Lampung poet champions literary appreciation

Among his fellow poets and cultural community, Iswadi Pratama is known as lurah, the chief, or pengayom, the protector, of Lampung literature.

For almost 15 years, Iswadi, 34, has been working in the area of arts and culture.

As part of his efforts to promote Lampung literature, Iswadi has visited many regions in this country, from cities in Sumatra through those in Java and Bali, and co-founded Teater Satu (The One Theater) in Lampung. He has also raised awareness among the people of Lampung on the importance of arts and culture in civilization through poetry readings and theater performances.

A poet in his own right, his play Nostalgia Sebuah Kota (Nostalgia of a City) won the 2003 Best Script Award from the Jakarta Arts Council.

In the past month, he was involved in the Utan Kayu International Literary Biennale as the Lampung coordinator and as a participant. And just recently, he was one of several Lampung poets who performed at the Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center (TIM) on the invitation of the Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ).

Below is an excerpt from an interview with The Jakarta Post's Kurniawan Hari before Iswadi's TIM performance on Sept. 15.

Question: Could you tell us a little about the poetry reading at TIM?

Answer: The event, organized by the Jakarta Arts Council, is titled Cakrawala Sastra (Horizon of Literature).

Lampung is among the provinces invited to perform. The other provinces are South Kalimantan, South Sumatra and Central Java.

For this event, Lampung has sent eight poets that represent four generations.

Of course, this event is important for us. Not only because it takes place in Jakarta, but rather because it will drive more people in Lampung to love literature.

The number of poets in Lampung has grown quite large. (And) their creations are seen in the mass media.

Perhaps, they have not yet represented the condition of literature in Lampung, but at the very least, I see that Lampung has given color to arts and literature at the national level.

Would you like to tell us about your first interaction with arts and literature?

Personally, I started to have an intense interaction with the arts in 1989 through art lessons at school and through theaters.

From there, I began to engage in arts more intimately and closely, and I have been immersed in the arts and have taken part in theater (activities) since 1990.

I've never stopped working.

How about the cultural community in Lampung?

There are some theaters in Lampung. We also learn other art works, not only theater or drama.

At university campuses, almost everyday there are informal discussions about artistic works.

Some cultural groups in Lampung are Teater Satu, Komunitas Berkat Yakin and UKM Universitas Lampung.

These three communities are very active in disseminating information about literary works in Bandar Lampung. In addition, activities coordinated by the Lampung Arts Council or Taman Budaya builds the (literary) climate through workshops and discussions.

I am now in Teater Satu. I co-founded Teater Satu in 1996, and am now its artistic director. I represent the third generation (of artists).

What theme or object has inspired artists in Lampung?

In today's Lampung, people mostly keep in touch with events at the national level, mostly events in Jakarta because of its geographic location.

Events or discourses in Jakarta affect Lampung the most.

In Lampung, literature is seen as a subject that falls under art, and people study it because they are interested in (art). It is not because of a political history of suffering.

Creating artistic work in Lampung is natural. That is why most of the poems in Lampung do not touch political matters, but rather focus on contemplative and abstract themes.

Many of our poets are also activists who often join street rallies protesting government policies.

When do Lampung poets join such rallies?

I think that any time there is a political crisis, they will. The first crucial incidents before the downfall of Soeharto (in 1998) took place in Lampung.

One of the victims was a member of our circle.

How do you view previous generations of Lampung artists when compared to the present ones?

Looking at the career of the elder generation in Lampung, the technology available then was not as good.

At that time, the artists worked for the sake of romanticism. Art was seen as marganing urip (a field of work) without discourse. Discourses did not take place back then.

In contrast, the following generations have engaged in discourse, (and) the rapid development in technology has contributed to discourse. People have Internet access.

In line with technological developments, the Lampung-based Rumah Panggung cultural community has established a relationship with Teater Utan Kayu in Jakarta.

I believe technology is also relevant to the growth of literature in Lampung.

What do you see for the future of literature in Lampung?

It seems that the younger generation today still shows a passionate and enthusiastic love for art and literature.

Of course, (the future of Lampung literature) is inseparable from the support of Komunitas Utan Kayu (KUK) the DKJ, (as) both groups often invite us to take part in various literary and artistic events.

This kind of support encourages even more artists and drive them to produce more creations.

You devote yourself to art and literature. How about family?

I see (raising) a family as a normal thing. For me, art is another thing.

We all know that it is difficult to make a living from theater. That is why I support my family through another job.

I have to work, whatever it is. I don't think that my family is a hindrance to my activities in art and literature.

My (5-year-old) daughter Rarai is familiar with everyone in the cultural community -- my colleagues. My wife Imas (Sobariah) works in theater. But for me, she is a "competitor" because she also performs in the theater.

Today, I am performing in Jakarta, while at the same time, my wife is staging a play in Lombok.

What has been the most memorable event for you?

The (Utan Kayu) international biennale is very memorable. Of course, it has raised more enthusiasm among us. Through such an event, we can get to know other creations from other countries. That is important. We can measure how far we have been left behind. We can make a comparison.

How about your poetry reading at Taman Ismail Marzuki. Do you have any messages or hopes?

This is an opportunity for our fellow Lampung artists to perform in front of the Jakarta public. This event should be accompanied with a discussion, so that we can also bring something home.