Sutardji Calzoum Bachri
Encyclopedia
Sutardji Calzoum Bachri, known as Tardji, (born 1941 in Rengat
, Riau) is a well-known Indonesia
n poet
. A native Malay
speaker, he successfully launched a credo
of 'freeing words of their meanings'.
He was nicknamed the "bottle poet" for a preference, early in his career, for accompanying readings of his work with bottles of alcohol. He was also known once as 'The President of Indonesian Poets' His style of reading has been compared to the incantation
-like quality of the old Indonesian dukun, chants stemming from Indonesian pre-Islamic shaministic
practice, still used today.
The style of Tardji's poetry
has been described as that of a mantra
. He has been quoted as saying that the mantra is the true use of words.
Rengat
Rengat is a town in Riau province of Indonesia and it is the capital of Indragiri Hulu Regency.The WWF keeps a conservation forest near the town, but the conservation area is no longer well-protected. Many companies take the nature resources from the forest without legal permit.- External links...
, Riau) is a well-known Indonesia
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
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
. A native Malay
Malay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
speaker, he successfully launched a credo
Creed
A creed is a statement of belief—usually a statement of faith that describes the beliefs shared by a religious community—and is often recited as part of a religious service. When the statement of faith is longer and polemical, as well as didactic, it is not called a creed but a Confession of faith...
of 'freeing words of their meanings'.
He was nicknamed the "bottle poet" for a preference, early in his career, for accompanying readings of his work with bottles of alcohol. He was also known once as 'The President of Indonesian Poets' His style of reading has been compared to the incantation
Incantation
An incantation or enchantment is a charm or spell created using words. An incantation may take place during a ritual, either a hymn or prayer, and may invoke or praise a deity. In magic, occultism, witchcraft it may be used with the intention of casting a spell on an object or a person...
-like quality of the old Indonesian dukun, chants stemming from Indonesian pre-Islamic shaministic
Shamanism
Shamanism is an anthropological term referencing a range of beliefs and practices regarding communication with the spiritual world. To quote Eliade: "A first definition of this complex phenomenon, and perhaps the least hazardous, will be: shamanism = technique of ecstasy." Shamanism encompasses the...
practice, still used today.
The style of Tardji's poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
has been described as that of a mantra
Mantra
A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation"...
. He has been quoted as saying that the mantra is the true use of words.
External links
- Profile and works at the 2004 Poetry Africa Festival website