Paul Tan Kim Liang (b. 1970–) is a poet and winner of the Singapore Literature Prize in 1993 and 1997 for his collections of poems.1
Early beginnings
Tan belongs to the third generation of Singapore poets, most of whom are born after 1960. He developed his interest in writing rather late. Other than the odd limericks he wrote as a child, Tan started writing poetry only when he was in National Service. Having been schooled in English, Tan uses the language in all his writings although he does draw from Chinese culture, myth and idioms and incorporates these into his works. Tan considers it a pity that he does not possess the ability to write well in Chinese.2
Writings and influences
Tan made his mark as a poet when he was still an English undergraduate at the National University of Singapore (NUS). He was the first-prize winner of the NUS Literary Society Poetry Competition for two consecutive years, in 1992 and 1993.3
Tan’s debut collection of poems, Curious Roads (1994), chronicles his army life and includes personal reminiscences of his growing up years.4 Like other third-generation poets, Tan also shares with them a preoccupation with cultural identity crisis.5 In 1998, he produced another volume of poetry, titled Driving Into Rain. While Curious Roads seems like a personal journey, Driving Into Rain speaks of a young Singaporean's perspective of the world around him.6 These two collections of verses were winners of the Singapore Literature Prize – Curious Roads in 1993 (Commendation) and Driving Into Rain in 1997 (Merit).7
Tan often laments the indifference given to poetry in Singapore compared with other art forms like performing arts and visual arts, and the fact that Singaporeans are of the view that local literature is a pale shadow of what the West can offer. He feels that publishers, bookstores, the government and the public have a more active role to play in supporting local writers.8
Tan considers the poems of Boey Kim Cheng in Days of No Name (1996), Alfian Saat in One Fierce Hour (1998) and Yong Shu Hoong in Isaac (1997) to be among the more distinct and significant poems by Singaporeans.9
Other achievements and contributions
Tan's poems have been featured in Raffles Editions, an imprint under which winners of the Singapore Literature Prize were published. However, Raffles Editions was discontinued in 2001 due to financial constraints.10 Tan's poems have also been published in The Straits Times, The New Straits Times and The Commentary.11
Tan has played an active role in promoting the art of writing poetry in Singapore, such as by participating in poetry sessions at bookstores and facilitating events involving poetry-writing by school children.12 He is a frequent contributor to the Quarterly Literary Review Singapore, an online journal dedicated to local creative writing.13
In 2012, Tan penned the lyrics for the National Day song titled “Love at First Light”. It was composed by Iskandar Ismail, and performed by Olivia Ong and Natanya Tan. The song “takes listeners through a day in Singapore, and reflects on the Singapore spirit and identity”.14
Tan was a broadcast journalist with the Television Corporation of Singapore (now Mediacorp).15 He is currently the deputy chief executive officer of the National Arts Council.16
Works
Collection of poems
1994: Curious Roads.17
1998: Driving Into Rain.18
2006: First Meeting of Hands.19
2014: Seasonal Disorders/Impractical Lessons.20
Individual poems (selective)21
Changing Bus Routes
Moorings
Observing Mother
Leaving Heathrow
Snack
Short stories (selective)
2001: Jasmine's Father22
2006: The Oriental Grocer23
Awards
1992–1993: First prize, NUS Literary Society Poetry Competition.24
1993: Singapore Literature Prize (Poetry), Commendation, for Curious Roads.25
1997: Singapore Literature Prize (Poetry), Merit, for Driving into Rain.26
Author
Marsita Omar
References
1. “Singapore Literature Prize,” National Book Development Council of Singapore, accessed 6 September 2016, http://bookcouncil.sg/awards/singapore-literature-prize#winners1997.
2. Kirpal Singh, ed., Interlogue: Studies in Singapore Literature, vol. 2. (Singapore: Ethos Books, 1999), 183. (Call no. RSING 809.895957 INT)
3. “Paul Tan Kim Liang: Biography and Brief Introduction,” The Literature, Culture and Society of Singapore, accessed 6 September 2016, http://www.postcolonialweb.org/singapore/literature/poetry/tan/bio1.html.
4. Singh, ed., Interlogue: Studies in Singapore Literature, 184.
5. Koh Buck Song, “Snapshots of Singapore Life Captured in Three Collections,” Straits Times, 10 December 1994, 44. (From NewspaperSG)
6. Singh, ed., Interlogue: Studies in Singapore Literature, 186.
7. National Book Development Council of Singapore, “Singapore Literature Prize.”
8. Singh, ed., Interlogue: Studies in Singapore Literature, 187–88.
9. Singh, ed., Interlogue: Studies in Singapore Literature, 188–89.
10. Clara Chow, “No Money, So They'll Pulp Fiction,” Straits Times, 9 July 2011, 3. (From NewspaperSG)
11. Felix Cheong, Idea to ideal (Singapore: Firstfruits publications, 2004), 76. (Call no. RSING S821.009 IDE)
12. Singh, ed., Interlogue: Studies in Singapore Literature, 189; “Poetry and Music at Borders,” Straits Times. 27 February 1999, 12. (From NewspaperSG)
13. Paul Tan, “Jasmine’s Father,” Quarterly Literary Review Singapore 1, no. 1 (October 2001), http://www.qlrs.com/story.asp?id=136.
14. Tong Jia Han, “NDP Homecoming for Olivia Ong,” My Paper, 12 July 2012; “Tomorrow’s Here Today Is the 2016 NDP Song: Do You Remember Other Theme Songs From the Past?” Straits Times, 20 June 2016. (From Factiva via NLB’s eResources website)
15. Ong Sor Fern, “Broadcast Journalist Wins Merit Award,” Straits Times, 27 November 1997, 41. (From NewspaperSG)
16. “About Us,” National Arts Council, accessed 6 September 2016, https://www.nac.gov.sg/about-us.
17. Paul Tan, Curious Roads (Singapore: EPB Publishers, 1994). (Call no. RSING S821 TAN)
18. Paul Tan, Driving Into Rain (Singapore: Raffles Editions, 1998). (Call no. RSING S821 TAN)
19. Paul Tan, First Meeting of Hands (Singapore: Firstfruits Publications, 2006). (Call no. RSING S821 TAN)
20. “Paul Tan,” Poetry.sg, accessed 6 September 2016, http://www.poetry.sg/paul-tan-bio.
21. The Literature, Culture and Society of Singapore, “Paul Tan.”
22. Paul Tan, “Jasmine’s Father.”
23. Paul Tan, “The Oriental Grocer,” Quarterly Literary Review Singapore 6, no. 1 (October 2006), http://www.qlrs.com/story.asp?id=559.
24. Cheong, Idea to ideal, 76.
25. National Book Development Council of Singapore, “Singapore Literature Prize.”
26. National Book Development Council of Singapore, “Singapore Literature Prize.”
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