Djenar Maesa Ayu
Encyclopedia
Djenar Maesa Ayu also known as Nay, is an Indonesian novelist, short story writer, actress, screenwriter, and filmmaker. She is also a mother and grandmother. Her work has variously been described as "provocative and lurid", and unique and brave.
Djenar's first book was a compilation of eleven short stories under the title Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet! (They say I'm a Monkey), written in 2001 and published the following year. In 2003, one year after it was published, Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet was one of ten books nominated for the Khatulisitwa Literary Award. The book has since been translated into English by Michael N. Garcia of Cornell University
, with the English translation being launched, along with Nayla, her first novel, during the 2005 Ubud
literary festival. Her second book, Jangan Main-Main (dengan Kelaminmu) (Don't Play (with Your Genitals)), also a compilation of eleven short stories, was nominated for the Khatulistiwa Literary Award in 2004. Nayla, was published in 2005, followed by Cerita Pendek Tentang Cerita Cinta Pendek (Short Stories about Short Stories), published in 2006.
Several of Djenar's short stories have been published in Indonesian newspapers, including Kompas
and Republika, as well as in magazines such as Cosmopolitan Indonesia
and Djakarta! Best Short Story awards have been awarded to two of her short stories, namely Menyusu Ayah (Breastfeeding Father) in 2002 and Waktu Nayla (Nayla's Time) in 2003. The latter work was compiled, together with Asmoro, in an anthology of Kompas selected short stories.
Djenar's short story collection 1 Perempuan, 14 Laki-laki (1 Woman, 14 Men), so called because it consists of 14 stories co-written with 14 men, was launched on her 38th birthday on 14 January 2011. The work was inspired by a successful collaboration Djenar had previously had with the author Agus Noor, which had resulted in the short story Kunang-kunang Dalam Bir (Fireflies in a Glass of Beer), which was published in Kompas. She is currently working on a new novel, Ranjang (Bed), the plot of which was inspired by stories from the Petualangan Celana Dalam (The Undergarment Adventures), a short story collection by another of her collaborators, Nugroho Suksmanto.
In 2008 Djenar debuted as film director with the release of the film version of Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet!
. This film is based on two short stories from the collection: Lintah (Leech) and Melukis Jendela (Painting the Window). Djenar also acts, and has appeared in a number of Indonesian films.
Life and work
The daughter of film director Sjuman Djaya and actress Tuti Kirana, Djenar Maesa Ayu began writing while studying at elementary school. After graduation, Djenar worked as a television presenter for a short time before beginning to write professionally.Djenar's first book was a compilation of eleven short stories under the title Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet! (They say I'm a Monkey), written in 2001 and published the following year. In 2003, one year after it was published, Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet was one of ten books nominated for the Khatulisitwa Literary Award. The book has since been translated into English by Michael N. Garcia of Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
, with the English translation being launched, along with Nayla, her first novel, during the 2005 Ubud
Ubud
Ubud is a town on the Indonesian island of Bali in Ubud District, located amongst rice paddies and steep ravines in the central foothills of the Gianyar regency...
literary festival. Her second book, Jangan Main-Main (dengan Kelaminmu) (Don't Play (with Your Genitals)), also a compilation of eleven short stories, was nominated for the Khatulistiwa Literary Award in 2004. Nayla, was published in 2005, followed by Cerita Pendek Tentang Cerita Cinta Pendek (Short Stories about Short Stories), published in 2006.
Several of Djenar's short stories have been published in Indonesian newspapers, including Kompas
Kompas
Kompas is the most widely read newspaper in Indonesia. Published by Kompas-Gramedia Group Publishing since June 28, 1965, it has a reputation in Indonesia for high-quality writing and investigative journalism...
and Republika, as well as in magazines such as Cosmopolitan Indonesia
Cosmopolitan (magazine)
Cosmopolitan is an international magazine for women. It was first published in 1886 in the United States as a family magazine, was later transformed into a literary magazine and eventually became a women's magazine in the late 1960s...
and Djakarta! Best Short Story awards have been awarded to two of her short stories, namely Menyusu Ayah (Breastfeeding Father) in 2002 and Waktu Nayla (Nayla's Time) in 2003. The latter work was compiled, together with Asmoro, in an anthology of Kompas selected short stories.
Djenar's short story collection 1 Perempuan, 14 Laki-laki (1 Woman, 14 Men), so called because it consists of 14 stories co-written with 14 men, was launched on her 38th birthday on 14 January 2011. The work was inspired by a successful collaboration Djenar had previously had with the author Agus Noor, which had resulted in the short story Kunang-kunang Dalam Bir (Fireflies in a Glass of Beer), which was published in Kompas. She is currently working on a new novel, Ranjang (Bed), the plot of which was inspired by stories from the Petualangan Celana Dalam (The Undergarment Adventures), a short story collection by another of her collaborators, Nugroho Suksmanto.
In 2008 Djenar debuted as film director with the release of the film version of Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet!
Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet!
Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet! is a 2008 Indonesian film directed by Djenar Maesa Ayu. Starring Titi Sjuman, Henidar Amroe, and Ray Sahetapi, it tells the life story of Adjeng, who was sexually abused as a child by her mother's boyfriend. The film won three Citra Awards at the Indonesian Film...
. This film is based on two short stories from the collection: Lintah (Leech) and Melukis Jendela (Painting the Window). Djenar also acts, and has appeared in a number of Indonesian films.
Short story collections
- Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet (They Say I'm a Monkey), 2001
- Jangan Main-Main (dengan Kelaminmu) (Don't play (with your sex)), 2003
- Cerita Pendek Tentang Cerita Cinta Pendek(A Short story about a Story of Short Love), 2006
- 1 Perempuan, 14 Laki-laki (1 Woman, 14 Men), 2011
Filmography
- Boneka dari Indiana (Doll from Indiana)1990
- Koper (The Lost Suitcase) 2006
- Cinta Setaman 2008
- Dikejar Setan (Overtaken by Satan) 2009
- Melodi (Melody) 2010
- Purple Love (2011)