Lit Spins: Recent Episodes
The Arts House
Radio plays, storytelling adventures, insightful conversations about books and culture, and Poetry with Music sessions. Here, you'll find everything that makes the heart of Singapore Literature. Powered by The Arts House.
Bani and Ila listens to poet and writer Suratman Markasan. As an artist and musician, Bani considers music as material and his projects revolve around human-machine intimacies through various forms of interfacing and interaction. Ila’s research centres on peripheral narratives surrounding identity, space, and histories that lie hidden, particularly looking at kinships with land and water bodies. She does art sometimes.
Bani and Ila listens to poet and writer Suratman Markasan. As an artist and musician, Bani considers music as material and his projects revolve around human-machine intimacies through various forms of interfacing and interaction. Ila’s research centres on peripheral narratives surrounding identity, space, and histories that lie hidden, particularly looking at kinships with land and water bodies. She does art sometimes.
Stephanie Chan listens to writer Catherine Lim. Stephanie is a Singaporean writer, performer, and producer whose first poetry collection, Roadkill for Beginners (Math Paper Press, 2019) explores growing up, good times in strange places and strange times in good places. In 2020, with the support of the National Arts Council, she co-created a short film based on poems from the collection called An Intermediate Guide to Roadkill. She has won national poetry slams in Singapore and the UK and has been invited to perform her work in thirteen countries. The founder of a poetry night called Spoke & Bird and the co-founder of a comedy night called Siao Char Bors Comedy, Stephanie is inspired by mud and Southeast Asian wildlife.
Stephanie Chan listens to writer Catherine Lim. Stephanie is a Singaporean writer, performer, and producer whose first poetry collection, Roadkill for Beginners (Math Paper Press, 2019) explores growing up, good times in strange places and strange times in good places. In 2020, with the support of the National Arts Council, she co-created a short film based on poems from the collection called An Intermediate Guide to Roadkill. She has won national poetry slams in Singapore and the UK and has been invited to perform her work in thirteen countries. The founder of a poetry night called Spoke & Bird and the co-founder of a comedy night called Siao Char Bors Comedy, Stephanie is inspired by mud and Southeast Asian wildlife.
Aaron Maniam listens to the poet Dr Lee Tzu Pheng. Aaron Maniam's debut poetry collection "Morning at Memory's Border" (2005) was shortlisted for the 2007 Singapore Literature Prize. "Second Persons" was published in 2018. He has mentored younger writers under the Creative Arts Programme (since 2004) and NAC's Mentor Access Project, and has twice judged manuscripts for SingLit Station's Poetry Bootcamp. He is a civil servant by profession.
Aaron Maniam listens to the poet Dr Lee Tzu Pheng. Aaron Maniam's debut poetry collection "Morning at Memory's Border" (2005) was shortlisted for the 2007 Singapore Literature Prize. "Second Persons" was published in 2018. He has mentored younger writers under the Creative Arts Programme (since 2004) and NAC's Mentor Access Project, and has twice judged manuscripts for SingLit Station's Poetry Bootcamp. He is a civil servant by profession.
Daryl Qilin Yam listens to the poet Dr Anne Lee Tzu Pheng.
Daryl Qilin Yam is a writer, editor and arts organiser from Singapore. He is the author of the novella Shantih Shantih Shantih (2021, Math Paper Press), and the novel Lovelier, Lonelier (2021, Epigram Books), a finalist of the 2021 Epigram Books Fiction Prize. He co-founded the literary charity Sing Lit Station. His short fiction and poetry have appeared in the publications such as the Berlin Quarterly, The Straits Times, Transnational Literature, and The Epigram Books Collection of Best New Singapore Short Stories anthology series. His first novel, Kappa Quartet (2016, Epigram Books), was selected by The Business Times as one of the best novels of 2016, and described by QLRS as “[breaking] new ground in Singaporean writing… a shimmering and poignant novel, an immensely sympathetic and humane exploration of our existential condition.”
Raffles Place Ragtime. A Short Story by Philip Jeyaratnam and Reflection by Lim Yu Beng. | This second edition of People, Places features another three acclaimed actors of our local stages - Erwin Shah, R. Chandran and Lim Yu Beng respond to three works of literature in three podcast episodes. Directed by Samantha Scott-Blackhall, the actors perform excerpts from the plays and Singapore Literature Prize-winning book, and narrate personal stories on the connections, resonances and impacts these words have on their individual lives. | Yu-Beng is a familiar face on stage and screen. He won Best Actor in 2005, Best Supporting Actor in 2004, and was in the Best Acting Ensemble in 2002 for Animal Farm, all for the Life! Theatre Awards. Film and television credits include Singapore Dreaming, Anna and the King, Kung Fu Killers, Solos, Identiti, Sephia, Firasat, Lion Mums and Triple 9. Theatre goers know him from shows like Lost Cinema, Another Country, Animal Farm, Members Only, The Lover and The Dumb Waiter, Bent, and Lear. He continues to explore new ground, and works extensively as an actor, director, writer, acting coach, lighting designer, fight choreographer and whatever it takes to get the show up.
