Biography

INRASARA – PHÚ TRẠM

Phú Trạm, pen name Inrasara, was born in a Cham village in Khánh Hòa Province. He worked at the Committee for Editing Cham Textbooks – Ninh Thuận, and at the Vietnam – Southeast Asia Research Center, University of Ho Chi Minh City.

He is a member of the Vietnam Writers’ Association, the Vietnam Association of Folklore and Arts, and the Vietnam Association of Literature and Arts of Ethnic Minorities.

He is the chief editor of Tagalau, a Cham journal of Creation – Collection – Research.

He has published 28 works on Cham culture and literature.

He has received 20 awards both in Vietnam and abroad.

In 2005, he was named “Cultural Figure of the Year” by VTV3, and was included in the list of 1@300 Vietnamese Figures of the 20th Century.

Personal details

  • Full name: Phú Trạm, pen name: Inrasara
  • Born: September 20, 1957, in Chakleng – Mỹ Nghiệp, Ninh Phước Commune, Khánh Hòa Province
  • 1969: Student at Pô-Klong High School, Ninh Thuận
  • 1977: Student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Pedagogy
  • 1978: Left school; began traveling, reading, and writing poetry
  • 1982: Researcher at the Committee for Editing Cham Textbooks – Ninh Thuận
  • 1986: Resigned; became a farmer, while traveling, researching, and writing poetry
  • 1992: Researcher at the Vietnam – Southeast Asia Research Center, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City
  • 1998: Freelance writer and researcher. Currently living in his native village Chakleng.

Current work: Researching Cham culture; writing poetry, prose, translations, and literary criticism.

Memberships

  • Vietnam Writers’ Association
  • Vietnam Folklore Association
  • Vietnam Association of Literature and Arts of Ethnic Minorities

WORKS

On Literature

  • Tháp nắng (Tower of Sunshine) – poetry & epic, Youth Publishing House, Hanoi, 1996; 2nd ed. Stage Publishing House, 2019
  • Sinh nhật cây xương rồng (Birthday of the Cactus) – bilingual Vietnamese–Cham poetry, Ethnic Culture Publishing House, Hanoi, 1997; 2nd ed. Writers’ Association Publishing House, 2018
  • Hành hương em (Pilgrimage to You) – poetry, Youth Publishing House, Ho Chi Minh City, 1999; 2nd ed. Stage Publishing House, 2019
  • Lễ Tẩy trần tháng Tư (The Purification Festival in April) – poetry & epic, Writers’ Association Publishing House, Hanoi, 2002; 2nd ed. Writers’ Association Publishing House, 2018
  • Inrasara – Poems for Children, Kim Đồng Publishing House, Hanoi, 2003
  • The Purification Festival in April, bilingual English–Vietnamese poetry, Literature & Arts Publishing House, Ho Chi Minh City, 2005; trans. Alec G. Schachner, reissued 2015
  • Chuyện 40 năm mới kể & 18 bài thơ tân hình thức (Stories Told After 40 Years & 18 New Formalist Poems), Writers’ Association Publishing House, Hanoi, 2006
  • Ở nơi ấy (There, in That Place) [poetry on contemporary issues], Tienve.org, 2012
  • Ariya kluw adei xa-ai – Poems of Three Brothers, Cham language poetry, Culture & Arts Publishing House, 2015
  • Chân dung Cát (Portrait of Sand) – novel, Writers’ Association Publishing House, Hanoi, 2006
  • Hàng mã kí ức (Paper Offerings of Memory) – novel, Literature Publishing House & Phương Nam Corp., Hanoi, 2011
  • Những cuộc đi & cái Nhà (Journeys & the House) – novel, Writers’ Association Publishing House & Phương Nam Books, 2015; reissued Writers’ Association Publishing House, 2019
  • Chưa đủ cô đơn cho sáng tạo (Not Lonely Enough for Creation) – essays & criticism, Literature & Arts Publishing House, Ho Chi Minh City, 2006
  • Song thoại với cái mới (Dialogues with the New) – essays, Writers’ Association Publishing House, Hanoi, 2008
  • Thơ Việt, hành trình chuyển hướng say (Vietnamese Poetry: A Journey of Passionate Shifts) – essays & criticism, Youth Publishing House, 2014
  • Nhập cuộc về hướng mở (Entering Toward Openness) – essays & criticism, Literature Publishing House, 2014
  • Thơ nữ trong hành trình cắt đuôi hậu tố ‘nữ’ (Women’s Poetry in the Journey to Drop the Suffix ‘Female’), Writers’ Association Publishing House, 2015
  • Văn chương tan rã (Disintegrating Literature), Lotus Media, USA, 2019
  • Thơ Việt, từ hiện đại đến hậu hiện đại (Vietnamese Poetry: From Modernism to Postmodernism), Lotus Media, USA, 2019

