Literary Prizes in Malaysia: awards,organizers and authors

Abstract

Abridged version of an article published in KekalAbadi in March 1995. Lists eighty-six literary awards and prizes offered for creative literary works in the Malay language written between 1946 and 1993. Identifies the organizers offering these awards. Government agencies contributed more than half of the awards. Organizers in the private sector provided 22 percent of the awards; literary associations and societies provided 17 percent. 829 authors contributed 1,748 winning titles (including consolation prizes). Short stories accounted for 47 percent, poetry for 36 percent, novels account for 11 percent, and dramas for 6 percent. A small number of authors won most of the prizes. This may have management implications for libraries and documentation centres wishing to build collections of award-win ning works. The success of literary awards in encouraging Malaysian authors may provide an example for other develop. ing countries anxious to increase their indigenous literary out put.

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Kekal Abadi is published by: Perpustakaan Universiti Malaya, embah Pantai, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Fax: +60 (3) 757-3661.

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