Sapardi Djoko Damono
Encyclopedia
Sapardi Djoko Damono is an Indonesia
n poet
known for lyrical poems
, and who is widely regarded as the pioneer of lyrical poetry in Indonesia.
Sapardi began writing poetry while still in high school in Surakarta. He studied English literature at Gajah Mada University in Yogyakarta, and later completed his graduate studies in Indonesian literature. His first collection of poetry, DukuMu Abadi (Your Eternal Sorrow), was released in 1969. The focus of DukaMu Abadi is on the pain of the individual who questions existence, and unlike many of his literary peers of this time, Sapardi's poetry focused more on the human condition rather than revolutionary and social ideas. In 1974, he published Mata Pisau (Knife) and Akuarium (Aquarium). These were followed by Perahu Kertas (Paper Boat) and Sihir Hujan (Rain Spell), and in 1987 he received the ASEAN-sponsored SEA-Write Award for poetry. In 1987, he was one of several prominent Indonesian figures (Goenawan Mohamad
, Subagio Sastrowardoyo
, Umar Kayam
, and John H. McGlynn) involved in the establishment of the Lontar Foundation
. To mark the foundation's inauguration, a collection of Sapardi's poems, entitled "Suddenly the Night" was released. In 1998/1999, Sapardi wrote about the social turbulence resulting from the fall of the New Order regime. This resulted in the book Ayat-ayat Api (Verses of Fire), which received some negative criticism, largely due to the angry tone of the work which differed markedly from his normal style. His best known works include Hujan Bulan Juni (A June Rain) and Berjalan ke Barat di Waktu Pagi Hari
(Walking to the West in the Morning). Hujan Bulan Juni, one of his most popular works, was published in 1994. Containing 95 poems, including a selection of his poems from 1964 to 1992, the book has been described as a kind of "greatest hits" of Sapardi. Some of the poems included were written during a year spent at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu in the early 1970s.
Sapardi has also completed a number of translations of literary works from other countries into Indonesian. These include the literary works of T.S. Eliot, Khalil Gibran
and Jalaludin Rumi; his translation of Ernest Hemingway
’s The Old Man and the Sea
is considered among Indonesia’s best.
Sapardi's poems have also formed the inspiration behind several musical compositions, most notably by Indonesia’s international-acclaimed pianist Ananda Sukarlan
. Several singers have also released albums using his poetry: Hujan Bulan Juni (1990), Hujan Dalam Komposisi (Rain in Composition) (1990) Gadis Kecil (Little Girl) (2006) and Becoming Dew (2007). In the realm of film, Aku Ingin has been rearranged into a soundtrack by musician Dwiki Dharmawan for Garin Nugroho
’s 1991 film Cinta dalam Sepotong Roti (Love in A Slice of Bread).
Today, he is a professor at the University of Indonesia
. Damono's extensive and intensive involvement in the university has borne him the unofficial title 'Professor of Indonesian Poets'. He was once elected dean
of the faculty. His poetry continues to enjoy wide popular appeal. A poetry recital, arranged to celebrate his 70th birthday in March 2010, was packed out with people of all ages and from all walks of life, queuing to enter the venue.
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
known for lyrical poems
Lyric poetry
Lyric poetry is a genre of poetry that expresses personal and emotional feelings. In the ancient world, lyric poems were those which were sung to the lyre. Lyric poems do not have to rhyme, and today do not need to be set to music or a beat...
, and who is widely regarded as the pioneer of lyrical poetry in Indonesia.
Sapardi began writing poetry while still in high school in Surakarta. He studied English literature at Gajah Mada University in Yogyakarta, and later completed his graduate studies in Indonesian literature. His first collection of poetry, DukuMu Abadi (Your Eternal Sorrow), was released in 1969. The focus of DukaMu Abadi is on the pain of the individual who questions existence, and unlike many of his literary peers of this time, Sapardi's poetry focused more on the human condition rather than revolutionary and social ideas. In 1974, he published Mata Pisau (Knife) and Akuarium (Aquarium). These were followed by Perahu Kertas (Paper Boat) and Sihir Hujan (Rain Spell), and in 1987 he received the ASEAN-sponsored SEA-Write Award for poetry. In 1987, he was one of several prominent Indonesian figures (Goenawan Mohamad
Goenawan Mohamad
Goenawan Mohamad is a renowned Indonesian poet and man of letters.Goenawan Mohamad was born in Batang, Central Java. His early writings include Potret Seorang Penyair Muda Sebagai Si Malin Kundang and Seks, Sastra, Kita ,'"Kesusastraan dan Kekuasaan' Goenawan Mohamad (born 29 July 1941) is a...
, Subagio Sastrowardoyo
Subagio Sastrowardoyo
Subagio Sastrowardoyo was an Indonesian poet, short-story writer, essayist and literary critic. Born in Madiun, East Java, the Dutch East Indies , he was educated at Gadjah Mada University, Cornell University and Yale University...
, Umar Kayam
Umar Kayam
Umar Kayam was an Indonesian sociologist and writer born in Ngawi, East Java, on April 30, 1932 and died on March 16, 2002. He followed education in Hollands Inlands School Mangkunegoro, Surakarta, where his father also taught. After that, he continued his education to MULO, then continued the...
, and John H. McGlynn) involved in the establishment of the Lontar Foundation
Lontar Foundation
The Lontar Foundation, a not-for-profit organization based in Jakarta, Indonesia, was founded in 1987 by four Indonesian writers: Goenawan Mohamad, Sapardi Djoko Damono, Umar Kayam, and Subagio Sastrowardoyo and the American translator, John H...
. To mark the foundation's inauguration, a collection of Sapardi's poems, entitled "Suddenly the Night" was released. In 1998/1999, Sapardi wrote about the social turbulence resulting from the fall of the New Order regime. This resulted in the book Ayat-ayat Api (Verses of Fire), which received some negative criticism, largely due to the angry tone of the work which differed markedly from his normal style. His best known works include Hujan Bulan Juni (A June Rain) and Berjalan ke Barat di Waktu Pagi Hari
Berjalan ke Barat di Waktu Pagi Hari
Berjalan ke Barat di Waktu Pagi Hari is a poem by a famous Indonesian poet, Sapardi Djoko Damono. This poem is a part of the world's poem anthology.-Indonesian text:Berjalan ke Barat di Waktu Pagi Hari...
(Walking to the West in the Morning). Hujan Bulan Juni, one of his most popular works, was published in 1994. Containing 95 poems, including a selection of his poems from 1964 to 1992, the book has been described as a kind of "greatest hits" of Sapardi. Some of the poems included were written during a year spent at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu in the early 1970s.
Sapardi has also completed a number of translations of literary works from other countries into Indonesian. These include the literary works of T.S. Eliot, Khalil Gibran
Khalil Gibran
Khalil Gibran Jubrān Khalīl Jubrān,Jibrān Khalīl Jibrān, or Jibrān Xalīl Jibrān; Arabic , January 6, 1883 – April 10, 1931) also known as Kahlil Gibran, was a Lebanese American artist, poet, and writer...
and Jalaludin Rumi; his translation of Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Miller Hemingway was an American author and journalist. His economic and understated style had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction, while his life of adventure and his public image influenced later generations. Hemingway produced most of his work between the mid-1920s and the...
’s The Old Man and the Sea
The Old Man and the Sea
The Old Man and the Sea is a novel written by American author Ernest Hemingway in 1951 in Cuba, and published in 1952. It was the last major work of fiction to be produced by Hemingway and published in his lifetime. One of his most famous works, it centers upon Santiago, an aging fisherman who...
is considered among Indonesia’s best.
