International Journal of Indonesian Studies Volume 1, Issue 3 | Page 131
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDONESIAN STUDIES
SPRING 2016
ESSAYS
Poetic Reaction to Political Excess: W.S. Rendra, Peacock and People’s Poet
Moira Neagle
Biodata: Moira Neagle is a Bachelor candidate at Faculty of Arts, Charles Darwin University,
Northern Territory, Australia. Her research interests are in Bahasa Indonesian and the
nature of this language. Her contact email:[email protected]
Abstract
W.S. Rendra (1936 – 2009) was an Indonesian dramatist and poet. During the years of the
Suharto’s reign, W.S. Rendra was Indonesia's major contemporary poet. He initially was a
leader of avant-garde theatre through his writing and performing. However, he became a
poet who dared to speak out against the ruling regime of Indonesia. He was imprisoned for
nine months in 1979 and his poetry readings and theatrical performances were often
banned. His poetry criticised the political landscape of his nation through a diverse range of
poetic techniques and vibrant missives. This paper focuses on six long poems which are
passionate observations of the political and day to day realities of Indonesia during the
years when Suharto was the supreme President. His poetry attracted the populous as well
as identifying him as a political activist.
Keywords: W.S. Rendra, Indonesia, Suharto, Poetry, Religion, Symbolism, BurungMerak,
Political Activism, Class, Poverty, Colloquial, Corruption
Introduction:
The maxim, the pen is mightier than the sword, could be aptly applied to the works of W.S.
Rendra. In the political context of 1960s and 1970s Indonesia, the focus era of this paper,
oppression and corruption reigned. Rendra used his words to inform people and as a clarion
call to oppose the New Order during this period. His poetry and his dramatic readings of it
challenged the New Order and in so doing, he attracted large audiences and the ire of those
in power.
This paper describes the man and the political landscape of his country, Indonesia,
through the turbulent years of the 1960’s and 1970’s. It cont ains examination of a number
of his poems with a view to identifying his literary style, diverse poetic techniques and vivid
messages. The poems examined are Nyanyian Duniawi (A Wordly Song from Blues Untuk
Bonnie 1974), Pemandangan Senjakala (Twilight View 1968), Nyanyian Angsa (Swan Song
1971), Bersatulah Pelacur-Pelacur Kota Jakarta (Prostitutes of Jakarta – Unite 1968),
Khotbah (Sermon 1968) and Pesan Pencopet Kepada Pacarnya (A Pick-pocket’s Advice To
His Mistress 1967). These poems were chosen for their vehement commentaries of the
political context of his homeland. His poetry made him a political activist when it was
dangerous to be such; however, his ideas had significant resonance and impact.
Rendra carefully crafted ideas and delivered them with engaging theatrics to large
live audiences. He used the cadence of his language and his passion to charismatically
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