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J. M. Sali was born in India in 1939 and came to Singapore in 1964 to join Tamil Murasu as an assistant editor. A prolific novelist, short-story writer, children’s literature writer, poet, dramaturge and translator, he helped to put Singapore on the international Tamil language literary map. Sali has created a body of work that extends to over 55 books that constitutes a major contribution to Tamil literature. His works have garnered multiple literary awards and some are now prescribed as standard textbooks in colleges and universities.
Born in India.
Started writing.
Received Best Children’s Novel award by Kannan Magazine, Tamil Nadu, India for Iru Kankal (Two Eyes).
Published Iru Kankal.
Graduated with Masters of Arts from Madras University, India.
Received Best Children’s Novel award by Chennai Children’s Writers Association, India, for Thanka Kiligal.
Moved to Singapore.
Assistant Editor, Tamil Murasu.
Income Configurations
Translated One Year of Independence, published by the Ministry of Culture.
Assistant Editor, Ananda Vikatan Weekly, Madras, India.
Published three biographies of Muhammad Ali.
Published Alaikal Pesukinrana.
Published five biographies of Bruce Lee.
Published biography of Idi Ameen.
Published Vilanku.
Published biography of Pele Kalpanthu Mannan Pele (Soccer King Pele).
Published Kanakanden Thozhi.
Published Solli Therivathillai.
Published biography of Yasser Arafat.
Received Best Tamil Novel Award by the Tamil Nadu Government for Kanakanden Thozhi.
Translated Once Upon A Time – Buddha History for New Delhi’s National Book Trust.
Published Puratchi Thalaivarin Ponmozhigal.
Executive Editor, Mayan Youth Magazine, Madras, India.
Published Siruvar Sirukahaikal.
Assistant Editor, Tamil Murasu.
Published Sayal.
Broadcast Journalist, Singapore Broadcasting Corporation.
News Editor, Television Corporation of Singapore.
Editorial Advisor and Contributing Editor, Singa.
Published Nonbu.
Published VellaiKodugal.
Received Best Children’s Book award by the Tamil Nadu Government for Ariviyal Munnodigal (SciencePioneers).
Received Book Award by the National Book Development Council of Singapore for Nonbu (Fasting) a collection of short stories.
Published Antha Naal.
Part-time Translation Tutor, Civil Service College, Singapore.
Part-time Interpreter, Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
Received TamilaVel Virudhu Award by the Singapore Tamil Writers Association.
Member, NADI Editorial Committee, Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).
Received Kavimalai Award by Kavimalai Poets Association.
Published Aayul Thandanai.
Published J. M. Sali Sirukatahikal.
Shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize for Aayul Thandanai (Life Imprisonment).
Received Seera Award by the Chennai Kamban Kazhagam.
Published Ilakia Ithazial Munnodical (Tamil Muslim Pioneers of Modern Literature and Journalism Part 1).
Published Thamizhakathu Durghakkal (Durghas of Tamil Nadu – History of Saints).
Published Annadurai’s Speech Collection in Meelad Festivals.
Published Oru Kilai Paravaikal (Birds of the Same Feather).
Published Ponmalar.
Published Siruvar Kathaikal.
Published Muthirai Ninaivukal.
Received the Cultural Medallion for his contributions to literature.
Received the SEA Write Award.
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J.M. Sali interviewing P. Sri Archarya, a Tamil scholar, journalist and writer, for a magazine in Vittalapuram, Tamil Nadu. 1979.
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J. M. Sali at the NBDCS Book Awards with the guest-of-honour, Mr Liu Thai Ker, and other award recipients. 1996.
TributeSG celebrates the arts community’s most senior members, and those who have made a lifetime of contribution to the arts. These artists, administrators, educators, patrons, and champions include many Singapore arts pioneers who laid the foundations of the vibrant arts and cultural scene we enjoy today. The many profiles in TributeSG let us into the minds and worlds of these pioneers, and help us understand our shared arts heritage. When we revisit their works and rediscover their journeys, we learn where we came from and how we came to be. Collectively, their stories tell the tale of the making of a nation’s artistic identity.
In putting together this collection, the TributeSG team consulted an external advisory panel, consisting of Arun Mahiznan, Choo Thiam Siew, J. P. Nathan, K. K. Seet, Kwok Kian Chow, and Iskandar Ismail. Those selected to be profiled in TributeSG met one of the following criteria: they were at least 60 years of age as of 12 Oct 2016, or deceased, or had received national recognition in the form of the Cultural Medallion. This journey of arts archival officially came to a close on 12 Oct 2016, after four years of extensive research, interviews and collation of information graciously provided by the TributeSG pioneers, their families and peers. TributeSG also benefited from enthusiastic help from like-minded friends and organisations who supported Esplanade’s cause—to remember, honour and celebrate Singapore’s arts pioneers.
