Lampung poet champions literary appreciation<\/p>\n
Among his fellow poets and cultural community, Iswadi Pratama
\nis known as lurah, the chief, or pengayom, the protector, of
\nLampung literature.<\/p>\n
For almost 15 years, Iswadi, 34, has been working in the area
\nof arts and culture.<\/p>\n
As part of his efforts to promote Lampung literature, Iswadi
\nhas visited many regions in this country, from cities in Sumatra
\nthrough those in Java and Bali, and co-founded Teater Satu (The
\nOne Theater) in Lampung. He has also raised awareness among the
\npeople of Lampung on the importance of arts and culture in
\ncivilization through poetry readings and theater performances.<\/p>\n
A poet in his own right, his play Nostalgia Sebuah Kota
\n(Nostalgia of a City) won the 2003 Best Script Award from the
\nJakarta Arts Council.<\/p>\n
In the past month, he was involved in the Utan Kayu
\nInternational Literary Biennale as the Lampung coordinator and as
\na participant. And just recently, he was one of several Lampung
\npoets who performed at the Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center (TIM)
\non the invitation of the Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ).<\/p>\n
Below is an excerpt from an interview with The Jakarta Post's
\nKurniawan Hari before Iswadi's TIM performance on Sept. 15.<\/p>\n
Question: Could you tell us a little about the poetry reading
\nat TIM?<\/p>\n
Answer: The event, organized by the Jakarta Arts Council, is
\ntitled Cakrawala Sastra (Horizon of Literature).<\/p>\n
Lampung is among the provinces invited to perform. The other
\nprovinces are South Kalimantan, South Sumatra and Central Java.<\/p>\n
For this event, Lampung has sent eight poets that represent
\nfour generations.<\/p>\n
Of course, this event is important for us. Not only because it
\ntakes place in Jakarta, but rather because it will drive more
\npeople in Lampung to love literature.<\/p>\n
The number of poets in Lampung has grown quite large. (And)
\ntheir creations are seen in the mass media.<\/p>\n
Perhaps, they have not yet represented the condition of
\nliterature in Lampung, but at the very least, I see that Lampung
\nhas given color to arts and literature at the national level.<\/p>\n
Would you like to tell us about your first interaction with
\narts and literature?<\/p>\n
Personally, I started to have an intense interaction with the
\narts in 1989 through art lessons at school and through theaters.<\/p>\n
From there, I began to engage in arts more intimately and
\nclosely, and I have been immersed in the arts and have taken part
\nin theater (activities) since 1990.<\/p>\n
I've never stopped working.<\/p>\n
How about the cultural community in Lampung?<\/p>\n
There are some theaters in Lampung. We also learn other art
\nworks, not only theater or drama.<\/p>\n
At university campuses, almost everyday there are informal
\ndiscussions about artistic works.<\/p>\n
Some cultural groups in Lampung are Teater Satu, Komunitas
\nBerkat Yakin and UKM Universitas Lampung.<\/p>\n
These three communities are very active in disseminating
\ninformation about literary works in Bandar Lampung. In addition,
\nactivities coordinated by the Lampung Arts Council or Taman
\nBudaya builds the (literary) climate through workshops and
\ndiscussions.<\/p>\n
I am now in Teater Satu. I co-founded Teater Satu in 1996, and
\nam now its artistic director. I represent the third generation
\n(of artists).<\/p>\n
What theme or object has inspired artists in Lampung?<\/p>\n
In today's Lampung, people mostly keep in touch with events at
\nthe national level, mostly events in Jakarta because of its
\ngeographic location.<\/p>\n
Events or discourses in Jakarta affect Lampung the most.<\/p>\n
In Lampung, literature is seen as a subject that falls under
\nart, and people study it because they are interested in (art). It
\nis not because of a political history of suffering.<\/p>\n
Creating artistic work in Lampung is natural. That is why most
\nof the poems in Lampung do not touch political matters, but
\nrather focus on contemplative and abstract themes.<\/p>\n
Many of our poets are also activists who often join street
\nrallies protesting government policies.<\/p>\n
When do Lampung poets join such rallies?<\/p>\n
I think that any time there is a political crisis, they will.
\nThe first crucial incidents before the downfall of Soeharto (in
\n1998) took place in Lampung.<\/p>\n
One of the victims was a member of our circle.<\/p>\n
How do you view previous generations of Lampung artists when
\ncompared to the present ones?<\/p>\n
Looking at the career of the elder generation in Lampung, the
\ntechnology available then was not as good.<\/p>\n
At that time, the artists worked for the sake of romanticism.
\nArt was seen as marganing urip (a field of work) without
\ndiscourse. Discourses did not take place back then.<\/p>\n
In contrast, the following generations have engaged in
\ndiscourse, (and) the rapid development in technology has
\ncontributed to discourse. People have Internet access.<\/p>\n
In line with technological developments, the Lampung-based
\nRumah Panggung cultural community has established a relationship
\nwith Teater Utan Kayu in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
I believe technology is also relevant to the growth of
\nliterature in Lampung.<\/p>\n
What do you see for the future of literature in Lampung?<\/p>\n
It seems that the younger generation today still shows a
\npassionate and enthusiastic love for art and literature.<\/p>\n
Of course, (the future of Lampung literature) is inseparable
\nfrom the support of Komunitas Utan Kayu (KUK) the DKJ, (as) both
\ngroups often invite us to take part in various literary and
\nartistic events.<\/p>\n
This kind of support encourages even more artists and drive
\nthem to produce more creations.<\/p>\n
You devote yourself to art and literature. How about family?<\/p>\n
I see (raising) a family as a normal thing. For me, art is
\nanother thing.<\/p>\n
We all know that it is difficult to make a living from
\ntheater. That is why I support my family through another job.<\/p>\n
I have to work, whatever it is. I don't think that my family
\nis a hindrance to my activities in art and literature.<\/p>\n
My (5-year-old) daughter Rarai is familiar with everyone in
\nthe cultural community -- my colleagues. My wife Imas (Sobariah)
\nworks in theater. But for me, she is a "competitor" because she
\nalso performs in the theater.<\/p>\n
Today, I am performing in Jakarta, while at the same time, my
\nwife is staging a play in Lombok.<\/p>\n
What has been the most memorable event for you?<\/p>\n
The (Utan Kayu) international biennale is very memorable. Of
\ncourse, it has raised more enthusiasm among us. Through such an
\nevent, we can get to know other creations from other countries.
\nThat is important. We can measure how far we have been left
\nbehind. We can make a comparison.<\/p>\n
How about your poetry reading at Taman Ismail Marzuki. Do you
\nhave any messages or hopes?<\/p>\n
This is an opportunity for our fellow Lampung artists to
\nperform in front of the Jakarta public. This event should be
\naccompanied with a discussion, so that we can also bring
\nsomething home.<\/p>",
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