Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Literary Experience
Whatsapp
Address Sg
Address Aus
Others
Personal Information
References
Timeline
Generic

Kavitha Karumbayeeram

Singapore,Singapore

Summary

Knowledgeable journalist/translator/editor/ with twenty years of experience in the media, communication, arts and education industries, including two years of lecturing/tutoring in a world-class tertiary institute. Has an enthusiastic and collaborative work attitude and is eager to mentor younger people. A highly proficient general and literary translator between English and Tamil. Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills with a flexible schedule and strong work ethic.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

EXECUTIVE SUB-EDITOR (PRINT/DIGITAL)

TAMIL MURASU
04.2021 - 03.2023
  • Translated local and international news from English into Tamil for Tamil Murasu’s print and digital platforms
  • Initiated and coordinated digital reporting coverage for special and community events such as Year-End Round-Up Stories and Pongal celebrations
  • Initiated and coordinated Tamil Murasu’s pilot podcasts which attracted more than 3,000 to 4,000 listeners per episode
  • Collaborated with reporting desk to initiate several unique and award-winning stories for digital and print platforms
  • Edited digital and print news articles by journalists for accuracy, flow and grammar
  • Vetted and edited Tamil Murasu’s distinct features like the Sunday Feature and Youth Page
  • Laid out and designed articles and pictures into visually appealing print pages.
  • Provided concise and constructive editorial feedback to reporters to improve article and story writing.

TRANSLATOR/EDITOR

SELF-EMPLOYED
03.2020 - 04.2021
  • Undertook English-to-Tamil translation and vetting of public communication and media programs for government agencies such as the National Arts Council as well as organizations such as SPH and Mediacorp
  • Advised the National Arts Council as its Strategic Consultant (Literary Arts: Tamil) on strategic projects and other matters pertaining to Tamil Literature in Singapore from April to Dec 2020
  • Handled structural editing of children’s stories, rhymes and songs created for Elipuli’s (renamed Nool Monsters) Tamil Language Festival in Dec 2020, a path-breaking and a well-received digital literary project aimed at children aged 5 and below.

SENIOR MANAGER (LITERARY ARTS)

NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL
02.2016 - 02.2020
  • Formulated mid and long-term strategies to promote and grow the Tamil Literature and Literary Translation sub-sectors in Singapore
  • Developed and executed high-profile projects such as the first dedicated Tamil creative writing residency in the world, promotion of Singapore literature in international book fairs, as well as programs to train literary translators and creative writers in Tamil
  • Provided expertise in Tamil to the Council through translating and vetting the organization’s official public communications material assessing the merit of manuscripts, dramas and writers as well as assessing the merit of manuscripts, dramas and writers
  • Designed Tamil literary discussions and conferences at Singapore Writers Festival 2016 – 2019
  • Managed grants administration for more than 200 literary events and publications.
  • Established strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring long-term partnerships and collaborations.

SENIOR PRODUCER

MEDIACORP PTE LTD, TAMIL NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS
11.2008 - 02.2016
  • Managed the Tamil television news desk’s editorial calendar and collaborated with reporters and producers as Assignments Editor from 2010 to 2015
  • Reviewed scripts and made changes to improve wording, flow or interest levels, consistently producing news stories of high quality.
  • Wrote, vetted and edited news stories on digital, television and radio platforms, while maintaining accuracy in language, facts and flow
  • Mentored a team of young journalists and provided training in the reporting, writing, editing and production of news stories
  • Led the planning and production of Tamil news-bulletins including the Special News Bulletins broadcast during General Elections 2015
  • Conceptualized, produced and scripted the inaugural season of Puthiya Arangam, a current affairs talk show on Vasantham television channel
  • Adapted Channel NewsAsia documentaries in Tamil for Vasantham by scripting and overseeing dubbing and post-production work
  • Reported important national events including General Elections 2011 and Presidential Elections 2011 and issues of interest to the Indian community.

LECTURER (SCHOOL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES)

NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC
09.2006 - 08.2008
  • Taught modules such as Corporate Communication and Social Psychology to more than 200 students per year from various academic disciplines
  • Developed creative and interactive teaching material, focusing on social psychology, media, branding and research methods
  • Experience in marking and moderating student papers as well as recording and checking marks, to ensure robustness and parity as a lecturer and a member of the Departmental Examinations Committee.
  • Collaborated with faculty and staff to create meaningful learning experiences.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER

SINGAPORE INDIAN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (SINDA)
09.2005 - 06.2006
  • Boosted media coverage of events and programs by ethnic self-help organization, SINDA, by 25% in English and Tamil media
  • Developed brand media relations strategies that bolstered community awareness and knowledge.
  • Developed content and coordinated production of SINDA’s TV and Radio programs.

BROADCAST JOURNALIST

MEDIACORP RADIO, 938LIVE
05.2002 - 09.2005


  • Covered official international visits by Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Sri Lanka in January 2005 and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to New Delhi in 2003
  • Edited local and international news for news bulletins in English and Tamil
  • Reported on local events and produced current affairs programs in both languages.
  • Drafted news headlines for broadcasting to capture listeners with clear and condensed writing.
  • Edited, proofread and fact-checked content for accuracy.

