Rendra intends to remain an independent artist

Rendra intends to remain an independent artist

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's leading poet, W.S. Rendra, who
turned 60 last week, said over the weekend he will stand strong
on his principle of remaining an independent artist.

Rendra said Saturday he will not accept any funds from
political parties, the government, the Armed Forces, or foreign
companies and organizations to finance his performances.

"I just want to be a free, honest and beautiful person just
like a charcoal maker I met years ago. I believe by refusing such
things I will be able to be that way," Rendra said.

The poet was responding to the question of whether he plans to
accept any offers from political parties to read his poems at
campaign rallies for the 1997 general election.

Rendra, who said that the charcoal maker convinced him to
become a poet, said that the public has supported him most of his
life and in return he vows loyalty to the public.

He said that during his career many people, most of them not
wealthy, have helped him to survive with financial assistance.

Eggs

"When I was being held at the Guntur military police detention
center, a woman, a total stranger to me, who knew of one of my
works, but not the title, sent me eggs every day," he said.

He said it has been difficult for him to reject the offers
made to him, but he pledged to stick to his principles.

"Sometimes I am tempted to take the offers. A company once
offered Rp 100 million (US$44,444) and a studio for a show, but I
asked God for the strength of will to refrain from taking it," he
said.

Rendra said he would like to perform on television to reach a
bigger audience, but that Indonesian TV stations are reluctant to
produce such programs.

Rendra plans to celebrate his birthday with the public by
reading some of his epic poetry and ballads. The readings,
sponsored by Gatra weekly magazine, will take place on Nov. 16
and Nov. 17 at the Taman Ismail Marzuki art center.

Rendra said that the two-hour shows are his way of tracing the
journey of his life, his adventures and the myths which have
influenced his life.

"I always imagine the myths when I write something," he said,
citing his ballad Terbunuhnya Atmokarpo. (The Death of
Atmokarpo).

"I have not yet decided how many epics and ballads I will read
in the shows, but I will make sure the readings take no more than
two hours," he said. "I wouldn't want to bore the audience."
(yns)