Page turners in 2001's literary scene

Lie Hua, Contributor, Jakarta

The country's literary arena was shaken in 2001 by the appearance of Supernova, a novel written by a real newcomer, Dee (Dewi Lestari).

This breakthrough work fostered an unusually rich literary debate. But it was not the only happening during the year.

Writers, including a crop of first-timers, do not seem to be daunted by the protracted economic and political crisis gripping the country.

World-famous Pramoedya Ananta Toer came out this year with two books -- Cerita dari Digoel (Tales from Digoel) which he edited, and Perawan Remaja dalam Cengkeraman Militer (Girls in the military's grip), his account of a group of Indonesians forced to become comfort women by the Japanese occupation forces. This account, based on data collected while he was exiled on Buru Island, shows great literary flair and reads like a novel of sorts.

This year also saw the publication of some of Pramoedya's works in English translation: Tales from Djakarta, It's Not an All-Night Fair and The King, the Witch and the Priest (or Calon Arang). These translated works will surely make him more accessible to foreign readers.

An epic novel of sorts -- in terms of geographical setting, particularly -- was also released: Perang dan Kembang (War and Flowers) by Asahan Alham. Dwelling on the period spanning the late 1960s to the early 1980s, this novel, which is partly autobiographical, graphically describes for readers what life was like in Vietnam and later in China during those years. Asahan -- formerly Asahan Aidit, youngest brother of slain Indonesian communist leader, DN Aidit -- lived through this period himself.

The year also saw the release of works by noted writers exploring unfamiliar genres. Well-known poets Sutardji Calzoum Bachri and Sapardi Djoko Damono each published collections of short stories, entitled respectively Hujan Menulis Ayam (Rain Writing Chicken) and Pengarang Telah Mati (The Author is Dead).

In the hands of both Sutardji, the self-styled president of Indonesian poetry, and Sapardi, a highly skilled lyricist, the stories read more like long poems. However, their attempts to write in a different genre deserve praise.

Another fresh addition was The Rite of the Bali Aga by Sitor Situmorang. This is his first collection of poems, originally written in English. Here, as in his usually lyrical poems, Sitor shows his skill in bringing together English words to form harmonious strings of verses.

At least two noted poets saw the publication of their complete works: Goenawan Mohamad with his Sajak-Sajak Lengkap 1961-2001 (Complete Poems 1961-2001) and Toto Sudarto Bachtiar with his Suara, Etsa, Desah (Voice, Etches, Sighing). Complete works allow readers to observe the literary development and achievements of a writer.

Writers have benefited from the increasingly widespread use of the Internet in this country. An anthology of cyber poems called Graffiti Gratitude has been published, containing works by new and established poets, including foreigners writing in English. Obviously the world, even in literature, is becoming increasingly borderless. Just try any search engine and look for sites on Indonesian literature. There are a few that may interest you.

It was also during this year that a number of Indonesian literary works were published in English translation. Apart from Pram's works, we could also enjoy Kill the Radio, a collection of poems by Dorothea Rosa Herliany, The Magician, a collection of short stories by Bakdi Soemanto and Beautiful Eyes, a compilation of the best short stories published in Kompas.

Amid the threat of national disintegration, Indonesian writers of Chinese origin, some of them writing in Chinese and Indonesian, have continued to make their presence felt. In cooperation with the Indonesian Literature Committee (KSI), in November 2001 they launched verse collections by two Chinese Indonesian writers, Jeanne L. Yap and Mingfang. Translated into Indonesian by Wilson Tjandinegara, these poems introduced a wider reading audience to what Chinese Indonesian writers were feeling and experiencing.

Also worthy of mention were the tireless efforts to popularize literature under the sponsorship of the country's only literary magazine, Horison. The program included a series of visits to schools and universities to acquaint students with writers, and the release of a book, Dari Fansuri ke Handayani (From Fansuri to Handayani), a collection of literary pieces from both past and present.

A number of other books representing all literary genres, particularly short stories, saw the light of day during 2001, including Larung, the sequel to the phenomenal Saman.

Newspapers like Media Indonesia, Kompas and Republika still feature a regular literary page. The Jakarta Post also deserves praise for regularly publishing Indonesian short stories in its Sunday edition.

In addition to Horison there are two other magazines offering literature buffs fresh articles, stories and poems. They are Kalam (Pen) and Media Kerja Budaya (Cultural Work Medium). Like poems? Then Puisi (Poetry) magazine may interest you.

Last but not least, we have Di Bawah Langit tak Berbintang (Under a starless sky) by Utuy Tatang Sontani, one of Indonesia's most important playwrights, victimized after the bloody 1965 coup allegedly involving the Indonesian Communist Party. Utuy died in self-imposed exile in Moscow. This book is an account of how he began writing and how he spent his years of exile in China and Russia.