Salmi Manja
Malaysian novelist, poet, and journalist (1937–2023)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saleha binti Abdul Rashid (24 July 1937 – 26 December 2023), better known by her pen name Salmi Manja, was a Malaysian novelist, poet, and journalist. She was among the first Malaysian professional women writers and best known for her 1960 novel Hari Mana Bulan Mana (What Day What Month).[1] Femininity, women's issues, and Islam are recurring themes in her work.
24 July 1937
Melati Desa
Rashidah Salleh
Salmi Manja | |
|---|---|
| Born | Saleha binti Abdul Rashid 24 July 1937 |
| Died | 26 December 2023 (aged 86) Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia |
| Pen name | Salmi Manja Melati Desa Rashidah Salleh |
| Occupation | Novelist, poet, journalist |
| Language | Malay |
| Notable works | Hari Mana Bulan Mana Sayang Ustazah Sayang |
Biography
Salmi went to Darul Maarif Arabic-language school and Tong Chai English School in Singapore. In 1956, Salmi attended a writing course offered by the Malay writer Harun Aminurrashid and became a member of the ASAS 50 group along with Usman Awang.
Before her career as a journalist and writer, Salmi worked as a religious teacher in her former school Darul Maarif during which time she contributed works of poetry to a number of local magazines. Salmi later became a journalist for Semenanjung and Berita Harian.[2]
In April 1958, Salmi married the noted novelist and poet A. Samad Said and moved from Singapore to join him in Kuala Lumpur.[3] Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, she published five other novels and two anthologies of short stories and poems. She continued her career as a journalist, working with Cahaya Lembaga and the Selangor Islamic Women's Association.[1]
Salmi died on 26 December 2023, at the age of 86.[4]
Selected works
Novels
- 1960, Hari Mana Bulan Mana (What Day What Month)
- 1968, Rindu Hilang Ditapak Tangan
- Sayang Ustazah Sayang (A Pity, Ustazah, a Pity)
Collection of short stories
- Daun-daun Berguguran (Fallen Leaves)