Saharil Hasrin Sanin

For the book Section in theSun today, I highlighted a Malay writer Saharil Hasrin Sanin. He talks about his three books Kentang, Tentang and Dentang Below is my story.  

Headline: Connecting Through Symbol  
By Bissme S

SAHARIL HASRIN SANIN has the gift of telling stories with a touch of humour and wit.
 “I have been brought up to be always critical and sceptical,” says the 41-year-old author, illustrator and visual artist. 
“So scarcasm and humour come naturally to me. The most difficult thing for me to write is emotion. I do not want to be too melodramatic. I am more interested [in showing] emotion.” 
Saharil believes that humans connect emotionally through symbols rather than words. 
“Our earliest language is [in the form of] hieroglyphs,” says Saharil, a native of Pontian in Johor but who now resides in Kuala Lumpur. 
“Currently, all our languages are returning to this mode of communication via emojis. Even the Oxford English Dictionary’s word of the year for 2015  was an emoji. I am trying to explore emotions without using words. It is an experiment, and I hope it works.” 
Saharil’s ‘ experiment’ can be seen in his book series that began in 2001 with Kentang, where he uses his artistic talent to describe his views on life. That same year, he released his second book, Tentang, which is a series of essays about his life experiences, from his embarrassment undergoing the public circumcision procedure as a young boy, to his time working with Pakistani immigrants picking strawberries in the United Kingdom while studying there. Recently, Saharil launched the third book in the series, Dentang, where he dabbles in fiction. Here, he ‘tells’ three love stories using innovative techniques. The book follows the main character, Dentang, who recounts the love story between his two best friends, Salinda and Haikal, which is filled with uncertainty and jealousy. Their complex romance makes Dentang reminisce about the love between his parents – where his mother is dying of a terminal illness and his father tries his best to cope with the situation. Dentang also describes a famous legend from Sulawesi called Ringkitan and Bear about a woman named Ringkitan who takes pity on a bear and marries the creature. Later, the bear turns out to be a handsome man in a bear skin. Ringkitan’s sisters become jealous of their relationship and plan to sabotage their marriage. 
“I love exploring the technical part of [storytelling],” Saharil says. “I wanted to tell these three stories as if they are one.” 
When asked if Haikal and Salinda’s relationship is based on his own personal love story, he replies with a laugh: “It is not my love story. Of course, many bits and pieces from the book are based on true incidents, [a] mixture of events collected over the years. 
“I believe many authors who write about things that happened to them tell richer and more realistic stories. 
"Everything that we are experiencing, someone else has experienced before. Life is like a repetitive song.” 
Saharil has also started his own online bookshop, Kedai Saharil, as a way to sell his books. 
“A publisher has many books under his label to promote and sell,” he says. 
“He cannot give special attention to your book alone. So a writer should take it upon himself to promote [his own books].” 
Saharil adds that writing can be a tiring affair and can leave him exhausted. 
“I am jealous of authors who can sit and write for hours, transferring their thoughts on to the computer,” he says. 
“I can’t do what they do. I go to the gym quite frequently and let me tell you, for me, working out the muscles is less tiring than working out the mind. 
“I have (a self-labelled) OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and I am obsessed with producing perfectly crafted words in every sentence. The words have to flow like a stream. 
“So I write and rewrite every sentence, and read and reread them multiple times to ensure that they flow perfectly. 
“Maybe that is why I am not that prolific. My output is one or two books every five years. I tend to get author fatigue.” 
When asked if there is any author, living or dead, whom he would like to meet, he says: “[At the] top of my mind now is Tun Sri Lanang. 
“He’s worked with the two Johor kings and three Acehnese rulers in his life. He witnessed most of the important historical events in Aceh at that time. 
“I would imagine his life is like [that of] a character from the Games of Thrones. “I would like to ask him which part of his writings are the absolute truth, and which parts are embellishments.” 

