Singer Dewi has a way with the written word

By Lie Hua

JAKARTA (JP): Almost overnight singer Dewi Lestari has been catapulted to fame, but it did not come from her on-stage performances.

A member of the Rita-Sita-Dewi singing trio, she is now in the spotlight for her literary debut Supernova, written under her pen name Dee. Critics have hailed the novel as a benchmark in Indonesian contemporary fiction writing.

What is really new about Supernova? Taken simply, it is only a love story. This love story, however, is placed within a larger framework, in which two gay lovers, Dhimas and Ruben, are writing it as a vehicle for their scientific ideas.

The novel, what Dewi, 25, says is the first in a series, abounds with philosophical ideas about existence. The author, a political science graduate in international relations from Bandung-based Parahyangan Catholic University, also unhesitatingly introduces lofty ideas about science, modern physics in particular, through her characters.

Supernova is also interesting because it is written in lively language, the language of the young, the country's Generation X- ers. In terms of narrative structure, it is revolutionary as the writer freely inserts her ideas anywhere in the text. This gives a personal touch to the novel.

The following is an excerpt of an e-mail interview with Dewi.

Question: What prompted you to write Supernova?

Answer: Universal spirituality and science with a holistic paradigm have aroused my craving for science. I was suddenly encouraged to breathe life into the manuscript of "Knight, Princess and the Falling Star" (the original title, used as the subtitle of the book). I was then so eager to share this knowledge with many people and Supernova was my choice. One thing, though, I have been fond of writing since I was small.

What inspired you to choose Supernova as the title?

Supernova just crossed my mind, just like that. Later on, I found a similarity between the name and the concept I wanted to put in my novel. Supernova is the explosion of a star; it's 100 million times brighter than the usual illumination. In the context of the novel, Supernova means mind's explosion. I believe to reach the ultimate truth, we have to break free from our minds' limitations. Let the mind explode.

What influenced you in writing Supernova?

First of all, I almost never read novels. Some 80 percent of my reading material is nonfiction. In my writing, I have, actually, been considerably influenced by Japanese comics (The Glass Mask and Pop Corn), fairy tales and my own style in song- writing. I've read some Western novels, like Michael Crichton's Congo, for example, but hardly any Indonesian works.

Did you ever expect that your novel would receive such a warm welcome from the literary circles here?

Actually, I'm surprised. No ... shocked! It's not just the media exposure, but mostly about how people react and relate themselves to Supernova.

There are so many perspectives, so many points of view, it's like observing a miniature of the very complex map of humanity ... Praise and criticism are equally meaningful. It's the variety that astonishes me most.

Are you satisfied with Supernova's reception by the public?

Supernova is a series. I still have more materials to develop. ... There are many scientific frameworks. Later I think I will emphasize the spiritual aspect. .... I also realize that everyone's going to use different filters. So, I'm not surprised to see some people "get it" and that others just don't ...

What else can you say about the book from your own perspective?

Supernova, unlike what some people think, does not give solutions. It brings more questions, instead. My purpose is to encourage people to exploring deeper into themselves, instead of blaming the world for every misery ... I believe each one of us is responsible in shaping up the world, the society, and of course, our own individual lives. We can smoothen this process by minimizing our tendency toward prejudice and starting to question everything: dogmas, social values, religious oppression, etc.

I see everywhere how people have become so quick at showing reactions without knowing the basis.

It's sad to know most of the time we react to our previous action without even realizing it. It's like we painfully cry out that we have been stuck with a needle, get angry about it but, lo and behold, we realize later it's our own hand that did it.

Lack of self-knowledge is one of the sources of every catastrophe in this world. Maybe, just maybe, Supernova can be a reminder.

Are you a singer who also writes, or vice-versa?

For me, I need both of them equally. They are my survival kits, not merely professions. One day I may not be able to publish my album or books massively, but, inherently, I need to do both, no matter what, even if this is just for myself.