JOURNALIST

TAMIL MURASU
04.1999 - 05.2002
  • Pioneered the weekly Youth Page in Singapore’s only Tamil newspaper, Tamil Murasu, in 2000 and wrote around 150 news articles and social commentaries
  • Covered the daily’s Politics, Community and Education beats and established contacts in government/community organizations to create stories of high interest to readers
  • Undertook sub-editing duties, through writing and editing international news stories, ensuring factual and linguistic accuracy as well as managing design and layout of pages.

Education

Master of Creative Industries and Master of Media and Communications -

Macquarie University
Sydney, NSW
01.2025

Masters of Social Sciences (Applied Sociology) -

National University of Singapore
Singapore
01.2002

Bachelor of Arts Degree (English Language and Political Science) -

National University of Singapore
Singapore
01.1997

Skills

  • Translation (General)
  • Translation (Literary)
  • Research proficiency
  • Structural Editing
  • Video Production
  • Editing and proofreading
  • Critical Analysis
  • Copy Editing
  • Keen eye for detail
  • Interviewing skills
  • Event and Story Coverage
  • Media Production
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Policy drafting
  • Content Development
  • Originality and Creativity
  • Content Development
  • Media Production
  • Team Collaboration
  • Video Editing
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Policy drafting

Literary Experience

  • Co-editor of ‘Nagarmanam, (Marshall Cavendish International Asia, 2017), a Tamil fiction anthology published in conjunction with the inaugural #BuySingLit initiative to promote Singapore literature in four official languages.
  • Edited translations of ‘Kannadi Thundu’ by Indrajith and ‘Veedu’ by Latha, for ‘Reading series in support of Read! Singapore 2011’ published by the National Library Board., Co-Translator: ‘Children of Darkness’ (Vallinam Publications, Malaysia, 2016).
  • Co-Translator of ‘The Goddess in the Living Room’ (Epigram Books Singapore, 2014), a short-story collection in Tamil by award-winning Singapore writer Latha (Epigram Books, 2014). Assisted the author in its editing to preserve cultural nuances.
  • Contributor: ‘Sangmamam (excerpt)’ by Murugadiyan, in ‘Contour, A Lyric Cartography of Singapore’ (Pagesetters Services, Singapore, 2019).
  • Contributor: ‘The Visitor’ by KTM Iqbal in Words Without Borders online journal (Oct 2016).
  • Contributor: ‘The Singapore River’ by Latha, Straits Times (9 Aug 2009).
  • Translator (excerpts): ‘From an Old Rubbish Bin’ by Suriyarethna and ‘That One Day’ by Kamaladevi Aravindhan, featured in Fiction Singapore 2014, published by NAC.
  • Author of the short story Oli Kodugal (Streaks of Light) in ‘Akkarai Pachai’ (Greener Pastures), an anthology of Singapore Tamil short stories (Aganazhigai, India, 2017).
  • Researched, wrote and presented the conference paper, 'New Trends and New Paths in Singapore Tamil Literature (1990-2010)” at the 1st World Tamil Writers Conference, Singapore, in 2011.

Whatsapp

+65 94579014

Address Sg

Block 334 Hougang Avenue 5, Singapore, 530334

Address Aus

G02, 161 Epping Road, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, 2113, Australia

Others

  • Part‐time Radio Presenter in Tamil radio station Oli 96.8FM and Voice Talent in commercials and educational CD‐ROMs from 1999 – 2005.
  • Co-produced and co-presented Puthayal, a popular entertainment program on Oli 96.8FM that analyzed literary and linguistic content in Tamil film songs, in 2004.

Personal Information

Nationality: Singapore Citizen

References

Available on Request

Timeline

EXECUTIVE SUB-EDITOR (PRINT/DIGITAL)

TAMIL MURASU
04.2021 - 03.2023

TRANSLATOR/EDITOR

SELF-EMPLOYED
03.2020 - 04.2021

SENIOR MANAGER (LITERARY ARTS)

NATIONAL ARTS COUNCIL
02.2016 - 02.2020

SENIOR PRODUCER

MEDIACORP PTE LTD, TAMIL NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS
11.2008 - 02.2016

LECTURER (SCHOOL OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES)

NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC
09.2006 - 08.2008

PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER

SINGAPORE INDIAN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (SINDA)
09.2005 - 06.2006

BROADCAST JOURNALIST

MEDIACORP RADIO, 938LIVE
05.2002 - 09.2005

JOURNALIST

TAMIL MURASU
04.1999 - 05.2002

Master of Creative Industries and Master of Media and Communications -

Macquarie University

Masters of Social Sciences (Applied Sociology) -

National University of Singapore

Bachelor of Arts Degree (English Language and Political Science) -

National University of Singapore
Kavitha Karumbayeeram