Y.B. Mangunwijaya
Y.B. Mangunwijaya: A Visionary Indonesian Writer
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Y.B. Mangunwijaya was born on June 10, 1930, in Tasikmalaya, West Java, Indonesia. He is commonly known by his initials, YBM.
Birth and Death Dates
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June 10, 1930 - April 16, 2002
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Indonesian writer, poet, essayist, and literary critic.
Early Life and Background
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Y.B. Mangunwijaya was born into a family of modest means in Tasikmalaya, West Java. His early life was marked by the influence of Javanese culture and the struggles of living through Indonesia's tumultuous period following independence from Dutch colonial rule. Mangunwijaya's family encouraged his love for literature and poetry from an early age, setting him on a path that would eventually lead to his emergence as one of Indonesia's leading writers.
Major Accomplishments
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Mangunwijaya's writing career spanned over four decades, during which he made significant contributions to Indonesian literature. He is best known for his lyrical and expressive poetry, which often explored themes of love, nature, and social justice. His works are characterized by their use of symbolism and allegory, reflecting his deep connection with Javanese culture and philosophy.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Mangunwijaya's notable works include:
Poetry collections: "Bumi dan Saksi" (Earth and Witness), "Lautan Batin" (Inner Ocean), and "Kisah Orang Laut" (The Story of the Sea People)
Essay collections: "Teks-Teks Kritis" (Critical Texts) and "Tafsir-tafsir" (Interpretations)
* Literary criticism: Mangunwijaya was a respected literary critic, known for his insightful analyses of Indonesian literature.
Impact and Legacy
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Mangunwijaya's writing had a profound impact on Indonesian literature. His unique blend of Javanese mysticism and social commentary resonated with readers across the country. He is widely regarded as one of Indonesia's most important writers, and his works continue to be studied and celebrated in schools and literary circles.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Mangunwijaya's quotes are often sought after because they offer profound insights into the human condition. His poetry and essays are characterized by their use of symbolism and allegory, making them rich sources for interpretation and reflection. Readers find solace in his words, which often speak to universal themes such as love, loss, and social justice.
Y.B. Mangunwijaya's legacy extends far beyond his literary contributions. He played a significant role in shaping Indonesia's cultural identity and continues to inspire generations of writers and thinkers. His life and work serve as a testament to the power of literature to capture the essence of human experience and to challenge us to think critically about our place in the world.
Quotes by Y.B. Mangunwijaya
Jangan didramatisasi. Setiap angkatan punya medan juang dan pahlawan mereka sendiri.
Papi senang kau tidak suka pada sundal. Tetapi orang-orang yang membongkok-bongkok di hadapan serdadu tengik Jepang dan menjual bangsanya kepada mereka demi sebungkus rokok lebih hina dari sundal.
Aku, lelaki KNIL yang sekasar ddan sehebat itu di muka kompiku, aku tidak tahan merasakan penderitaan ditinggal oleh seorang ibu dan seorang adik perempuan. Keduanya kaum yang rapuh, tetapi entah begitu kuasa justru mereka itu karena kerapuhan mereka. Aku teringat Mayoor Verbruggen, yang pernah berantakan mengalami penderitaan kekasih diambil orang lain. Sampai ia jadi bajingan, menurut katanya sendiri. Apakah aku akan menerima balasan karma dan menjadi bajingan juga?
Yang mereka prihatinkan bukan soal keberhasilan meraih angka di sekolah. Tetapi soal... ya, apalagi selain ini: calon jodoh. Anak lelaki pandai itulah ideal. Tetapi gadis yang pandai?
Tanah air adalah dimana tidak ada kekejaman antara orang dengan orang. Kalau adat atau kebiasaan suatu nasion kejam, kukira lebih baik jangan punya tanah air saja.
Penganggapan ada dialektika Teknologi vs. Kebudayaan tidaklah betul. Kedua hal itu bukan tesis-antitesis, karena teknologi pun adalah bagian konstitutif dari kebudayaan. Ataukah di sini kebudayaanm seperti salah kaprah ditafsir, diidentikkan dengan kesenian?
Bangsa yang suka bohong demi menutupi malu atau menyelamatkan gengsi bukan tanah-tumbuh yang baik untuk sains dan teknlogi karena dunia pembohongan langsung frontal melawan rasionalitas yang menjadi modal dan dasar utama bagi pengembangan sains dan teknologi.
Sains dan teknologi demi kodratnya akan menggiring kita ke keseragaman, tetapi sekaligus kebutuhan anti-seragam, anti-massa, dan anti-berbaris akan semakin beraksi. Orang akan semakin mencari yang unik, yang memberi simbol kemerdekaan diri melawan kebudayaan massal dunia teknologi dan industri. Manusia massa dan kaum elite isolasionis akan berdampingan dalam satu kampung dan satu ruangan. Seperti di dalam bioskop, massal sekaligus sunyi sendirian dengan gagasan masing-masing.
Aku terlambat. Dan bagi seorang berjiwa militer terlambat tidak sama artinya dengan pegawai kantor yang datang terlambat. Bagi orang-orang seperti aku ini, terlambat berarti lebih dulu terkena peluru, mampus.