Suparto: Charting Surabaya history<\/p>\n
Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya<\/p>\n
Over three hours passed as Suparto Brata talked about the
\nhistory of Surabaya and the genesis of some of his novels at his
\nresidence in Rungkut, south of the East Java provincial capital.<\/p>\n
Listening to the stories of the Javanese novelist and
\nrecipient of the 2001 Rancage Sundanese literary award, the hours
\nseemed more like minutes.<\/p>\n
"I'm a native of Surabaya who saw what Surabaya was like in
\nthe period of struggle against colonialism," said Suparto, whose
\nname was included in the Five Thousand Personalities of the World
\npublished by the American Biographical Institute in 1998.<\/p>\n
Suparto Brata was born on Feb. 27, 1931, in Surabaya's Simpang
\nHospital, which is now the Surabaya Plaza shopping center. He
\nspends much of his time these days writing, reading and telling
\nstories, only sleeping for about five hours a day.<\/p>\n
"Fortunately, I'm in good health thanks to keeping active in
\nmy old age," he said. Despite his doctor's advice to get more
\nrest, Suparto, who retired in 1988 from Surabaya's municipal
\npublic relations office, continues to work.<\/p>\n
To stay healthy, he limits his cigarettes to just one a day.
\n"I was not a smoker until I started associated with artists. I
\nhad to smoke or I'd be considered less masculine."<\/p>\n
The book The Doomsday Conspiracy by Sidney Sheldon lay on a
\nnearby table with the corner of one of its pages folded down.
\nThis is just one of the hundreds of novels in his room-cum-study.<\/p>\n
There are also neatly arranged old books, a computer and
\nprinter, besides various detective stories like The Lodger by
\nBelloc Lowndes, The Egyptian Cross Mystery by Ellery Queen and
\nWhile the Patient Slept by Eberhart.<\/p>\n
"These books accompany me every day and inspire me to write,"
\nsaid the widower, whose Meurudu\/Aceh-born wife, Siti Ariyati,
\ndied in June 2002. Among his old books are novels left behind by
\nthe Dutch in Surabaya, who had to leave during the Japanese
\noccupation. He bought them at the city's flea market.<\/p>\n
One of his books, Saputangan Gambar Naga (Dragon-adorned
\nhandkerchief), has the history of Surabaya's founding as its
\nbackground. On May 31 in 1293, Raden Wijaya, the ruler of the
\nkingdom of Majapahit, defeated the Tar-Tar invaders.<\/p>\n
The book Free Surabaya by W. Meelhuijsen, a Dutch writer who
\nlived in Malang in 1928, also inspires Suparto. He said books
\nwere a source of knowledge, but many young people did not like to
\nread.<\/p>\n
He said if more people read, the country's human resources
\nwould be enhanced. "Sadly, only a small portion of the younger
\ngeneration is fond of reading. No wonder we are so far behind
\nother nations."<\/p>\n
Since 1958, Suparto Brata has written 117 novels and stories.
\nThey include Kremil, about the struggles of a prostitute, Trem, a
\nlove story, Gadis Tangsi, Saputangan Gambar Naga, Tak Ada Nasi
\nLain (No other rice), Si Gadis Datang (Here comes the girl),
\nPethite Nyai Blorong, Asmarani and November Abang (Red November).<\/p>\n
He also has written several articles about Surabaya, including
\nThe Birth of Surabaya, The Battle of November 10, 1945, East Java
\nPress History, The History of Brawijaya Military Commanders, Oh,
\nSurabaya and Surabaya, My Hometown.<\/p>\n
Some of his fiction, articles and analyses have been carried
\nin newspapers such as Kompas, Suara Rakyat, Penjebar Semangat,
\nSurabaya Post and Indonesia Raya, and magazines such as Aneka,
\nVista and Mimbar Indonesia. His writings have been bound together
\nin a book.<\/p>\n
Besides Surabaya, the other prominent subject of his writing
\nis the lives of women. "Many people say I'm a feminist writer,
\nbut the fact is that I've mostly written about the firm attitude
\nof women in facing a hard life."<\/p>\n
Such tales were inspired by his mother, Raden Ajeng
\nJembrawati.<\/p>\n
"While many women are independent, a great number of others
\nremain vulnerable," concluded Suparto, reaching for the novel by
\nSidney Sheldon to continue reading where he left off.<\/p>",
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