Subagio Sastrowardoyo
Encyclopedia
Subagio Sastrowardoyo was an Indonesia
n poet, short-story writer, essayist and literary critic. Born in Madiun
, East Java
, the Dutch East Indies
(now Indonesia), he was educated at Gadjah Mada University
, Cornell University
and Yale University
. he made his debut as a writer in 1957 with Simphoni (Symphony), a collection of poems, which Teeuw described as "cynical, untamed poetry, shocking sometimes". Simphoni was followed by several attempts at short story writing, including the publication Kedjananan di Sumbing (Manhood on Mount Sumbing), before Subagio settled on poetry as his main creative outlet. Following an extended stay in the United States he published a collection of poems entitled Saldju (Snow) in 1966. The poems in this collection deal with questions of life and death, and of the need for "something to hold on to in an existence threatened on all sides", and have been described as altogether more restrained than those in his earlier work. Additional works published since 1966 include Daerab Perbatasan (Border Region) (1970), Keroncong Motinggo (Montinggo's Song) (1975), Buku Harian (Diary), Hari dan Hara (1979)Simphoni Dua (1990), and several books of literary criticism. Subagio's collected poems have been published as Dan Kematian Makin Akrab (1995).
For many years, he was a director of Balai Pustaka
, a publishing firm in Indonesia. He also spent some time abroad, and was able to read French, Dutch and English with sufficient fluency to be able to translate poems in these languages into Indonesian. . He was a senior lecturer at Salisbury College of Advanced Education and Flinders University
in Adelaide
, South Australia
, and during the summer of 1984, he was a guest instructor at Ohio University
, teaching Indonesian
. In 1987, Subagio Sastrowardoyo, together with Goenawan Mohamad
, Sapardi Djoko Damono
, Umar Kayam
, and John H. McGlynn, established the Lontar Foundation
, a non-profit organization with the primary aim of promoting Indonesian literature and culture through the translation of Indonesian literary works.
, and Raden Ayu Ratna Suyati Sastrowardoyo (née Kartokusumo) (1887–1980), a noblewoman descended from a minister of the Majapahit Empire
. His wife was Sumarni Sastrowardoyo (?-2002). They are survived by three children—Saraswati Sastrowardoyo, Rukmiati (also known as Minuk) Richards and Prakoso Sastrowardoyo – and two grandchildren, Anton Nortkus and Kristof Nortkus.
Mr. Sastrowardoyo's siblings included Prof. Soenario, S.H., minister of foreign affairs
from 1953 to 1955; Dra. Sukanti Suryochondro, a former instructor in women's studies
at the University of Indonesia
; Subekti Sastrowardojo, who died in infancy during the 1918 influenza pandemic
; Suryono Sastrowardoyo, a career diplomat whose posts included Singapore
, Italy
, the United States
and Poland
; Dr. Sumarsono Sastrowardoyo, a physician, surgeon and memoirist; and Sumarsongko H. Sastrowardoyo, M.A., formerly of the staff of the Consulate General of Indonesia in New York City
. (Subagio had been the best man at his brother Sumarsongko's wedding in 1962.)
His family name was derived from sastra (Sanskrit, writings) and wardaya (Sanskrit, heart), so literally meant "writings of the heart." In the old Dutch spelling, the family name had been spelled Sastrowardojo but, even prior to the spelling reform
in Indonesia in 1972, some members had changed the j to a y -- and one brother, Sudibbyo, spelled the name Sastrowardhoyo, reflecting the aspirant d.
Mr. Sastrowardoyo's first name has also been spelled Soebagio and Soebagyo.
Two nephews, Rahadyan Sastrowardoyo
[16][17] and Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo
, are U.S.-based journalists (the latter for The Asbury Park Press[18]). The actress Dian Sastrowardoyo
is a grandniece.
His father, Sutejo Sastrowardoyo, traced the family's ancestry back to 15th century Java.
Mr. Sastrowardoyo was awarded the S.E.A. Write Award
in 1991.
A year after his death, Mr. Sastrowardoyo was quoted in an essay by Barbara Crossette
for the Week in Review section of The New York Times:
President Megawati Sukarnoputri
posthumously awarded Mr. Sastrowardoyo the Satya Lencana medal in the field of literature in (year?)
