Lembaga Kebudajaan Rakjat
Encyclopedia
The Lembaga Kebudajaan Rakjat (EYD Lembaga Kebudayaan Rakyat, often abbreviated Lekra; meaning Institute of People's Culture) was a literary and social movement associated with the Indonesian Communist Party. Founded in 1950, Lekra pushed for artists and writers to follow the doctrine of socialist realism
. Increasingly vocal against non-Lekra members, the group rallied against the Manifes Kebudayaan (Cultural Manifesto), eventually leading to President Sukarno
banning it. After the 30 September Movement
, Lekra was banned together with the communist party.
In 1956, Lekra released another Mukamidah, based on socialist realism, which called for art to promote social progress and reflect social realities, instead of exploring the human psyche and emotions. Lekra urged artists to mingle with the people (turun ke bawah) to better understand the human condition.
Lekra held its first national conference in Surakarta
in 1959, which counted President Sukarno
among the attendees.
Beginning in 1962, Lekra became increasingly vocal against those it considered to be against the people's movement, including author and religious leader Haji Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah
and documentarian HB Jassin
. Those criticized by Lekra, including Amrullah and Jassin, went on to sign the Manifes Kebudayaan, or Cultural Manifesto, in 1963 as a response; after Lekra campaigned against the manifesto, Sukarno's government banned it in 1964, and ostracized its signatories.
By 1963, Lekra claimed a total of 100,000 members spread throughout 200 branches. During this period, it came under closer scrutiny by the Indonesian National Armed Forces. After the failed 30 September Movement
coup, popularly believed to have been promoted by the Communist Party, and the mass killings that followed, Sukarno's replacement Suharto and his New Order
government banned Lekra together with the other communist-associated organizations.
. However, Lekra-influenced poetry became increasingly propagandist
. Most works published were poems and short stories, with novels being much rarer.
and Pramoedya Ananta Toer
. But Lekra's openly vocal stance against non-left-leaning writers, described as being similar to witch hunting, caused lasting animosity and bitterness between left and rightist writers, which has at times bordered on vilification. Taufiq Ismail, one of the signatories of the Manifesto Kebudayaan and a fierce critic of Lekra, is described by literary scholar Michael Bodden as having used a "highly dubious interpretation" of a Lekra member's poetry to prove that Lekra had pre-knowledge of the 30 September Movement
, an attempt to overthrow Sukarno's government. Bodden adds that critic Ikranegara dismissed Lekra's entire body of work in his history of Indonesian theatre, instead focusing on their "anti-humanism".
A minority of writers, including Keith Foulcher of the University of Sydney
and Hank Meier, have attempted to analyze Lekra's styles and influences more objectively. This view is also becoming more common with younger Indonesian critics.
Socialist realism
Socialist realism is a style of realistic art which was developed in the Soviet Union and became a dominant style in other communist countries. Socialist realism is a teleologically-oriented style having its purpose the furtherance of the goals of socialism and communism...
. Increasingly vocal against non-Lekra members, the group rallied against the Manifes Kebudayaan (Cultural Manifesto), eventually leading to President Sukarno
Sukarno
Sukarno, born Kusno Sosrodihardjo was the first President of Indonesia.Sukarno was the leader of his country's struggle for independence from the Netherlands and was Indonesia's first President from 1945 to 1967...
banning it. After the 30 September Movement
30 September Movement
The Thirtieth of September Movement ) was a self-proclaimed organization of Indonesian National Armed Forces members who, in the early hours of 1 October 1965, assassinated six Indonesian Army generals in an abortive coup d'état. Later that morning, the organization declared that it was in control...
, Lekra was banned together with the communist party.
History
Lekra was founded in August 1950 as a response to the socio-nationalist Gelanggang Movement, with A.S. Dharma as its first secretary general. It published the Mukamidah, meaning "introduction", as a manifest calling for young people, especially artists and writers, to assist in establishing a people's democratic republic.In 1956, Lekra released another Mukamidah, based on socialist realism, which called for art to promote social progress and reflect social realities, instead of exploring the human psyche and emotions. Lekra urged artists to mingle with the people (turun ke bawah) to better understand the human condition.
