Taufik Ismail
Encyclopedia
Taufiq Ismail is an Indonesian poet and author, devout Muslim, and a committed activist. Ismail figured prominently in Indonesian literature
of the post-Sukarno
period and is considered one of the pioneers of the "Generation of '66". He completed his education at the University of Indonesia
. Before becoming active as a writer, he taught at the Institut Pertanian Bogor
. In 1963, he signed the "Cultural Manifesto"; a document that opposed linking art to politics. This cost him his teaching position at the Institut.
Ismail wrote many poems, of which the best-known are Malu (Aku) Jadi Orang Indonesia, Tirani dan Benteng, Tirani, Benteng, Buku Tamu Musim Perjuangan, Sajak Ladang Jagung, Kenalkan, Saya Hewan, Puisi-puisi Langit, Prahara Budaya : Kilas Balik Ofensif Lekra, Ketika Kata Ketika Warna and Seulawah-Antologi Sastra Aceh. Bored with his serious style, in 1970 he began writing poems mixed with humor. He has won many awards, including the "Cultural Visit Award" from the Australian government (1977) and the S.E.A. Write Award
(1994).
, West Sumatra
, June 25, 1935). He grew up from teacher and journalist family. He wanted to become writer since he was on High School. His reading hobby was more and more satisfied, when Taufiq became the librarian in Pelajar Islam Indonesia Pekalongan's library. While maintaining the library, he was freely reading the works of Chairil Anwar
, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, until William Saroyan
and Karl May
. He not only read books about literature but also the books about history, politics, and religion.
He then attended High School in Pekalongan
, Central Java
and then he also attended Whitefish Bay High School
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
. He was able to school in Whitefish Bay because the scholarship of student exchange from American Field Service International. There he read the works of Robert Frost
, Edgar Allan Poe
, and Walt Whitman
. He also liked Ernest Hemingway
novel, The Old Man and the Sea
.
and husbandry expert because he wanted to have a farm business in order to support his literary ideals, however he failed to have a farm business which he had planned in an island in Strait of Malacca
.
Ismail was a joint editor of Horison, a literary magazine, along with Ds. Muljanto, Zaini, Su Hok Djin, and Goenawan Mohamad
. Horison was started in July 1966 by Mochtar Lubis
and HB Jassin
as a successor to Sastra. He remains active writing for the magazine as a senior editor. He was a prominent member of the Jakarta Arts Council (Dewan Kesenian Jakarta)and was head of the Jakarta Arts Education Institute (Lembaga Pendidikan Kesenian Jakarta) from 1973 to 1978.
Indonesian literature
Indonesian literature, is a term grouping various genres of South-East Asian literature.Indonesian Literature can refer to literature produced in the Indonesian archipelago. It is also used to refer more broadly to literature produced in areas with common language roots based on the Malay language...
of the post-Sukarno
Sukarno
Sukarno, born Kusno Sosrodihardjo was the first President of Indonesia.Sukarno was the leader of his country's struggle for independence from the Netherlands and was Indonesia's first President from 1945 to 1967...
period and is considered one of the pioneers of the "Generation of '66". He completed his education 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...
. Before becoming active as a writer, he taught at the Institut Pertanian Bogor
Institut Pertanian Bogor
Institut Pertanian Bogor is an Indonesian state university in Bogor. It was established on September 1, 1963.-History:...
. In 1963, he signed the "Cultural Manifesto"; a document that opposed linking art to politics. This cost him his teaching position at the Institut.
Ismail wrote many poems, of which the best-known are Malu (Aku) Jadi Orang Indonesia, Tirani dan Benteng, Tirani, Benteng, Buku Tamu Musim Perjuangan, Sajak Ladang Jagung, Kenalkan, Saya Hewan, Puisi-puisi Langit, Prahara Budaya : Kilas Balik Ofensif Lekra, Ketika Kata Ketika Warna and Seulawah-Antologi Sastra Aceh. Bored with his serious style, in 1970 he began writing poems mixed with humor. He has won many awards, including the "Cultural Visit Award" from the Australian government (1977) and 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....
(1994).
Early life
Taufiq Ismail was born in BukittinggiBukittinggi
Bukittinggi is one of the larger cities in West Sumatra, Indonesia, with a population of over 91,000 people and an area of 25.24 km². It is situated in the Minangkabau highlands, 90 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang. It is located at , near the volcanoes Mount...
, West Sumatra
West Sumatra
West Sumatra is a province of Indonesia. It lies on the west coast of the island Sumatra. It borders the provinces of North Sumatra to the north, Riau and Jambi to the east, and Bengkulu to the southeast. It includes the Mentawai Islands off the coast...
, June 25, 1935). He grew up from teacher and journalist family. He wanted to become writer since he was on High School. His reading hobby was more and more satisfied, when Taufiq became the librarian in Pelajar Islam Indonesia Pekalongan's library. While maintaining the library, he was freely reading the works of Chairil Anwar
Chairil Anwar
Chairil Anwar was an Indonesian poet and member of the "1945 generation" of writers. He is estimated to have written 96 works, including 70 individual poems....
, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, until William Saroyan
William Saroyan
William Saroyan was an Armenian American dramatist and author. The setting of many of his stories and plays is the center of Armenian-American life in California in his native Fresno.-Early years:...
and Karl May
Karl May
Karl Friedrich May was a popular German writer, noted mainly for adventure novels set in the American Old West, and similar books set in the Orient and Middle East . In addition, he wrote stories set in his native Germany, in China and in South America...
. He not only read books about literature but also the books about history, politics, and religion.
He then attended High School in Pekalongan
Pekalongan
Pekalongan is a city and seat of Pekalongan Regency on the northern coast of Central Java, Indonesia. The city is Central Java's most important port, and is known for its batik.-History:The history of Pekalongan dated back to the early 12th century...
, Central Java
Central Java
Central Java is a province of Indonesia. The administrative capital is Semarang. It is one of six provinces on the island of Java.This province is the province of high Human Development in Indonesia and its Points Development Index countries is equivalent to Lebanon. The province of Central Java...
and then he also attended Whitefish Bay High School
Whitefish Bay High School
Whitefish Bay High School is a comprehensive public secondary school located in the village of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, United States. Approximately 950 students attend the school from September through June, in grades 9 through 12...
in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. He was able to school in Whitefish Bay because the scholarship of student exchange from American Field Service International. There he read the works of Robert Frost
Robert Frost
Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. His work frequently employed settings from rural life in New England in the early twentieth century, using them to examine complex social and...
, Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
, and Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman
Walter "Walt" Whitman was an American poet, essayist and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse...
. He also liked Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Miller Hemingway was an American author and journalist. His economic and understated style had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction, while his life of adventure and his public image influenced later generations. Hemingway produced most of his work between the mid-1920s and the...
novel, The Old Man and the Sea
The Old Man and the Sea
The Old Man and the Sea is a novel written by American author Ernest Hemingway in 1951 in Cuba, and published in 1952. It was the last major work of fiction to be produced by Hemingway and published in his lifetime. One of his most famous works, it centers upon Santiago, an aging fisherman who...
.
Career
Originally Taufiq used to work as veterinarianVeterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
and husbandry expert because he wanted to have a farm business in order to support his literary ideals, however he failed to have a farm business which he had planned in an island in Strait of Malacca
Strait of Malacca
The Strait of Malacca is a narrow, stretch of water between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It is named after the Malacca Sultanate that ruled over the archipelago between 1414 to 1511.-Extent:...
.
Ismail was a joint editor of Horison, a literary magazine, along with Ds. Muljanto, Zaini, Su Hok Djin, and 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...
. Horison was started in July 1966 by Mochtar Lubis
Mochtar Lubis
Mochtar Lubis was an Indonesian Batak journalist and novelist who co-founded Indonesia Raya. His novel Senja di Jakarta was the first Indonesian novel to be translated into English. He was a critic of Sukarno and was imprisoned by him...
and HB Jassin
HB Jassin
Hans Bague Jassin , better known as HB Jassin, was an Indonesian literary critic, documentarian, and professor. Born in Gorontalo to a bibliophilic petroleum company employee, Jassin began reading while still in elementary school, later writing published reviews before finishing high school...
as a successor to Sastra. He remains active writing for the magazine as a senior editor. He was a prominent member of the Jakarta Arts Council (Dewan Kesenian Jakarta)and was head of the Jakarta Arts Education Institute (Lembaga Pendidikan Kesenian Jakarta) from 1973 to 1978.
Personal life
Taufiq Ismail married Esiyati Ismail (née Yatim) at 1971, they have one son Abraham "Bram" Ismail.Works
- Manifestasi (1963) (alongside Goenawan Mohamad, Hartojo Andangjaya, et al.)
- Benteng (1966)
- Tirani (1966)
- Puisi-puisi Sepi (1971)
- Kota, Pelabuhan, Ladang, Angin, dan Langit (1971)
- Buku Tamu Museum Perjuangan (1972)
- Sajak Ladang Jagung (1973)
- Puisi-puisi Langit (1990)
- (literally means ( I ) Shamed to be Indonesian, this work was published after Indonesian 1998 Revolution, this work is about Ismail's criticism about the government)
In English
- Stop Thief! (short story) in "Black Clouds Over the Isle of Gods" edited by David Roskies. M. E. Sharpe (1997) ISBN 0-7656-0033-1
In Russian
- Taufik Ismail. Rendez-Vous. Izbrannie Stikhi (Rendez-Vous. Selected Poems). Edited and Translated by Victor Pogadaev. Designed by Aris Azis. Moscow: Humanitary, 2004: 136, ISBN 978-5-89221-081-X
- Taufiq Ismail. Vernite Mne Indoneziyu. Izbrannie Stikhi (Return Indonesia To Me. Selected Poems). Edited and Translated by Victor Pogadaev. Designed by Hardi. Moscow: Klyuch-C, 2010: 124, ISBN 978-5-93136-119-2