Guess What? Hamsad Rangkuti

Guess What? Hamsad Rangkuti

Hamsad Rangkuti, a leading Indonesian short story writer and chief editor of Horison art magazine, is happy now. He and Ikranegara, a dramatist and editor at the same magazine, will journey this month to Mecca on a Haj pilgrimage sponsored by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Every year the ministry sponsors several artists for the pilgrimage.

"I have long wished to go, but can not afford it on my own," says Hamsad.

Hamsad hopes to return from the Holy Land with a clean heart and mind, with lots of inspiration for short stories.

"I hope to write about ten stories on religious experiences when I return," he said.

Thus far, the 52 year old man has written more than 200 short stories, 25 of which have been collected in two books, entitled Lukisan Perkawinan (Painting of Marriage) and Cemara (Pine tree).

Two of his short stories have been translated into English. One, called Pagar (Fence), has been published in five publications in and outside Indonesia, including The Jakarta Post.

"I have received Rp 1 million in total from the five publications," he happily said. (jsk)