Former teacher-turned-author of
geguritan (traditional Balinese poems) I Nyoman Suprapta and Balinese novelist
I Made Sugianto emerged as the two winners of the prestigious 2013 Rancage
literary award.
Rancage is an annual literary award
given since 1989 to authors who produce the most outstanding literary works and
for individuals or institutions who display great service in developing and
preserving literary works and language in their own Javanese, Sundanese or
Balinese mother tongue. The award was initiated out of concern for local
languages that have been struggling to survive due to a lack of attention from
the government and society.
Suprapta, a former religion teacher,
has authored 100 geguritan over the last 13 years. Some 80 pieces of his work
have been published in the series Pustaka Gita Santi (Sacred Songs Book).
Among his books are Geguritan Maya
Danawa, Geguritan Watugunung, Geguritan Siwaratri, Geguritan Pancadatu,
Geguritan Dalem Balingkang and Geguritan Putra Sesana. Most of the geguritan
take themes that are familiar among Balinese people in both the spoken and classical
text tradition.
Besides composing classical stories,
Suprapta also writes geguritan on novel themes, such as the Geguritan Narkoba
and Geguritan Sad Atatayi (songs about six types of murder).
“Both his old and novel themes
present lessons on morals, ethics and spiritual values.”
“The originality of his works is in
the modern interpretations of the classical themes,” chairman of the board of
founders of the Rancage Cultural Foundation, Ajip Rosidi, wrote in a release
provided for Bali Daily on Monday.
Most of the stories are created to
be sung as mocopotan or gita santi, which in Balinese tradition refer to the
art of singing and interpreting hymns in beautiful rhythm. Suprapta’s active
engagement in the preservation of Balinese literature and language is shown in
his gita santi group called Sanggar Sunari, in which children and youths who
perform for ceremonies and rituals participate. He also teaches similar groups
at various schools.
Meanwhile, Sugianto won the most
outstanding literary award for his novel Sentana. His novel was among the nine
literary works in Balinese published in 2012, which include religious novel Dr.
Ratini dan Ngrestiti Ati by Nyoman Manda; a compilation of poems Méong Garong
by Sugianto; short story Bégal by IDK Raka Kusuma; short story Gancaran Mersun
by Wayan Paing, short story Mekel Paris by IBW Kenitén; compilation of poems
Léak Kota Pala by IGP Samar Gantang and Kabinét Ngejengit by DG Kumarsana.
In his novel Sentana, which means
offspring, Sugianto tells the romantic story of two youths from different
castes. Although the theme of caste conflicts has been widely raised by
Balinese writers since the 1920s, Sugianto excels in his work featuring the
idea of pada gelahang marriage, a marriage tradition in Bali that combines the
patrilineal and matrilineal family system. It is regarded as a solution for
families having an only child who is expected to produce offspring.
“Featuring beautiful metaphors, the
short novel is a good read for our youth, and would be useful to form a bridge
for the younger Balinese generation and modern Balinese literature,” wrote the
release.
In the Sundanese literary category,
a compilation of poems Lagu Padungdung by Deni A. Fajar won the award for most
outstanding work, while Ganjar Kurnia, the rector of Padjajaran University was
recognized for his services to preserve the Sundanese language. Among his
numerous efforts has been initiating the commemoration of UNESCO’s
International Mother Tongue Day at his university.
In the Javanese literary works category,
writer Krishna Mihardja won the award for most outstanding work for his short
story compilation Pratisara, while JFX Hoery was recognized for his efforts to
preserve the Javanese language through the publication of his poems and short
stories in various Javanese magazines and books.
In accordance with the Rancage
literary award, the Samsudi award for best children’s read in Sundanese went to
Dongéng Aki Guru by Elin Samsuri.
Source: The Jakarta Post –
www.thejakartapost.com
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