Ordinary things brings Gus tf accolades<\/p>\n
Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, Padang, West Sumatra<\/p>\n
Poet and storyteller Gus tf Sakai says recognition isn't
\neverything, but when the 39-year-old was handed an award last
\nmonth -- which usually goes to a writer over the age of 40 -- he
\nwasn't about to knock it back.<\/p>\n
The Southeast Asian writers award, S.E.A Write, is awarded by
\nthe Kingdom of Thailand, usually to a writer who has reached the
\ntwilight of their career, or even penned the last of their work.<\/p>\n
\"I don't know whether (my age) is an indication of progress on
\nthe part of the selection committee, or a sign that there are no
\nother older writers that deserve the award,\" he told The Jakarta
\nPost at his residence in Payakumbuh, West Sumatra.<\/p>\n
He said the committee should not be swayed by nostalgia or
\nemotion, but award a writer based on their contribution to the
\nliterature of their time.<\/p>\n
Born on Aug. 13, 1965, Gus is the third writer from West
\nSumatra to receive the award, after A.A. Navis in 1992 and Wisran
\nHadi in 2000. Last year the award went to N.H. Dini, one of
\nIndonesia's most famous female writers.<\/p>\n
Gus tf Sakai, or Gustrafizal, first decided to be a writer in
\n1985. That was the year he moved to Padang, 124 kilometers away
\nfrom his birthplace, the small town of Payakumbuh.<\/p>\n
As his parents had difficulty funding his studies at the
\nSchool of Animal Husbandry, Andalas University, Padang, he
\nthought he would try to earn some money himself. The eldest of 10
\nsiblings, Gus started to write poems and short stories under
\nseveral pen names, and went on to publish them in Hai -- a
\nmagazine for teenagers published in Jakarta -- and also in
\nSinggalang, a daily published in Padang.<\/p>\n
Gus realized that he had talent as a sixth grader, when his
\nessay Usaha Kesehatan di Sekolahku (Health Efforts in My School)
\nwon first prize in a contest held by the municipal
\nadministration.<\/p>\n
Money was an obstacle that he believed he could overcome.<\/p>\n
\"I began to read and write intensively. I hoped, that way I
\ncould get what I wanted. In the end, I became very much attached
\nto writing,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Actually, Gus prefers writing poems to short stories as poetry
\nallows him greater freedom.<\/p>\n
He realizes, however, that poetry is hard to sell and writes
\nnovels and short stories as well, to supplement his income.<\/p>\n
\"That doesn't mean I write prose that's of a mediocre quality.
\nTo earn more, you also have to write well (regardless of the
\nliterary form),\" he said.<\/p>\n
If you make up your mind to live from writing, it is prudent
\nto make certain that your work is good, he added.<\/p>\n
For poetry, Gus received the Sih Award in 2002 for his poem,
\nSusi 2000 M. He has published a collection of poems titled
\nSangkar Daging (Cage of Meat, 1997) and will have another
\ncollection, Daging Akar (Meat Root) published soon.<\/p>\n
Three of Gus' novels have been published by Gramedia
\npublishing company. At first, he mostly wrote \"pop\" novels and
\nthose intended for teenagers. He has also won several prizes in
\nnovel and serial story writing contests held by teen and women's
\nmagazines.<\/p>\n
In 2000, his novel Tambo (A Meeting) was published and is now
\nbeing translated into English. In 2002 another novel, Tiga Cinta,
\nIbu (Three Loves, Mom) was published.<\/p>\n
In 2003, his novel titled Ular Keempat (The Fourth Snake) --
\nwhich is now in the process of being published -- won first
\nconsolation prize in a writing contest held by the Jakarta Arts
\nCouncil.<\/p>\n
His short stories have been included in Kompas national daily
\nsince 1999. Gus has published three short story collections,
\nIstana Ketirisan (Leaking Palace, 1996), Kemilau Cahaya dan
\nPerempuan Buta (Shining Light and a Blind Woman, 1999) and Laba-
\nlaba (Spider, 2003).<\/p>\n
Besides which, in 1998 the Jakarta Arts Council shortlisted
\ntwo of his stories for inclusion among the \"best short stories
\npublished in Indonesian dailies\".<\/p>\n
His short story collection, Kemilau Cahaya dan Perempuan Buta,
\npublished by Gramedia Pustaka Utama in 1999, received an academic
\nhonor from the Lontar Foundation in 2001, and from the National
\nLanguage Center in 2002.<\/p>\n
This year, he received the S.E.A Write Award based on one of
\nhis story collections. The panel of judges -- selected by the
\nNational Language Center -- chose the collection as it expressed
\nsimple and ordinary things, or made that which was ordinary seem
\nextraordinary.<\/p>\n
Early on in his career, he published under the name Gus tf,
\nfor poems, and Gus tf Sakai, for prose. \"Sakai\" was a name given
\nto him at Andalas University by his peers.<\/p>\n
\"Everything that I do as a poet is embodied in the personality
\nof Gus tf. Likewise, when I write prose, it is embodied in Gus tf
\nSakai. Today, this distinction is no longer necessary. But,
\nbecause I have used two names from the beginning, I appreciate
\nthe names as each carries with it its own achievements,\" he
\nnoted.<\/p>\n
Gus will receive the S.E.A. Award 2005 in Bangkok on Oct. 7
\nbut said that the award would not much affect his writing
\nactivities.<\/p>\n
The father of three is married to Zurniati and resides in
\nPayakumbuh, after moving back in 1996. He aims to write prose
\nthat is \"free from other realms\", and not burdened by
\nphilosophical, religious or scientific thought.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ordinary-things-brings-gus-tf-accolades-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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