Ajip Rosidi: The Legendary Literary Giant of Sundanese Culture
Before talking about Ajip Rosidi, Literature captures specific situations and societal nuances within distinct periods, creating a reflective social record that shapes and informs the character of future communities. Sundanese literature, encapsulates the social life of the Sundanese people, acting as both a repository and a reflection of their cultural identity. Sundanese literature provides readers with insights into past social structures and values, which can shape and guide society’s evolution over time. Dian Hendrayana in his research (2017) explains that by documenting the lived experiences and norms of the Sundanese community, this genre serves as a social album that future generations can examine to build upon their cultural heritage and foster a more progressive society.
If you are a literary enthusiast, you’re likely familiar with Ajip Rosidi. From a young age, he showed a passion for writing. According to Dr. Ulrich Kratz, by 1983, Ajip had become the most prolific Indonesian author of rhymes and short stories. His literary talents extended beyond those genres, including novels, essays, biographies, and memoirs. Ajip wrote over 100 books throughout his life and remained a productive writer in Indonesian and Sundanese languages.
Ajip Rosidi also actively participated in various arts and cultural organizations on both national and international levels, served as the Chair of the Jakarta Arts Council during Governor Ali Sadikin’s tenure and was instrumental in establishing the HB Jassin Literary Documentation Center. In the Sundanese cultural sphere, he initiated the founding of Paguyuban Pangarang Sastra Sunda, which evolved into Paguyuban Panglawungan Sastera Sunda (PP-SS).
Book and Magazine Publishing
Book and magazine publishing also marked Ajip Rosidi’s life journey. He chaired IKAPI or the Indonesian Publishers Association for more than one period. He also pioneered the Pustaka Jaya publishing house. Pustaka Jaya is a literary book publisher established in Jakarta in 1971 at the suggestion of Asrul Sani and several members of the Jakarta Arts Council. In pioneering Pustaka Jaya, Ajip Rosidi began publishing books on literature, culture and science, both original works and translations. In 2020, Ajip Rosidi also established the Kiblat Buku Utama publishing house. Kiblat Buku Utama publishes more Sundanese books.
Since 1989, he has initiated the Rancagé Literature Prize which is awarded annually to writers who write books in regional languages (Sundanese, Javanese, and Balinese). In 2000 he initiated the First International Conference on Sundanese Culture, in Bandung, attended by scholars from Indonesia and abroad. After the conference, he and his friends initiated the establishment of the Sundanese Studies Center in 2002.
Dr. Wendy Solomon (Wendy Mukherjee) argues that in his poems there is tension between the city and the village. And after 22 years of working in Osaka, Japan, he returned to the village. However, he did not return to Jatiwangi, but built a house and private library in Pabelan Village, Muntilan, Central Java.
Educational History
Ajip Rosidi’s educational history is elementary school in Jatiwangi (1950), junior high school in Jakarta (1953), Taman Madya Jakarta (not graduated, 1956). His organizational history (1) member of the LBSS plenary board (1956-1958), (2) chairman of DKI (1972-1981), (3) chairman of IKAPI (1973-1976 and 1976-1979), (4) founder of the HB Jassin PDS foundation (1977), (5) Chairman of the Founding Board of the PP-SS Foundation (1996), (6) Chairman of the Founding Board of the Rancage Cultural Foundation (1993).
Career Profile of Ajip Rosidi
Ajip Rosidi’s career (1) Editor of Sunda Magazine (1965-1967), (2) Editor of Budaya Jaya (1968-1979), (3) Director of Pustaka Jaya (1971-1982), (4) visiting professor of Osaka Gaiko-kugo Daigaku (Osaka Foreign Language University; 1982-2003).
Awards and Achievements Ajip Rosidi Profile: A Highlight
Ajip Rosidi received several awards, including the National Literature Prize 1955-1956, the Art Prize from the Indonesian Government (1993), the Kun Santo Zui Ho Sho from the Japanese Government (1999), and the Mastera Literature Prize (2003).
Works and Influence of Ajip Rosidi Profile in Sundanese Literature
Ajip Rosidi’s works (1) Years of Death (1955), (2) Enday Rasidin’s Love (1960), Bébér Layar! (1964), (3) Jeram (1970), (4) Anak Tanah Air (1985), (5) Hurip Waras! (1988), (6) Terkenang Topeng Cirebon (1993), (7) Encyclopedi Sunda (Editor, 2000), (8) Orang dan Bambu Jepang (2003).
References:
As a reliable source of information, this article draws on a variety of references from both books and academic journals. These sources provide well-researched and credible insights, ensuring that the content presented is accurate and supported by established scholarly materials.
Here are the references from the article above.
- Hendrayana, D. (2017). Memelihara Riak Sastra Sunda. Paramasastra: Jurnal Ilmiah Bahasa, Sastra, dan Pembelajarannya, 4(2), 251-265.
- Rosidi, A., et al. (2003). What Who is Sundanese. Bandung: PT Kiblat Buku Utama.
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