PETALING JAYA: Pursuing a dream career in literature during tumultuous times seemed like a far-fetched idea. But years later, Datuk Dr M. Shanmughalingam (pic) turned his experiences into a book, titled Marriage and Mutton Curry.
Published by Epigram Books in Singapore in 2018, it sold more than 5,000 copies before entering the UK market in 2020.
Shanmughalingam said he always had a passion for literature and writing, but had to put the idea aside as he was told to study economics instead by his professor.
“My father came from a poor family and he always told me to put duty before pleasure. At the time, he said economics may not be what I want, but it’s good for me and the country.”
Recounting his time in university, Shanmughalingam said he would be envious when he saw his friends going for literature classes while he was attending economics lessons.
“I never lost my love for writing even after earning my degree with honours from Universiti Malaya, Masters from Harvard and PhD from Oxford. I published my first short story in 1977, which won second prize in an Oxford University short story competition.”
The former Finance Ministry deputy secretary, Petronas general manager and current Trilogic Sdn Bhd managing director has published short stories and poems in 37 anthologies and broadcasts.
Shanmughalingam describes Marriage and Mutton Curry as a historical “fac-tion”, which stands for fiction based on real events.
He said “fac-tion” is his way of rewriting historical facts through the viewpoint of human interest stories.
“The storylines are inspired by true life events from history. It covers the three major periods of Malaysian modern history – colonial times under the British, the Japanese occupation during World War II and the period leading to Independence.
“I’m trying to make history come alive for all generations of Malaysians, so that the current generation understands what their parents and grandparents went through to build the country.”
Shanmughalingam had the honour of Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Shah launching his book at the Cooler Lumpur Festival in October 2016.
“Historical fiction fills an important gap by giving us the stories of people who fought much smaller battles, whether domestically or professionally, and who sometimes lost them,” Sultan Nazrin was quoted as saying.
Some of Shanmughalingam’s works also detail colourful experiences during his time working for the ministry. For instance, “Seek and Ye Shall Find?” is about a civil servant who longs for a promotion, only to have the unexpected happen.
Marriage and Mutton Curry is available online or in-store at MPH Bookstores, Gerakbudaya, Kinokuniya, Popular, Lit Books and Riwayat.