The Australian composer Betty Beath based a composition, "Manusia Pertama di Angkasa Luar...The First Man in Outer Space" on a poem by Subagio Sastrowardoyo. The composition is included on the CD Music from Six Continents (see bibliography).
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n poet, short-story writer, essayist and literary critic. Born in Madiun
Madiun
Madiun is a city in the western part of the province of East Java Indonesia, an agricultural centre. It is the capital of the regency of the same name....
, East Java
East Java
East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and islands to its east and to its north East Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located on the eastern part of the island of Java and includes neighboring Madura and...
, the Dutch East Indies
Dutch East Indies
The Dutch East Indies was a Dutch colony that became modern Indonesia following World War II. It was formed from the nationalised colonies of the Dutch East India Company, which came under the administration of the Netherlands government in 1800....
(now Indonesia), he was educated at Gadjah Mada University
Gadjah Mada University
The Gadjah Mada University is the largest and the oldest national university in Indonesia . founded on December 19, 1949; although the first lecture was given on 13 March 1946. The name was taken from the name of Majapahit's Prime Minister, Gajah Mada.UGM is located in Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa...
, 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...
and Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. he made his debut as a writer in 1957 with Simphoni (Symphony), a collection of poems, which Teeuw described as "cynical, untamed poetry, shocking sometimes". Simphoni was followed by several attempts at short story writing, including the publication Kedjananan di Sumbing (Manhood on Mount Sumbing), before Subagio settled on poetry as his main creative outlet. Following an extended stay in the United States he published a collection of poems entitled Saldju (Snow) in 1966. The poems in this collection deal with questions of life and death, and of the need for "something to hold on to in an existence threatened on all sides", and have been described as altogether more restrained than those in his earlier work. Additional works published since 1966 include Daerab Perbatasan (Border Region) (1970), Keroncong Motinggo (Montinggo's Song) (1975), Buku Harian (Diary), Hari dan Hara (1979)Simphoni Dua (1990), and several books of literary criticism. Subagio's collected poems have been published as Dan Kematian Makin Akrab (1995).
For many years, he was a director of Balai Pustaka
Balai Pustaka
Balai Pustaka is the state-owned publisher of Indonesia and publisher of major pieces of Indonesian literature such as Salah Asuhan, Sitti Nurbaya and Layar Terkembang. Its head office is in Jakarta....
, a publishing firm in Indonesia. He also spent some time abroad, and was able to read French, Dutch and English with sufficient fluency to be able to translate poems in these languages into Indonesian. . He was a senior lecturer at Salisbury College of Advanced Education and Flinders University
Flinders University
Flinders University, , is a public university in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1966, it was named in honour of navigator Matthew Flinders, who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in the early 19th century.The university has established a reputation as a leading research...
in Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, and during the summer of 1984, he was a guest instructor at Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
, teaching Indonesian
Indonesian language
Indonesian is the official language of Indonesia. Indonesian is a normative form of the Riau Islands dialect of Malay, an Austronesian language which has been used as a lingua franca in the Indonesian archipelago for centuries....
. In 1987, Subagio Sastrowardoyo, together with Goenawan Mohamad
Goenawan Mohamad
Goenawan Mohamad is a renowned Indonesian poet and man of letters.Goenawan Mohamad was born in Batang, Central Java. His early writings include Potret Seorang Penyair Muda Sebagai Si Malin Kundang and Seks, Sastra, Kita ,'"Kesusastraan dan Kekuasaan' Goenawan Mohamad (born 29 July 1941) is a...
, Sapardi Djoko Damono
Sapardi Djoko Damono
Sapardi Djoko Damono is an Indonesian poet known for lyrical poems, and who is widely regarded as the pioneer of lyrical poetry in Indonesia.Sapardi began writing poetry while still in high school in Surakarta...
, Umar Kayam
Umar Kayam
Umar Kayam was an Indonesian sociologist and writer born in Ngawi, East Java, on April 30, 1932 and died on March 16, 2002. He followed education in Hollands Inlands School Mangkunegoro, Surakarta, where his father also taught. After that, he continued his education to MULO, then continued the...
, and John H. McGlynn, established the Lontar Foundation
Lontar Foundation
The Lontar Foundation, a not-for-profit organization based in Jakarta, Indonesia, was founded in 1987 by four Indonesian writers: Goenawan Mohamad, Sapardi Djoko Damono, Umar Kayam, and Subagio Sastrowardoyo and the American translator, John H...
