JP\/20\/ISBEDY<\/p>\n
Isbedy, 'literary pope' of Lampung<\/p>\n
Oyos Saroso H.N.
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Bandarlampung<\/p>\n
No discussion about Indonesian modern literature in Lampung would
\nbe complete without touching upon Isbedy Stiawan ZS. The father
\nof five, with two grandchildren, is now undeniably Lampung's
\nliterary icon.<\/p>\n
He is the driving force for literary activities carried out by
\nthe new generation of Lampung writers. It is only apt, therefore,
\nthat noted Indonesian literary critic, the late HB Jassin, once
\ncalled him "the literary pope of Lampung".<\/p>\n
Unlike other regions in Sumatra, like West Sumatra, for
\nexample, where modern literary activities began in the 1920s,
\nsuch activities in Lampung generally did not begin until the
\n1970s following the emergence of young writers like Isbedy
\nStiawan, Asrori Malik Zulqornain, Iwan Nurdaya Djafar and Syaiful
\nIrba Tanpa.<\/p>\n
Of these four literary pioneers in Lampung, only Isbedy is
\nstill productive as a writer today. The other three, Asrori, Iwan
\nand Syaiful, are now working as civil servants, Isbedy is a full-
\ntime writer. He spent only a short time working as a civil
\nservant in the province's animal husbandry service.<\/p>\n
Aged 47 now, Isbedy strength as a writer is growing. In the
\npast three years, for example, he has produced a great number of
\nshort stories and poems and published them in many different mass
\nmedia.<\/p>\n
"When my two grandchildren were born and I stopped working as
\na journalist, my enthusiasm to write surged uncontrollably. I do
\nnot wait for inspiration to hit me. Instead, I actively look for
\ninspiration and create poetic moments," he said.<\/p>\n
Throughout 2004, for example, four of his books were
\npublished. These included, Bulan Rebah di Meja Diggers (The Moon
\nLies Down on Diggers Table), an anthology of short stories
\npublished by Beranda in August, and Dawai Kembali Berdenting
\n(Musical Instrument Strings Give the Twang Again), another
\nanthology of short stories, published in November by Logung
\nPustaka.<\/p>\n
Perempuan Sunyi (Women in Silence), another anthology of short
\nstories, was published by Gama Media in December, and Dongeng
\nSebelum Tidur (Bedside Tales), stories for children, was
\npublished by Beranda in September.<\/p>\n
The year 2005 has so far seen the publication of two of his
\ncollection of short stories, namely Selembut Angin Setajam
\nRanting (As Gentle as the Wind, As Sharp as the Twig, LP
\nPublishing House, April) and Seandainya Kau Jadi Ikan (If You
\nTurned into a Fish, Gramedia PustakaUtama, May), an anthology of
\nshort stories.<\/p>\n
His new collection of short stories, Hanya untuk Satu Nama
\n(Only for One Name, Bentang, Yogyakarta) will see the light of
\nday in June.<\/p>\n
As of now there are about 300 poems and 100 short stories to
\nhis credit. Aside from being published in nearly all print media
\npublications in Indonesia, his stories and poems have been
\npublished in five anthologies of his poetic works and dozens of
\nanthologies together with other poets' work.<\/p>\n
Some of his poems have been broadcast on German radio station
\nDeutsche Welle, performed as musicalized poems by poet Geof Fox
\nof Australia and performed in a theatrical stage in Lampung.<\/p>\n
"I will continue writing until my hand can no longer write and
\nmy mouth can no longer utter literary works. This will happen
\nwhen the cultural editors in the mass media and the publishers
\nreject my works.<\/p>\n
"As long as my works are acceptable, I will continue to write.
\nI live on writing. With my poems and short stories I feed my
\nfamily," he said.<\/p>\n
In the last four years, following his resignation as a
\njournalist, he has relied completely on writing as a means of
\nliving to feed his family. He is very disciplined over how he
\nmanages his time.<\/p>\n
"As a writer, I stick to a clear work schedule. Every day I
\nwrite between 7.30 a.m. and noon and between 7.30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
\nthe next morning. Once I'm at my computer, ideas come freely to
\nme. I don't plan the ending of my stories," he said.<\/p>\n
Although he spends most days writing, Isbedy still sets aside
\nsome time to meet his fellow writers and fans. Sometimes he
\npresents a paper at a seminar or gives a cultural address. At
\nother times he read poems and takes part in a protest rally to
\nthe provincial legislative assembly in an effort to persuade
\nprovincial legislators to pay more attention to budgetary
\nallocation for the poor.<\/p>\n
When the tsunami hit Aceh late last year, he and a number of
\nnon-governmental organizations pioneered the establishment of
\nLampung Ikhlas (Sincerity of Lampung), an association made up of
\nvarious non-governmental organizations and individuals, with the
\ncommon purpose of distributing relief aid and sending volunteers
\nto Aceh and North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
"I live in the community. The characters in my stories are
\ntaken from the community. It is impossible for me to avoid social
\nproblems and live in an ivory tower," he said, explaining why he
\nwas involved in nonliterary activities.<\/p>\n
Christian Heru Saputro, his friend and also a loyal reader of
\nhis works, has said that Isbedy is not choosy about the mass
\nmedia he sends his works to. "He sends his works to literary
\njournals and even women's tabloids and radio stations. That's why
\nhis works are popular not only among the literati but also
\nhousewives and high-school students," he said.<\/p>\n
Saputro also said that Isbedy's early poems contained a strong
\nsufistic element. In the years following reform, however, his
\nworks have centered more on social problems. The problems in his
\nstories are derived from daily social problems, too.<\/p>\n
"If you are to find his weaknesses, perhaps they are his
\nstubbornness and his refusal to compromise. Besides, sometimes he
\nis too strong when he lashes out at the regional administration.
\nAs a fellow member of the executive board of Lampung Arts
\nCouncil, I'm often worried that the provincial budget is the
\nsource of finance for our council," said Saputro.<\/p>\n
Isbedy began his work as a writer with hard work. In the late
\n1970s Isbedy tended his parent's cake stall and spent a lot of
\ntime reading there. Later, he recorded the experience in a story
\nand sent it to RRI Tanjungkarang (the local radio station), to be
\nbroadcast on the station's youth program.<\/p>\n
Although he was only a senior technical school graduate, young
\nIsbedy never stopped learning. He learned how to write poems and
\nshort stories by himself. After a drama rehearsal, for example,
\nhe would discuss literary matters with his friend. That way he
\nimproved his creativity as a writer.<\/p>\n
Although none of his five children has followed in his
\nfootsteps as a writer, they nevertheless appreciate works of
\nliterature.<\/p>\n
They often take things to read from his bookshelves.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp20isbedy-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }