Name Cecil Rajendra | Role Poet | |
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Books Songs for the unsung ..., Shrapnel, Silence and Sand |
Cecil rajendra
Cecil Rajendra (born 1941) is a Malaysian poet and lawyer. His poems have been published in more than 50 countries and translated into several languages.
Contents
- Cecil rajendra
- Cecil rajendra culture futures
- Early life and education
- Career
- Recognition
- Poetry
- Books
- References

Cecil rajendra culture futures
Early life and education

Born in Penang, Rajendra completed his education at St. Xavier's Institution (elementary), the University of Singapore (undergraduate), and Lincoln's Inn (legal, London). Though Rajendra's works are highly acclaimed internationally, within Malaysia his works are not well acknowledged.
Career

Rajendra, nicknamed 'The Lawyer-Poet', writes controversial poems that address human rights and environmental problems. As an attorney, his work has focused on helping poorer people who are in need of legal aid. He is a co-founder of Penang Legal Aid Centre (PLAC).

Working with photographer Ismail Hasim, Rajendra explored the backstreets of the island of Penang before the pair compiled and published Scent of an Island, a collection of poetry and black-and-white photographs of Penang.
In 1993 he had his passport taken from him by the Malaysian government, to prevent him from traveling. A Malaysian High Commission spokesman stated, "Mr Rajendra's passport was retained for his anti-logging activities, which it was felt could damage the country's image overseas".
Recognition
In 2005, Rajendra was awarded the first Malaysian Lifetime Humanitarian Award "in recognition of his pioneering legal aid work and exemplary poetry". Also in 2005 he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature, although it went to Harold Pinter.