Lekra held its first national conference in Surakarta
Surakarta
Surakarta, also called Solo or Sala, is a city in Central Java, Indonesia of more than 520,061 people with a population density of 11,811.5 people/km2. The 44 km2 city adjoins Karanganyar Regency and Boyolali Regency to the north, Karanganyar Regency and Sukoharjo Regency to the east and...
in 1959, which counted President Sukarno
Sukarno
Sukarno, born Kusno Sosrodihardjo was the first President of Indonesia.Sukarno was the leader of his country's struggle for independence from the Netherlands and was Indonesia's first President from 1945 to 1967...
among the attendees.
Beginning in 1962, Lekra became increasingly vocal against those it considered to be against the people's movement, including author and religious leader Haji Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah
Hamka
Haji Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah, known as Hamka was a prominent Indonesian author, ulema and politician. His father, syekh Abdul Karim Amrullah, known as Haji Rasul, led and inspired the reform movement in Sumatra upon his arrival from the holy land Mecca in 1906...
and documentarian HB Jassin
HB Jassin
Hans Bague Jassin , better known as HB Jassin, was an Indonesian literary critic, documentarian, and professor. Born in Gorontalo to a bibliophilic petroleum company employee, Jassin began reading while still in elementary school, later writing published reviews before finishing high school...
. Those criticized by Lekra, including Amrullah and Jassin, went on to sign the Manifes Kebudayaan, or Cultural Manifesto, in 1963 as a response; after Lekra campaigned against the manifesto, Sukarno's government banned it in 1964, and ostracized its signatories.
By 1963, Lekra claimed a total of 100,000 members spread throughout 200 branches. During this period, it came under closer scrutiny by the Indonesian National Armed Forces. After the failed 30 September Movement
30 September Movement
The Thirtieth of September Movement ) was a self-proclaimed organization of Indonesian National Armed Forces members who, in the early hours of 1 October 1965, assassinated six Indonesian Army generals in an abortive coup d'état. Later that morning, the organization declared that it was in control...
coup, popularly believed to have been promoted by the Communist Party, and the mass killings that followed, Sukarno's replacement Suharto and his New Order
New Order (Indonesia)
The New Order is the term coined by former Indonesian President Suharto to characterize his regime as he came to power in 1966. Suharto used this term to contrast his rule with that of his predecessor, Sukarno...
government banned Lekra together with the other communist-associated organizations.
Style
Lekra-influenced prose writers were generally realisticRealism
Realism, Realist or Realistic are terms that describe any manifestation of philosophical realism, the belief that reality exists independently of observers, whether in philosophy itself or in the applied arts and sciences. In this broad sense it is frequently contrasted with Idealism.Realism in the...
. However, Lekra-influenced poetry became increasingly propagandist
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
. Most works published were poems and short stories, with novels being much rarer.
Legacy
Lekra was generally more successful in attracting artists than writers, influencing among others AffandiAffandi
Affandi was born in Cirebon, West Java, as the son of R. Koesoema, who was a surveyor at a local sugar factory. Affandi finished his upper secondary school in Jakarta, but he forsook his study for the desire to become an artist. Affandi taught himself how to paint since 1934...
and Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Pramoedya Ananta Toer was an Indonesian author of novels, short stories, essays, polemic and histories of his homeland and its people...
. But Lekra's openly vocal stance against non-left-leaning writers, described as being similar to witch hunting, caused lasting animosity and bitterness between left and rightist writers, which has at times bordered on vilification. Taufiq Ismail, one of the signatories of the Manifesto Kebudayaan and a fierce critic of Lekra, is described by literary scholar Michael Bodden as having used a "highly dubious interpretation" of a Lekra member's poetry to prove that Lekra had pre-knowledge of the 30 September Movement
30 September Movement
The Thirtieth of September Movement ) was a self-proclaimed organization of Indonesian National Armed Forces members who, in the early hours of 1 October 1965, assassinated six Indonesian Army generals in an abortive coup d'état. Later that morning, the organization declared that it was in control...
, an attempt to overthrow Sukarno's government. Bodden adds that critic Ikranegara dismissed Lekra's entire body of work in his history of Indonesian theatre, instead focusing on their "anti-humanism".
A minority of writers, including Keith Foulcher of the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
and Hank Meier, have attempted to analyze Lekra's styles and influences more objectively. This view is also becoming more common with younger Indonesian critics.