This Is Where I Won't Be Alone. A Short Story by Inez Tan and Reflection by Erwin Shah Ismail. This second edition of People, Places features another three acclaimed actors of our local stages - Erwin Shah, R. Chandran and Lim Yu Beng respond to three works of literature in three podcast episodes. Directed by Samantha Scott-Blackhall, the actors perform excerpts from the plays and Singapore Literature Prize-winning book, and narrate personal stories on the connections, resonances and impacts these words have on their individual lives. | Erwin Shah Ismail graduated with a BA(Hons) in Acting at LASALLE College of the Arts in 2011. Today he is a stage and screen actor, singer, voice artist as well as stuntman with Action Horizons Stunts. Erwin has spent the last 10 years doing an array of work; performed in more than 50 professional stage productions including musicals in English, Malay and Mandarin. He has also appeared in over 20 different television series for local and international networks including AXN and HBO Asia, and voiced a few local cartoons and commercials. When not performing, he is a part-time lecturer at his alma mater.
Jennifer Anne Champion listens to the poet Robert Yeo.
Jennifer Anne Champion is a poet, archivist and educator. She was Singapore's poet-in-residence at the National Centre of Writing, Norwich, UK in 2021 where she worked on embroidered poetry works. Jennifer is the author of two collections of poetry - A History of Clocks (Redwheelbarrrow Books, 2015) and Caterwaul (Math Paper Press, 2016).
Jennifer Anne Champion listens to the poet Robert Yeo. | Jennifer Anne Champion is a poet, archivist and educator. She was Singapore's poet-in-residence at the National Centre of Writing, Norwich, UK in 2021 where she worked on embroidered poetry works. Jennifer is the author of two collections of poetry - A History of Clocks (Redwheelbarrrow Books, 2015) and Caterwaul (Math Paper Press, 2016).
Clara Chow listens to the playwright Kuo Pao Kun. Daryl Qilin Yam listens to the poet Lee Tzu Pheng. Jennifer Anne Champion listens to the writer Robert Yeo.
Clara Chow's publications include the story collections Dream Storeys (2016, Ethos) and Modern Myths (2018, Math Paper Press), travelogues New Orleans (2020, Hermit Press) and Caves (2021, Hermit Press), and the bilingual poetry collection 几首烂情诗/Lousy Love Poems (2021, Hermit Press, Math Paper Press). In 2020, Modern Myths was shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize.
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Hosted by Festival Director Jason Wee, CrossTalk is a brand-new podcast series on the art and life of writing across generations of writers. We will hear older writers come to life again through archival recordings as well as younger writers responding to them. These archival recordings are courtesy of the National Library Board and the National Archives Singapore.
Clara Chow listens to the playwright Kuo Pao Kun. Daryl Qilin Yam listens to the poet Lee Tzu Pheng. Jennifer Anne Champion listens to the writer Robert Yeo.
Clara Chow's publications include the story collections Dream Storeys (2016, Ethos) and Modern Myths (2018, Math Paper Press), travelogues New Orleans (2020, Hermit Press) and Caves (2021, Hermit Press), and the bilingual poetry collection 几首烂情诗/Lousy Love Poems (2021, Hermit Press, Math Paper Press). In 2020, Modern Myths was shortlisted for the Singapore Literature Prize.
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Hosted by Festival Director Jason Wee, CrossTalk is a brand-new podcast series on the art and life of writing across generations of writers. We will hear older writers come to life again through archival recordings as well as younger writers responding to them. These archival recordings are courtesy of the National Library Board and the National Archives Singapore.
Saving The Rainforests - Short Story by Claire Tham, Reflection by R Chandran. This second edition of People, Places features another three acclaimed actors of our local stages - Erwin Shah, R. Chandran and Lim Yu Beng respond to three works of literature in three podcast episodes. Directed by Samantha Scott-Blackhall, the actors perform excerpts from the plays and Singapore Literature Prize-winning book, and narrate personal stories on the connections, resonances and impacts these words have on their individual lives.
Textures2021 | Actress Siti K reflects on Nabilah Said's play "Inside Voices" as part of our Textures 2021 podcast "People, Places". Directed by Samantha Scott-Blackhall. Sound Design and Engineering by Lalit Kumar
Textures 2021 | Actress Janice Koh reflects on Dora Tan's short story "Seven Views of Redhill" as part of our Textures 2021 podcast "People, Places". Directed by Samantha Scott-Blackhall. Sound Design and Engineering by Lalit Kumar
Textures2021 | Actress Bridget Fernandez reflects on Melissa De Silva's book "‘Others’ Is Not a Race" as part of our Textures 2021 Podcast "People, Places". Directed by Samantha Scott-Blackhall. Sound Design and Engineering by Lalit Kumar.