On Cham Cultural Studies

  • Cham Literature I – General Introduction
    • 1st ed. Ethnic Culture Publishing House, Hanoi, 1994
    • 2nd ed. Tri Thức Publishing House, Hanoi, 2012
    • 4th ed. Federation of Vietnamese Literature & Arts Associations & Writers’ Association Publishing House, 2020
  • Cham Folklore – Proverbs, Folk Songs, Riddles
    • 1st ed. Ethnic Culture Publishing House, Hanoi, 1995
    • 2nd ed. Ethnic Culture Publishing House, Hanoi, 2006
    • 3rd ed. Stage Publishing House, 2019
  • Cham Literature II – Epics: Collection & Research
    • 1st ed. Ethnic Culture Publishing House, Hanoi, 1996
    • 2nd ed. Literature & Arts Publishing House, Ho Chi Minh City, 2006
    • 3rd ed. Times Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011
  • Cham–Vietnamese Dictionary (co-author), Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi, 1995
  • Vietnamese–Cham Dictionary (co-author), Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi, 1996
  • Cham Culture and Society: Research & Dialogue – Essays
    • 1st ed. Ethnic Culture Publishing House, Hanoi, 1999
    • 2nd ed. Literature Publishing House, Hanoi, 2003
    • 3rd ed. Literature Publishing House, Hanoi, 2008
    • 4th ed. Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi, 2011
  • Teach Yourself Cham Language, Ethnic Culture Publishing House, Hanoi, 2003
  • Vietnamese–Cham School Dictionary (co-author), Education Publishing House, Hanoi, 2004
  • Cham Epic Akayet, Social Sciences Publishing House, Hanoi, 2009; 2nd ed. Culture & Information Publishing House, 2013
  • Modern Cham Literature – Poetry, Writers’ Association Publishing House, 2008
  • Đuốc không đốt không sáng (The Torch Unlit Cannot Shine), Kim Đồng Publishing House, 2009
  • Thả diều xứ nắng (Kites in the Land of Sunshine), Kim Đồng Publishing House, 2012
  • 4,650 Common Vietnamese–Cham Words, Culture & Arts Publishing House, 2014
  • Cham Wisdom, Tri Thức Publishing House, 2016; reprinted 2023
  • Chakleng, from Fragments of Memory, Tri Thức Publishing House, 2021

As Editor-in-Chief

  • Tagalau – Cham Anthology of Creation, Collection, and Research (15 volumes, 2000–2014)
  • Cham Literature Series (10 volumes – 4 volumes published)

Positions

  • Executive Committee Member, Vietnam Association of Literature & Arts of Ethnic Minorities; Head of Theory and Criticism Section (2005–2010)
  • Deputy Head, Ethnic Literature Department, Vietnam Writers’ Association (2000–2005 & 2006–2010); Vice Chairman, Poetry Council, Vietnam Writers’ Association (2010–2015); Chairman, Poetry Council, Vietnam Writers’ Association (2021–2026)
  • Member, Good Books Awards (Research), IRED Foundation (2012–2019)
  • Jury Member, Vanviet Literary Awards (Research & Criticism), since 2016

