By Cheah Phaik Kin
What
is the use of telling you a story? You are part of a group of people who want
only entertainment; choose to read silly and semi-porno
stories in cheap magazines which do not hope to gain participation from readers
who are capable of using their brains.
That’s Uthaya Sankar SB giving an introduction to a story.
Outrageous, bold, blunt and confident, with a tinge of sarcasm and arrogance. That is Uthaya, a writer who does not fail to capture the attention of his audience with his outspokenness and, not to forget, provocative introductions.
Strong in his conviction to write for readers “who have brains”, Uthaya pointed out in a paper [title: Genius & Maru Malarchi] he presented at the Malaysian National Literary Seminar held in Universiti Sains Malaysia from November 7 to 8 that “there is a greater demand for ‘stupid’ writing than there is supply”.
“If I write ‘stupid’ literature, my works will definitely appeal to more readers,” he said, adding that he anyway prefers to write for the small “thinking” community rather than a mass of readers with low mentality.
“I dislike reading and writing works which try to teach the readers as if they are people who cannot think for themselves. I don’t want to insult the reader’s intelligence.”
His statement in the May 1997 issue of Dewan Sastera created a heated debate, especially the part that said:
I am confident that only people who know how to use their brains will read my works. So, I respect their mind and intellectuality. … Maybe it is true that not many people like my works. But I only need (at least) 10 readers with brains to make me continue writing! It is not difficult to find 10 people with brains, right?
He also holds proudly to the principle that his stories do not have endings, or solutions to questions.
“Writers are people who raise questions for readers to ponders,” he added.
– New Straits Times, 2 December 1998
(This statement also used as blurb for Sasterawan Pulau Cinta, USSB: 2001)