Textures2021 "After You" - From After You by Cyril Wong (Math Paper Press, 2013) | Composition, Arrangement & Performance by Amanda Lee, Wilson Goh. Sound Engineering by Lalit Kumar
Textures "Good Laws and Good People" - From The other Merlion and Friends by Gwee Li Sui (Landmark Books, 2015) | Composition, Arrangement & Performance by Amanda Lee, Wilson Goh. Sound Engineering by Lalit Kumar
Textures2021 Excerpt from Kappa Quartet by Daryl Qilin Yam | Composition, Arrangement & Performance by Amanda Lee, Wilson Goh. Sound Engineering by Lalit Kumar
Textures2021 "The Visitor" - From The other Merlion and Friends by Gwee Li Sui (Landmark Books, 2015) | Composition, Arrangement & Performance by Amanda Lee, Wilson Goh. Sound Engineering by Lalit Kumar
**Note For Note: Universality Supreme Episode #5
Where the Rivers Meet by Tan E-Reng**
Music by Kiat; Performed by ArunDitha
**Note For Note: Universality Supreme Episode #6
Falcon by Esther Vincent Xueming**
Music by Mantravine; Performed by Shivram Gopinath
**Note For Note: Universality Supreme Episode #9
A Quiet Hum Upon Your Lips by Weish**
Music by Farhan Remy; Performed by Abby Simone
**Note For Note: Universality Supreme Episode #10
Keeping Tabs by Shivram Gopinath**
Music by Kiat; Performed by ArunDitha
**Note For Note: Universality Supreme Episode #7
The Mammoth in the Room by Charlene Shepherdson**
Music by Kiat; Performed by ArunDitha
**Note For Note: Universality Supreme Episode #8
Multilocation by ArunDitha**
Music by Mantravine; Performed by Shivram Gopinath
**Note For Note: Universality Supreme Episode #2
Show Me God by Subhas**
Music by Mantravine; Performed by Shivram Gopinath
**Note For Note: Universality Supreme Episode #1
Middle Ground by ArunDitha**
Music by Farhan Remy; Performed by Abby Simone
UNIVERSALITY SUPREME
We live in a time of division - of black and white, right and wrong, my opinion and your opinion. We live in a time of separation - of borders and walls, of isolation and lockdown. We live in a time of ambiguity - of visible and invisible - during which the future waits in the state of unknown. All that can be done is to move forward, bearing our brightest torch, shining and discovering the unlit places. When we finally are able to see that we are all part of this planet, of this cosmos; we will understand that universality is supreme.
Curated and produced by ArunDitha, we present to you Note for Note: Universality Supreme as part of our Poetry with Music series. In this edition, we will be going fully digital, encouraging everyone to drown yourselves in the melodic spoken word pieces at the comfort of your own homes.
**Note For Note: Universality Supreme Episode #3
Corridor by Theophilus Kwek**
Music by Kiat; Performed by ArunDitha
**Note For Note: Universality Supreme Episode #4
Each a Cut and Scythed Slab, Pressed for Time by Marylyn Tan**
Music by Farhan Remy; Performed by Abby Simone
I Want To Go Home tells the story of Mr Yasuo Takamatsu, who lost his wife to the tsunami during the Great East Japan earthquake. Since that fateful day, he has been diving in the sea every week searching for her, and his story is of hope, recovery and loss. Through this audio experience, immerse yourself in the moving story of Mr Takamatsu's love for his wife through his words and thoughts as well as Wesley's profound reflection on his journey uncovering the story.
I Want To Go Home tells the story of Mr Yasuo Takamatsu, who lost his wife to the tsunami during the Great East Japan earthquake. Since that fateful day, he has been diving in the sea every week searching for her, and his story is of hope, recovery and loss. Through this audio experience, immerse yourself in the moving story of Mr Takamatsu's love for his wife through his words and thoughts as well as Wesley's profound reflection on his journey uncovering the story.
I Want To Go Home tells the story of Mr Yasuo Takamatsu, who lost his wife to the tsunami during the Great East Japan earthquake. Since that fateful day, he has been diving in the sea every week searching for her, and his story is of hope, recovery and loss. Through this audio experience, immerse yourself in the moving story of Mr Takamatsu's love for his wife through his words and thoughts as well as Wesley's profound reflection on his journey uncovering the story.
序曲 Prologue + 岁末再读邱菽园：星洲才子，天南一柱 / Recollections of Poems by Khoo Seok Wan: Legacies and Creation / 钟韵宜 / Cheong Yun Yee
《月亮夜访星洲一一戴着白色的口罩,也遮盖不住欢悦的容颜》/ 王润华 / Visiting Singapore in a Moon-lit Night – White-masked, yet beaming / Wong Yoon Wah