Saharil with his books 

A Hipster's Choice

Today theSun published an interview I have done with Wan Nor Azriq where he picks ten books that every Malaysian Hipster should read 

Headline : A Hipster's Choice 
By Bissme S

THE WORD ‘hipster’ is one of the more recent additions to the modern vocabulary, but even though most people can readily identify what a hipster looks like, it’s difficult to pinpoint what being a hipster actually means. 
As author Wan Nor Azriq, 29, says: “If you can define a hipster, that means you not a hipster. Hipsters do not like labels and definitions.” 
However, this award-winning author who penned DUBLIN, Boneka Rusia Guido, Dompet Kulit Buaya, 86 and Soneta Roda Basikal among others, agrees to help give a better idea of who a hipster is. 
“Basically, a hipster fits the subculture that consists mainly of youngsters in their 20s and 30s living in urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, and Johor Baru,” he says. 
“Hipsters are very eco-friendly. They prefer walking or riding a bicycle to driving a car because it’s healthier. They listen to obscure independent bands. They hang out at fancy and eccentric cafes. “They read underground poetry, and above all else, they value authenticity, creativity, and freedom. 
“Whatever is seen as mainstream and fashionable, they go against it. They strive for individualism.” 
Here are Wan Nor’s list of 10 books that he says hipsters should read:
 
1) Aku Tak Peduli   (Melayu Minimalis) 

This book describes the hipster culture as well as the other subcultures that exist in Kuala Lumpur. The writer also talks about the Malaysian independent music scene. The way he writes is like he is having a conversation with you.










2)Awek Chuck Taylor   (Nami Cob Nobbler) 

This novel defined a generation of Malaysians the way J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye did for his generation in the United States. This book will definitely strike a chord with girls who dream of becoming a sophisticated and intelligent woman like Mira in the novel. The hero is not your typical hero. One can even say he is kind of a born loser. He also talks about his relationship with two girls who happen to be sisters.


3) Mat Som  (Lat) 

This graphic novel centres on about a youth from Tanjung Maim who settles in Kuala Lumpur. He hangs out with the ‘in’ crowd because he wants to be seen as intelligent and sophisticated. He gets interested in the literary scenes. 
You will [recognise] some well-known personalites such as poet Usman Awang and writer Latiff Mohidin in the comic sketches.”


4)Stereo Genmai  (Ridhwan Saidi) 

This novel is perfect for hardcore hipsters. The story never moves in a liner fashion. It is very fragmented, and centres on a man looking for his girlfriend who goes missing after watching a movie. The story very clearly depicts the power of cinemas and films. 









5)Tiga Titik   (Fandy Taher) 

The book is about a boy who runs away from home and wants to travel around the world on his bicycle. I think, in the heart of every true hipster, there is a strong desire to run away, not just from  his birthplace, but also from mainstream culture.  After you have finished reading Fandy’s inspiring novel, I guarantee you will pick up your bike and begin your journey into nature.

6) Catatan Latiff Mohidin   (Latiff Mohidin) 

Just like a true hipster, this book escapes any rigorous label you can put on it. [It’s] part journal, part aphorism, part poetry, and part literary criticism. He talks about the various topics under the sun – from life to literature. 




7)Tapai   (Hishamuddin Rais) 

I choose this book because I think Malaysian hipsters are unique in their strong appetite for local and exotic food. So Tapai is the best food guide book you will find on the market as it combines Hishamuddin’s sharp witty observations and colourful descriptions of the many dishes that feed our Malaysian taste buds. 







8) Kentang    (Saharil Hasrin Sanin) 

A blend of graphic humour and witty social critique, Saharil really knows how to entertain his readers while making them feel smart. A light read for hipsters who are too busy saving the world.




9)Kopi Lejen   (Various authors) 

Coffee is an important beverage for hipsters. This anthology feature three various short stories where the writers cleverly relate their personal experiences with coffee. 










10) Sajak-Sajak Saleh   (Salleh Ben Joned) 

Indeed, Malaysian poetry doesn’t get any more vulgar and rebellious than the poems of Salleh Ben Joned. This book will appeal to the anarchist hipsters and angry young poets out there.