Awards

  • CHCPI–Sorbonne Award (France): Cham Literature I, 1995
  • Award of the National Assembly’s Council for Ethnic Minorities, 9th Legislature: Cham Literature II, 1996
  • Vietnam Writers’ Association Award: Tháp nắng (1997) & Lễ Tẩy trần tháng Tư (2003)
  • Vietnam Association of Literature & Arts of Ethnic Minorities Award: Sinh nhật cây xương rồng (1998), Cham Culture and Society (2003), Cham Proverbs – Folk Songs – Riddles (2006)
  • Best Poem Prize, Epoetry (Australia): “Ngụ ngôn của Đất” (The Fable of Earth, Inrasara) & “Love Poems” (Trần Thy Thiện Sa), 2004
  • Southeast Asian Writers Award (SEAWRITE): Lễ Tẩy trần tháng Tư, 2005
  • Vietnam Book Award: Vietnamese–Cham School Dictionary, 2006
  • Vietnam Folklore Association Award: Cham Epics, 2006
  • Tienve.org (Australia): Work of the Month, September 2006
  • Phan Châu Trinh Cultural Award – Research, 2009
  • Sông Hương Literary Magazine Prize, 2010
  • Prize of the Ethnic & Development Newspaper, 2010
  • Award of the Central Council for Literary and Artistic Theory & Criticism: Entering Toward Openness, 2014
  • Sông Lam Literary Magazine Prize, 2015
  • Vietnam Independent Writers’ Association Prize – Criticism, 2015

Titles & Honors

  • “Cultural Figure of the Year 2005,” VTV3
  • “Outstanding Artist 2005,” VTV1
  • Medal for the Cause of Vietnamese Literature and Arts, 2004 – Federation of Vietnamese Literature & Arts Associations
  • Medal “For the Younger Generation,” 2009 – Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union

Academic Theses and Studies on Inrasara’s Poetry and Prose

  • Trần Xuân Quỳnh, Inrasara’s Poetry, M.A. thesis in Vietnamese Literature, Dalat University, 2008.
  • Võ Thị Hạnh Thủy, The Artistic World of Inrasara’s Poetry, M.A. thesis in Modern Vietnamese Literature, Hanoi National University of Education, 2008.
  • Lê Thị Việt Hà, Inrasara’s Innovative Journey in Poetry, M.A. thesis in Literary Theory, Vinh University, 2009.
  • Trần Hoài Nam, Inrasara – From Concepts to Style, M.A. thesis in Literature, Hanoi National University of Education, 2010.
  • Nguyễn Thị Thủy, Artistic Features of Inrasara’s Poetry, M.A. thesis in Vietnamese Literature, Hue University of Education, 2010.
  • Nguyễn Thị Thanh Bình, The Novelistic Features in Inrasara’s Prose, M.A. thesis, Thai Nguyen University of Education, 2012.
  • Thân Thị Anh Trang, Cham Cultural Identity in Inrasara’s Poetry, M.A. thesis in Vietnamese Literature, Quy Nhon University, 2014.
  • Nguyễn Thị Minh Huệ, Postmodern Imprints in the Poetry of Hoàng Hưng and Inrasara, M.A. thesis in Vietnamese Literature, Hue University, 2014.
  • Nguyễn Thị Yến, Symbols in the Poetry of the Renovation Generation (with selected authors), M.A. thesis, Vinh University, 2018.
  • Chu Minh Anh Thơ, Inrasara’s Contributions to Literary Criticism, M.A. thesis, Vinh University, 2018.
  • Phạm Thị Diệu, Inrasara’s Prose from an Intercultural Perspective, M.A. thesis, Hue University of Education, 2020.
  • Hoàng Thị Mỹ Ngọc, Poetry Criticism of Mai Văn Phấn & Inrasara from a Stylistic Perspective, M.A. thesis, Hue University of Education, 2020.
  • Vũ Đình Trai, Symbols in Inrasara’s Poetry, M.A. thesis in Vietnamese Literature, Danang University of Education, 2023.
  • Trần Hoài Nam, Cham Cultural Symbols in Contemporary Cham Poetry (Inrasara and other Cham authors), M.A. thesis in Literary Theory, Hanoi National University of Education, 2017.