, a non-profit organization with the primary aim of promoting Indonesian literature and culture through the translation of Indonesian literary works.
Family
Mr. Sastrowardoyo was a son (the 11th of 14 children) of Raden Mas Sutejo Sastrowardoyo (1876–1968), a wedono of the Uteran District in MadiunMadiun
Madiun is a city in the western part of the province of East Java Indonesia, an agricultural centre. It is the capital of the regency of the same name....
, and Raden Ayu Ratna Suyati Sastrowardoyo (née Kartokusumo) (1887–1980), a noblewoman descended from a minister of the Majapahit Empire
Majapahit Empire
Majapahit was a vast archipelagic empire based on the island of Java from 1293 to around 1500. Majapahit reached its peak of glory during the era of Hayam Wuruk, whose reign from 1350 to 1389 marked by conquest which extended through Southeast Asia. His achievement is also credited to his prime...
. His wife was Sumarni Sastrowardoyo (?-2002). They are survived by three children—Saraswati Sastrowardoyo, Rukmiati (also known as Minuk) Richards and Prakoso Sastrowardoyo – and two grandchildren, Anton Nortkus and Kristof Nortkus.
Mr. Sastrowardoyo's siblings included Prof. Soenario, S.H., minister of foreign affairs
Foreign minister
A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in...
from 1953 to 1955; Dra. Sukanti Suryochondro, a former instructor in women's studies
Women's studies
Women's studies, also known as feminist studies, is an interdisciplinary academic field which explores politics, society and history from an intersectional, multicultural women's perspective...
at the University of Indonesia
University of Indonesia
The Universitas Indonesia, is a state, comprehensive world class university located in Depok, West Java and Salemba, Jakarta, Indonesia. Universitas Indonesia is the oldest tertiary-level educational institution in Indonesia...
; Subekti Sastrowardojo, who died in infancy during the 1918 influenza pandemic
Spanish flu
The 1918 flu pandemic was an influenza pandemic, and the first of the two pandemics involving H1N1 influenza virus . It was an unusually severe and deadly pandemic that spread across the world. Historical and epidemiological data are inadequate to identify the geographic origin...
; Suryono Sastrowardoyo, a career diplomat whose posts included Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
; Dr. Sumarsono Sastrowardoyo, a physician, surgeon and memoirist; and Sumarsongko H. Sastrowardoyo, M.A., formerly of the staff of the Consulate General of Indonesia in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. (Subagio had been the best man at his brother Sumarsongko's wedding in 1962.)
His family name was derived from sastra (Sanskrit, writings) and wardaya (Sanskrit, heart), so literally meant "writings of the heart." In the old Dutch spelling, the family name had been spelled Sastrowardojo but, even prior to the spelling reform
Spelling reform
Many languages have undergone spelling reform, where a deliberate, often officially sanctioned or mandated, change to spelling takes place. Proposals for such reform are also common....
in Indonesia in 1972, some members had changed the j to a y -- and one brother, Sudibbyo, spelled the name Sastrowardhoyo, reflecting the aspirant d.
Mr. Sastrowardoyo's first name has also been spelled Soebagio and Soebagyo.
Two nephews, Rahadyan Sastrowardoyo
Rahadyan Sastrowardoyo
Rahadyan Timoteo Sastrowardoyo — born 1963 in New York City — is a writer, editor and photographer. He is an American of Indonesian and Filipino ancestry.Sastrowardoyo was raised on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and attended P.S...
[16][17] and Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo
Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo
Hartriono Benjamin Sastrowardoyo is a voiceover actor and American journalist reporting for the Metro section of The Asbury Park Press, as one of its staff writers, specifically Berkeley Township, but also with a specialty in writing about the U.S...
, are U.S.-based journalists (the latter for The Asbury Park Press[18]). The actress Dian Sastrowardoyo
Dian Sastrowardoyo
Diandra Paramita Sastrowardoyo , more popularly known as Dian Sastro or Dian Sastrowardoyo, is an Indonesian model and actress....
is a grandniece.
His father, Sutejo Sastrowardoyo, traced the family's ancestry back to 15th century Java.
Awards and legacy
In 1986, Mr. Sastrowardoyo, as a representative of Balai Pustaka, presented the Pegasus Prize for Literature to Ismail Marahimin, author of And the War is Over, in New York City.Mr. Sastrowardoyo was awarded the S.E.A. Write Award
S.E.A. Write Award
The S.E.A. Write Award, or Southeast Asian Writers Award, is an award that has been presented annually since 1979 to poets and writers in Southeast Asia....
in 1991.
A year after his death, Mr. Sastrowardoyo was quoted in an essay by Barbara Crossette
Barbara Crossette
Barbara Crossette is an American journalist and instructor in journalism.She wrote for The New York Times for over twenty years, and served as the paper's chief correspondent in South East Asia...
for the Week in Review section of The New York Times:
A few years ago, [John] McGlynn's foundation collected Indonesians' impressions of the United States, many of them unsettling, in a book called On Foreign Shores. One of the poets, Ajip RosidiAjip RosidiAjip Rosidi, born on 31 January 1938, in Jatiwangi, Majalengka, West Java, is an Indonesian poet and short story writer. As of 1983 he has published 326 works in 22 different magazines.-Biography:...
, reacted to New York in a poem titled "Manhattan Sonnet."
"Is it within these strong and rigid walls /
one's sense of safety nestles? /
All I find here is vigilance, the source of apprehension."
His compatriot Subagio Sastrowardoyo wrote about a city "where life is cheap." New York's greed, he said, "has made this place too confined for prayer or a human voice."
President Megawati Sukarnoputri
Megawati Sukarnoputri
In this Indonesian name, the name "Sukarnoputri" is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name "Megawati"....
posthumously awarded Mr. Sastrowardoyo the Satya Lencana medal in the field of literature in (year?)
The Australian composer Betty Beath based a composition, "Manusia Pertama di Angkasa Luar...The First Man in Outer Space" on a poem by Subagio Sastrowardoyo. The composition is included on the CD Music from Six Continents (see bibliography).
Short Stories
- Kejantanan di Sumbing (Manhood on Mount Sumbing), Jakarta : Balai Pustaka, 1965
Poetry
- Simfoni (Symphony), Yogyakarta, 1957
- Daerah Perbatasan, Jakarta, 1970
- Keroncong Motinggo 1975
- Buku Harian, Jakarta : Budaya, 1979
- Hari dan Hara, Jakarta : Balai Pustaka, 1982
- Simfoni Dua (Symphony 2),Jakarta, Balai Pustaka, 1990
- Dan Kematian Makin Akrab, Jakarta : Grasindo 1995
General
- Bakat Alam dan Intelektualisme, Jakarta : Pustaka Jaya, 1972
- Manusia Terasing di Balik Simbolisme Sitor, Jakarta : Budaya Jaya, 1976
- Pengarang sebagai Manusia Perba-tasan, Jakarta : Balai Pustaka, 1989
- Sekilas Soal Sastra dan Budaya, Jakarta : Balai Pustaka, 1992
- Wirt dies Wort!, Unkel/Rhein-Bad Honnef : Horlemann, 1991
Anthologies
- On Foreign Shores: American Images in Indonesian Poetry. Jakarta: Lontar Foundation, 1990. ISBN 979-8083-02-4 ISBN 978-979-8083-02-0
- John H. McGlynn and E.U. Kratz, eds., Walking Westward in Morning: Seven Contemporary Indonesian Poets. School of Oriental & African Studies, 1990. ISBN 979-8083-03-2
- John H. McGlynn, ed., Menagerie 1. 1992. ISBN 979-407-238-9 Jakarta: Lontar Foundation, 2006. ISBN 979-8083-07-5 ISBN 978-979-8083-07-5
- Iem Brown and Joan Davis, eds., Di Serambi/On the Verandah: A Bilingual Anthology of Modern Indonesian Poetry. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. ISBN 978-0-521-47202-9
- Erica Manh, comp. Sharing Fruit: An Anthology of Asian and Australian Writing. Melbourne: Curriculum Corporation, 1998. ISBN 1-86366-385-1
Audio Recordings
CDs- Betty Beath; Glen Roger Davis, David Fetherolf and Anthony Vazzana, composers. Music from Six Continents (1995 Series). Ruben Silva, cond. Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra. Vienna Modern Master, 1995. ASIN: B000004A71