Sapardi's poems have also formed the inspiration behind several musical compositions, most notably by Indonesia’s international-acclaimed pianist Ananda Sukarlan
Ananda Sukarlan
-Background:He is the son of Sukarlan and Poppy Kumudastuti. He started his music lessons at the age of 5 from his older sister, Martani Widjajanti. After graduating from Kolese Kanisius in 1986, he continued to study in University of Hartford in Connecticut, under a scholarship from Petrof...
. Several singers have also released albums using his poetry: Hujan Bulan Juni (1990), Hujan Dalam Komposisi (Rain in Composition) (1990) Gadis Kecil (Little Girl) (2006) and Becoming Dew (2007). In the realm of film, Aku Ingin has been rearranged into a soundtrack by musician Dwiki Dharmawan for Garin Nugroho
Garin Nugroho
Garin Nugroho Riyanto , better known as Garin Nugroho, is an award-winning Indonesian film director.-Biography:Nugroho was born in Yogyakarta, Special Region of Yogyakarta on 6 June 1961. He was the fourth child of postal workers Soetjipto Amin and Mariah, who eventually had seven children...
’s 1991 film Cinta dalam Sepotong Roti (Love in A Slice of Bread).
Today, he is a professor at the University of Indonesia
University of Indonesia
The Universitas Indonesia, is a state, comprehensive world class university located in Depok, West Java and Salemba, Jakarta, Indonesia. Universitas Indonesia is the oldest tertiary-level educational institution in Indonesia...
. Damono's extensive and intensive involvement in the university has borne him the unofficial title 'Professor of Indonesian Poets'. He was once elected dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the faculty. His poetry continues to enjoy wide popular appeal. A poetry recital, arranged to celebrate his 70th birthday in March 2010, was packed out with people of all ages and from all walks of life, queuing to enter the venue.
Poetry
- Duku-Mu Abadi (Your Eternal Sorrow). Bandung: Jeihan, 1969
- Akuarium. Jakarta: Puisi Indonesia, 1974
- Mata Pisau (Blade). Jakarta: Balai Pustaka, 1974
- Perahu Kertas (Paper Boat). Jakarta, Balai Pustaka, 1983
- Sihir Hujan (Rain Doctor). Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 1983
- Kesusastraan Indonesia Modern: Beberapa Catatan, Jakarta: Gramedia, 1983
- Arloji, Jakarta
- H.B. Jassin 70 Tahun, Jakarta: Gramedia, 1987
- Suddenly the Night, Jakarta: Lontar Foundation, 1988
- Hujan Bulan Juni: Pilihan Sajak, Jakarta: Grasindo, 1994
- PolitikIdeologi dan Sastra Hibrida, Jakarta: Pabelan Jayakarta, 1999
- Ayat-Ayat Api, Jakarta: Pustaka Firdaus, 2000
- Arloji (Wristwatch), 2000
- Mata Jendela (The Window's Eye), 2001
- Ada Berita Apa Hari Ini, Den Sastro? (What's the News Today, Den Sastro?), 2002
- Before Dawn, 2005
Fiction
- Pengarang Telah Mati (The Author is Dead), 2001
- Membunuh Orang Gila (To Kill a Madman), 2004
Non-Fiction
- Sosiologi Sastra: Sebuah pengantar ringkas (A Brief Introduction to the Sociology of Literature), 1977
- Sastra Indonesia Modern: Beberapa Catatan (Modern Indonesian Literature: Scattered Notes), 1982
- Politik, Ideologi dan Sastra Hibrida (Politics, Ideology and Hybrid Literature), 1999
- Sihir Rendra: Permainan Makna (Rendra the Magician: The Play of Meaning), 1999
- Priayi Abangan (The Lapsed Bourgeois),2000
- Puisi Indonesia Sebelum Kemerdekaan (Indonesian Poetry Before Independence), 2004
- Jejak Realisme dalam Sastra Indonesia (Traces of Realism in Indonesian Literature), 2005