Poet and novelist Salma was on Friday awarded the Amudan Adigal Literary Award at a simple function in New College in the city. Ms Salma, who won the award for her contribution to Tamil literature that includes a collection of feminist poems, a novel and a few short stories, said her writings were mostly based on her own experiences. She said her experiences were not hers alone but that of each and every woman.

Recounting the grand event in Tiruchy years before when writer Imayam won the award, Salma said she had then wondered if she too would one day win such acclaim. While she had not been able to reach everyone, the writer said, she was satisfied that she had reached a number of people through her work.

Sahitya Akademi award winner and ADGP Thilagavathi, who spoke in praise of Salma’s path breaking poetry, drew attention to the fact that the writer had not even passed her SSLC. She said she recalled Mark Twain’s famous words: “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.” She said Salma was an example of someone who had despite her short time in school written poems and stories with considerable flair. Remarking that Salma’s poems were her favourite, Ms Thilagavathi spoke in praise of their radical content.

Former education minister Rm. Veerappan said he was impressed with Salma’s novel, Irantam Jamangalin Kathai. Veerappan, who heads the Kamban Trust, said the novel recorded the mannerisms and speaking manner of the Muslims in Salma’s part of the world.

Along with the award, the poet will get a cheque for Rs 10,000, which she donated to the Kalachuvadu Trust. Salma said she was pleased to receive the award for the year 2006. Great writers like Indira Parthasarathy and Imayam have also won the award, which was instituted in 1996.