. His works include short stories, novels, poetry, literary essays, and review articles.

Birth, Education

Syed Mohammed Zakir Bin Syed Othman Al-Yahya alias S.M. Zakir was born on February 4th, 1969 in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. His father S. Othman Kelantan (Syed Othman Bin Syed Umar) was the 9th National Literary Writer in Malaysia.

S.M. Zakir grew up in the states of Penang and Selangor. He received his primary education from Tengku Indira Petra National School, Kelantan, until the age of 10 and continued his primary education at Bukit Gelugor National School in Penang. He completed his secondary education at the following schools: Penang Free School, Bandar Baru Bangi Secondary School, and Dinghy Kajang Secondary School. Hecompleted his higher education at Mara University of Technology and Institute of Commercial Management, England.

Literary Life

S.M. Zakir started his literary career in 1990. He has written short stories, novels, poetry, and essays. His works have been published in Malaysia’s top literary magazines such as Dewan Sastera, Dewan Masyarakat, Pelita Bahasa, Bahasa, Dewan Siswa, Jurnal Perisa, Malay Literature Jurnal, Pangsura Jurnal, Aswara Jurnal, Milenia Muslim, and Pentas. S.M. Zakir has also been published in major Malay dailies in Malaysia such as Berita Minggu, Berita Harian, Utusan Melayu, Utusan Zaman, and Minggu Malaysia.

S.M. Zakir has written more than 200 short stories. He has also written review articles on films, stage, art, and culture. In 2010, he wrote film review articles titled "Sinema" and "Film Dan Pemikiran".

S.M. Zakir has worked as a columnist formagazines such as Agar Magazine (1996-1998), Milenia Muslim Magazine (2006), Masa Magazine (2005-2006), Pentas Magazine, Mingguan Wasilla Magazine (January 2008 - May 2009), and Suara Baru Magazine (August 2008 - March 2009). He has written articles in magazines related to film, religion, and politics.

From December 2003 to December 2006, S.M. Zakir worked as a short story editor for the magazine Tunas Cipta. He wrote a novel series in Milena Musli magazine from July 2004 to March 2007.

S.M. Zakir has judged literary competitions since 2002. He has given speeches in literary workshopssince 2003. He has written articles for magazines of various countries such as Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, and Thailand.

Literary Roles

• S.M. Zakir was the Deputy Coordinator for Young Writers of the Amalgamated National Writers Association (GAPENA) from 2002-2003.
• S.M. Zakir was the Secretary General of the Malaysian National Writers Association (PENA) for three terms, 2006 - 2008, 2008 - 2010, 2010 - 2012.
• S.M. Zakir manages his own publishing house Nusabuku.
• He also manages Nusa Centre, a research center dedicated to art, culture, and science.

Career in Theatre

S.M. Zakir has worked as script writer in theatre. His play titled "Cinta Si Pemain Pedang" was staged on November 15-18, 2006 at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka

Awards & Prizes

• MASTERA Young Laureate Award (2010)
• Southeast Asian Writers Award Southeast Asian Writers Award (S.E.A Write Award) (2011)
• Perdana Literary Award
• State of Kelantan Literary Awards
• Gabungan Persatuan Karyawan Filem Malaysia (GAFIM) - Film Critics Award (2008)
• Utusan-Public Bank Literary Prizes (1990,1992,1994, 1995,1999,2000,2002)
• Utusan-ExxonMobil Literary Prizes (2003, 2004,2005,2008,2009)
• Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka - Maybank Literary Prizes (1992,1993,)
• Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka - Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur
• Formula Malaysia Prize (2000)

Literary Place

In the 1990’s, when literary writings were majorly focusing on Naturalism in the Malay literary space, S.M. Zakir was one of writers who made a new attempt in the world of fiction by combining mythology and history with Naturalism. In his short stories, S.M. Zakir encouraged his readers to imagine beyond the story by creating a twist in the end of the story instead of telling the story directly. S. Othman Kelantan mentions that, “S.M. Zakir’s way of storytelling makes him unique in the Malay literary space.”

Books

Works in Tamil

• Izhindha Veedu: Vallinam; Translation Arvinkumat
• Thirayil Asaiyum Katchigal: Vallinam; Translation Arvinkumar
• Saalaiyora Vidhaigal: Vallinam; Translation Salini
• Vinnil Irunthu Vizhundha Pen: Vallinam; Translation A. Pandiyan
• Arasiyalvaaadhi: Translation A. Pandiyan

Novels

• Karya dan Kekuasaan Pengarang (2021)
• Di Bawah Lembayung (1991)
• Kembang Kanigara (1992)
• Ahli Politik (2012)
• Ikarus (2018)
• Rumah Kupu-kupu (2020)
• Cerita Sebuah Rumah (2021)
• Dunia Lelaki (2023)

Short Stories

• Merengkuh Langit (1995)
• Antologi Fatamorgana (1997)
• Sekuntum Kembang di Sayap Jibril (2001)
• Menyirat Nirmala (2005)
• Sekeping Roh di Atas Bantal (2005)
• Serigala dan Sekuntum Tulip (2010)
• Bidadari Burung (2012)
• 20 Cerita tentang Tuhan (2017)
• Ular Di Tilamku (2019)
• Dewa Cinta (2020)
• Cinta Dalam Secawan Kopi (2022)

Poetry

• Memburu Malaikat ( 2006)
• Sajak-sajak Petualang; Manusia Mimpi (2009)
• Kumpulan Puisi Aroma (2015)
• Perjalanan Sang Zaman (2015)
• Rumah Yang Tumbuh Dari Bukit (2019)

Biography

• Biography of 7th National Artist Datuk (Dr) Ahmad Nawab (2008)

Articles

• Laboratorium (2014)
• Dunia Tanpa Tirai ( 2009)
• Pascamoden Kutukan Terhadap Falsafah & Agama (2010)
• Sinema (2010)
• Filem & Pemikiran (2010)
• Catatan dari Formosa 1 (2021)
• Catatan dari Formosa 2 (2021)

References

• S.M. Zakir An Introduction Vallinam Magazine. Salini
• SM Zakir Penerima SEA Write Awards 2011
• SM Zakir Mata Pedang Barat Timur
• Upaya S.M Zakir merengkuh langit: kumpulan cerpen generasi melayu

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