Cecil Rajendra | |
---|---|
Born | 1941 (age 82–83) Penang, Malaysia |
Occupation | Lawyer, poet |
Cecil Rajendra (born 1941) is a Malaysian poet and lawyer. [1] [2] His poems have been published in more than 50 countries and translated into several languages. [3]
Born in Penang, Rajendra completed his education at St. Xavier's Institution (elementary), the University of Singapore (undergraduate), and Lincoln's Inn (legal, London). [2]
Rajendra, nicknamed 'The Lawyer-Poet', writes controversial poems that address human rights and environmental problems. As an attorney, his work has focused on helping poorer people who are in need of legal aid. He is a co-founder of Penang Legal Aid Centre (PLAC). [4]
Working with photographer Ismail Hasim, Rajendra explored the backstreets of the island of Penang before the pair compiled and published Scent of an Island, a collection of poetry and black-and-white photographs of Penang. [5]
In 1993 he had his passport taken from him by the Malaysian government, to prevent him from traveling. A Malaysian High Commission spokesman stated, "Mr Rajendra's passport was retained for his anti- logging activities, which it was felt could damage the country's image overseas". [6]
In 2005, Rajendra was awarded the first Malaysian Lifetime Humanitarian Award "in recognition of his pioneering legal aid work and exemplary poetry". [3] Also in 2005 he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature, which went to Harold Pinter. [7]
Cecil Rajendra | |
---|---|
Born | 1941 (age 82–83) Penang, Malaysia |
Occupation | Lawyer, poet |
Cecil Rajendra (born 1941) is a Malaysian poet and lawyer. [1] [2] His poems have been published in more than 50 countries and translated into several languages. [3]
Born in Penang, Rajendra completed his education at St. Xavier's Institution (elementary), the University of Singapore (undergraduate), and Lincoln's Inn (legal, London). [2]
Rajendra, nicknamed 'The Lawyer-Poet', writes controversial poems that address human rights and environmental problems. As an attorney, his work has focused on helping poorer people who are in need of legal aid. He is a co-founder of Penang Legal Aid Centre (PLAC). [4]
Working with photographer Ismail Hasim, Rajendra explored the backstreets of the island of Penang before the pair compiled and published Scent of an Island, a collection of poetry and black-and-white photographs of Penang. [5]
In 1993 he had his passport taken from him by the Malaysian government, to prevent him from traveling. A Malaysian High Commission spokesman stated, "Mr Rajendra's passport was retained for his anti- logging activities, which it was felt could damage the country's image overseas". [6]
In 2005, Rajendra was awarded the first Malaysian Lifetime Humanitarian Award "in recognition of his pioneering legal aid work and exemplary poetry". [3] Also in 2005 he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature, which went to Harold Pinter. [7]