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Haresh Sharma

ハレシュ・シャルマ

Haresh Sharma

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1965-01-01 （Malaya (now Malaysia)）
Nationality
Singaporean, Malaysian (born)
Languages
English
Residence History
Singapore

Career

Occupations
playwright, scriptwriter, author, lyricist
Active Years
1988-
Affiliations
The Necessary Stage (resident playwright)
Influenced By
Alvin Tan, Robert Yeo
Influenced
Younger generation of Singaporean playwrights

Education

Tanjong Katong Secondary School
Country: Singapore
Temasek Junior College
Country: Singapore
National University of Singapore
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (English Language and Literature) / English Language and Literature
Degree: BA
Period: ～1990
Year of Graduation: 1990
Country: Singapore
Majored in English Language and Literature. Won the NUS–Shell short play competition in 1988.
University of Birmingham
Playwriting
Degree: MA
Period: 1993–1994
Year of Graduation: 1994
Country: United Kingdom
MA in Playwriting (on a Shell–NAC Scholarship).

Awards

Singapore Literature Prize
1993
Work: Still Building
Category: Merit
Organization: Singapore Literature Prize Committee
Result: Merit
Young Artist Award
1997
Category: 演劇
Organization: National Arts Council (Singapore)
Result: 受賞
S.E.A. Write Award
2014
Organization: Southeast Asian Writers Award
Result: 受賞
Cultural Medallion
2015
Organization: National Arts Council (Singapore)
Result: 受賞
British Council fellowship/grant
Organization: British Council
Result: 受領
United States Information Service fellowship/grant
Organization: United States Information Service
Result: 受領

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Off Centre

1993 Play / Drama

Explores people marginalised by society and issues around education; was selected as a literature text for Singapore 'N' and 'O' levels.

educationsocial marginalizationidentity

Still Building

1994 Play / Drama

A play dealing with urbanisation, family relationships and individual struggles. Awarded a Merit in the 1993 Singapore Literature Prize.

urbanisationfamilyindividual vs society

Fundamentally Happy

2006 Play / Drama

An ensemble piece that highlights mismatches in family and society and individual notions of happiness. Selected as one of the finest plays in 50 years by The Business Times.

happinessfamilysocial disconnection

Model Citizens

2010 Play / Drama

A work questioning citizenship, publicness and individuals' roles. The script has been published by Epigram Books.

citizenshippublic sphereresponsibility

Those Who Can't, Teach

1990 Play / Drama

Set in an educational context, this play mixes humour and critique to portray the realities and dilemmas of teachers and lecturers.

educationprofessional identitysatire

Best Of

2013 Play / Drama

A collection including several notable pieces; a published script collection of work that has had staged productions.

compendiumselected works

Eclipse

2008 Play / Drama

One of his internationally staged works, contrasting personal inner life with social circumstances.

inner lifesociety

Bibliography

  • Still Building (1994, EPB Publishers)
  • This Chord and Others (1999, Minerva Press)
  • Koan (2003, The Necessary Stage)
  • Lanterns (2003, The Necessary Stage)
  • Mardi Gras (2004, The Necessary Stage)
  • Off Centre (2006, The Necessary Stage; 2010, Ethos Books)
  • Fundamentally Happy (2006, The Necessary Stage)
  • Good People (2007, The Necessary Stage)
  • Shorts 1 (2010, The Necessary Stage)
  • Those Who Can't, Teach (2010, Epigram Books)
  • Trilogy (2010, The Necessary Stage)
  • 哈里斯·沙玛剧作选 (2010, Eight Directions Publishing)
  • Shorts 2 (2011, The Necessary Stage)
  • Model Citizens (2012, Epigram Books)
  • Plays for Schools (2012, The Necessary Stage)
  • Don't Forget to Remember Me (2013, The Necessary Stage)
  • Best Of (2014, The Necessary Stage)
  • Eclipse (2014, The Necessary Stage)

Adaptations

  • Eclipse has been staged in Scotland and other locations

Translations of Works

  • 哈里斯·沙玛剧作选 (Chinese edition, 2010)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
social realismdialogue-drivenblack humour
Recurring Motifs
social marginalizationeducation and youthidentityfamily disconnection

Legacy

Haresh Sharma is one of Singapore's leading playwrights, author of over 100 plays. He has received awards including the Singapore Literature Prize (Merit), S.E.A. Write Award and the Cultural Medallion, and as resident playwright of The Necessary Stage has had a significant impact on Singapore's theatre scene.

Archives

  • The Necessary Stage archives / company collection

In Popular Culture

  • Wrote lyrics for the withdrawn 2011 National Day Parade 'Fun Pack Song' (lyrics withdrawn after criticism)

Trivia

  • Born in Malaya (now Malaysia) and later naturalised as a Singaporean.
  • Resident playwright at The Necessary Stage since 1990.
  • Has written over 100 plays.
  • Awarded a Merit in the Singapore Literature Prize for 'Still Building' (1993).
  • Received the S.E.A. Write Award (2014) and the Cultural Medallion (2015).
  • Wrote lyrics for the controversial 2011 National Day Parade 'Fun Pack Song', which was withdrawn after criticism.