Rama Kannabiran
P. Krishnan (Puthumaithasan)
K T M Iqbal
M. Balakrishnan (Ma Ilangkannan)
Muhammad Ariff Ahmad
J.M. Sali
Suratman Markasan
Hedwig Anuar
Suchen Christine Lim
Yeng Pway Ngon
Wong Yoon Wah
Wong Meng Voon
Tham Yew Chin (You Jin)
Pan Cheng Lui
Neo Choon Hong
Lim Hung Chang
Li Lienfung
Fang Xiu
Cheong Weng Yat (Zhang Hui)
Djamal Tukimin
Abdul Ghani Hamid
Chew Kok Chang
Ho Minfong
Goh Poh Seng
Edwin Thumboo
Kirpal Singh
Lim Thean Soo
Goh Mey Teck
Ismail Haji Omar
Masuri Salikun (Masuri S. N.)
Meira Chand
Lee Tzu Pheng
Catherine Lim
Arthur Yap
TributeSG
J.M. Sali
A prolific novelist and writer
“In Singapore we are proud to have four
official languages, so master your mother
tongue. Read and learn what pioneers before
you have achieved and practice your writing.”
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.
Timeline
10 Apr 1939
Born in India.
1955
Started writing.
1959
Received Best Children’s Novel award by Kannan Magazine, Tamil Nadu, India for Iru Kankal (Two Eyes).
1961
Published Iru Kankal.
1962
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.
1964
Moved to Singapore.
1964 to 1971
Assistant Editor, Tamil Murasu.
1965
Income Configurations
1966
Translated One Year of Independence, published by the Ministry of Culture.
1971 to 1981
Assistant Editor, Ananda Vikatan Weekly, Madras, India.
1974
Published three biographies of Muhammad Ali.
1975
Published Alaikal Pesukinrana.
Published five biographies of Bruce Lee.
1976
Published biography of Idi Ameen.
1977
Published Vilanku.
Published biography of Pele Kalpanthu Mannan Pele (Soccer King Pele).
1978
Published Kanakanden Thozhi.
Published Solli Therivathillai.
Published biography of Yasser Arafat.
1978
Received Best Tamil Novel Award by the Tamil Nadu Government for Kanakanden Thozhi.
1980
Translated Once Upon A Time – Buddha History for New Delhi’s National Book Trust.
Published Puratchi Thalaivarin Ponmozhigal.
1981 to 1982
Executive Editor, Mayan Youth Magazine, Madras, India.
1982
Published Siruvar Sirukahaikal.
1983
Assistant Editor, Tamil Murasu.
1983
Published Sayal.
1983 to 2000
Broadcast Journalist, Singapore Broadcasting Corporation.
News Editor, Television Corporation of Singapore.
1987 to 1990
Editorial Advisor and Contributing Editor, Singa.
1994
Published Nonbu.
Published VellaiKodugal.
1995
Received Best Children’s Book award by the Tamil Nadu Government for Ariviyal Munnodigal (Science Pioneers).
1996
Received Book Award by the National Book Development Council of Singapore for Nonbu (Fasting), a collection of short stories.
1998
Published Antha Naal.
2000 to 2012
Part-time Translation Tutor, Civil Service College, Singapore.
Part-time Interpreter, Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.
2001
Received TamilaVel Virudhu Award by the Singapore Tamil Writers Association.
2004 to 2012
Member, NADI Editorial Committee, Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).
2005
Received Kavimalai Award by Kavimalai Poets Association.
2007
Published Aayul Thandanai.
2008
Published J. M. Sali Sirukatahikal.
2008
Shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize for Aayul Thandanai (Life Imprisonment).
Received Seera Award by the Chennai Kamban Kazhagam.
2009
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).
2011
Published Ponmalar.
Published Siruvar Kathaikal.
Published Muthirai Ninaivukal.
2012
Received the Cultural Medallion for his contributions to literature.
2015
Received the SEA Write Award.
2026
Passed away at the age of 87 in Singapore.
Image Gallery
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.
