Singaporean Literature in the 21st Century

Indian Literature

• Indian literature is characterized by a deeply religious spirit and piety.
• The Ramayana and Mahabharata are the most important epics of India, featuring family struggles and struggles over land and dharma.
• The family is an important theme in Indian literature and drama.
• The Vedas are the earliest Indian literature, written in Sanskrit and considered canonical Hindu sacred writings.

Tamil Literature

• Tamil literature has a rich tradition spanning over 2000 years.
• It is known for its poetic nature, including epics, philosophical, and secular works.

Asian Literature

• The literature of India, China, and Japan has been the most popular among other Asian countries due to its longevity and influence.
• Famous authors from these countries include Vikram Chandra, Amitav Ghosh, Salman Rushdie, Yasunari Kawabata, Takiji Kobayashi, Kobi Abe, and Haruki Murakami.

Singaporean Literature

• Singaporean literature is written mainly in the four official languages of the country: English, Malay, Mandarin Standard, and Tamil.
• The rise of print culture in the British colony led to the flourishing of various literatures in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• English became emphasized in the education system and society after independence in 1965 as part of modernization efforts.
• Translation plays a key role in bridging linguistic and literary divides.
• Literary anthologies are invaluable forms for expressing and negotiating national literature and national identity.
• Literary anthologies often focus on urban space, city life, and the rapid transformation of Singapore's physical environment.
• Notable publications include the Internet Quarterly Literary Review Singapore, Singapore Poetry, and Poetry.sg.

Japanese Literature

• Japanese literature has been heavily influenced by Chinese literature from the ancient period to the Edo period (1603-1868).
• Japanese literature can be divided into four periods: Classical, Ancient, Medieval, and Modern.
• Ancient literature in Japan deals primarily with myths and legends, as seen in works such as the Man'yoshu.
• Modern literature is further divided into early modern (Edo period) and modern (Meiji period), when Japan opened its doors to the West.
• Notable Japanese literary forms include kabuki, haiku, and yomihon.
• Famous Japanese authors include Yasunari Kawabata, Takiji Kobayashi, Kobi Abe, and Haruki Murakami.