Other research:

  • Lê Thị Tuyết Lan & Nguyễn Thị Thu Hương, Exploring the Artistic World of Inrasara’s Poetry, Undergraduate Research, Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2008.
  • Nguyễn Thùy Dung, The Postmodern Spirit in Inrasara’s Poetry, B.A. thesis, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 2010.
  • Lưu Tấn Thành, The Artistic Style of Inrasara’s Poetry, Research Project, Van Hien University, Ho Chi Minh City, 2012.
  • Plus 32 additional undergraduate theses.

Anthologies Featuring Inrasara’s Works

  • Anthology of Ethnic and Mountainous Literature III, Education Publishing House, Hanoi, 1999.
  • Vietnamese Poetry of the 20th Century, Youth Publishing House, Hanoi, 1999.
  • Vietnamese Poetry 1975–2000, vol. II, Writers’ Association Publishing House, 2000.
  • 26 Contemporary Vietnamese Poets, Tan Thu Publishing, USA, 2002.
  • Today’s Poetry (with 13 Contemporary Vietnamese Poets), Dong Nai Publishing House, 2003.
  • Poetry of Ho Chi Minh City 1975–2005, Writers’ Association Publishing House, 2005.
  • Writers of Southeast Vietnam, Writers’ Association Publishing House, 2005.
  • Wordbridge – The Magazine of Literature and Literature in Translation, Issue 7, Autumn 2005, USA.
  • Blank Verse: An Anthology of Vietnamese New Formalism Poetry, USA, 2006.
  • Tien Ve Anthology 1, Australia, 2007.
  • Vietnamese Poetry: Exploration and Innovation 1975–2005, Writers’ Association Publishing House & Tri Tue Viet Culture Co., 2007.
  • Cotton & Paper, Labor Publishing House, Hanoi, 2010.
  • Poetry Narrates, Labor Publishing House, Hanoi, 2010.

Documentaries on Inrasara

General Programs

  • Cham Cultural Glimpses, produced by VTV2 and the Center for National Studies, 2005.
  • Spring Greeting 2006 – Outstanding Cultural & Integration Figures, VTV3, 2006.
  • Meeting Outstanding Artists of the Year, VTV1, 2006.
  • Directions of Ethnic Minority Literature & Arts, VTV1, 2006.
  • Cham Culture in Modern Architecture, HTV7, 2009.
  • Phan Chau Trinh Cultural Awards Ceremony, VTV1, 2010.
  • Cham Men in Contemporary Society, VTV1, 2010.
  • Inrasara on Cham Pottery & Towers, Vietnam News Agency TV, 2012.
  • Cham Brocade, HTV7, 2012.
  • Inrasara: Life and Works, Cham Cultural Festival in Ninh Thuan, 2012.

Exclusive Features

  • Inrasara: Searching for the Cham Shadow, HTV7, 2003.
  • Inrasara and Homeland of the Sun Towers, VTV3, 2005.
  • A Cham Poet Winning the SEA Write Award, VTV1, 2005.
  • Child of the Sun Towers, Lam Dong Television, 2006.
  • Child of Cham Towers, VTV1, 2006.
  • Inrasara: Between Tradition and Modernity, VTV3, 2006.
  • Morning Call, VTV1, 2007.
  • Inrasara, Cham Cultural Figure, HTV7, 2007.
  • Cham Kite Wings (with Inrahani), HTV7, 2007.
  • Conversation with Poet Inrasara, Binh Dinh Television, 2007.
  • Preserving Cham Culture, VTV3, 2008.
  • Cham Epics – Documentary, VTV1, 2009.
  • Creativity in the Context of Cham Culture, Spirit of Asia – Thai PBS, 2009.
  • Inrasara and the Phan Chau Trinh Cultural Award, VOV, 2010.
  • Cham Cultural Space, VOV, 2010.
  • The Man of Letters in Chakleng, VCT1, 2010.
  • Inrasara & Introduction of the Novel “Counterfeit Memories”, HTV7, 2011.
  • Inrasara: Life and Works, Cham Cultural Festival in Ninh Thuan, 2012.
  • Poetic Rendezvous, VOV, 2018.

International Features: Germany (2005), Thailand (2007), Philippines (2008), IFA Media Singapore (2025).