Joko Pinurbo Completes Poetry Worship

Joko Pinurbo's simple literary works have deep meaning. His work inspired and enriched Indonesian literature.

KOMPAS/RIAN SEPTIANDI

Joko Pinurbo, Indonesian poet, visited the Editor of the Daily Kompas at Kompas Tower, Jakarta, Friday (28/6/2019). Joko Pinurbo read one of his favorite poems he ever wrote entitled "A Little Dictionary in a Sleep Exercise Book".

Joko Pinurbo (61) died on Saturday (27/4/2024) in Yogyakarta. His poems are simple, witty, but deeply meaningful and are considered to have enriched the treasures of Indonesian literature.

During his life, Jokpin, as he was usually called, was known as a humble, warm and sincere person. Writer Warih Wisatsana remembers him as a friend and a treasure for the world of Indonesian literature.

Warih believes that Jokpin has mapped the works of poets from the previous generation, the Jokpin generation and the new generation. This makes Jokpin able to emphasize his own aesthetic attitude in his work.

"His work is read as something full of irony, parody, and seems to have been written lightly. However, I believe that it was done with careful consideration of sound, meaning, metaphor selection, and the themes raised. It seems like an everyday theme, but in reality, it is the result of a long struggle that gives birth to a variety of aesthetics that enrich Indonesian literature," said Warih when contacted separately on Saturday.

KOMPAS/HARIS FIRDAUS

Poet Joko Pinurbo speaks at the launch of a book of his poetry collection entitled Epigram 60, Monday (16/5/2022), at the Gramedia Sudirman Bookstore, Yogyakarta.

Jokpin has produced a number of works, including a book of poetry. Some of them are Pants (1999), Under the Flapping Sarong (2001), My little girlfriend (2002), To Kiss i> (2007), Happy Poetry Service (2016), Khong Guan Banquet (2020), News of Joy (2021), and < i>Epigram 60 (2022).

Also read: Joko Pinurbo dies, Indonesia loses its best poet

As the title suggests, Jokpin's poems discuss simple things about daily life and objects. The diction in his poems is also simple, but able to "poke" at the reader. His poetry is short, concise, and to the point. Because of its simplicity, Jokpin's poetry is not difficult to understand, even by those who claim not to be poetry enthusiasts.

Mirror of social life

Warih added that Jokpin's work actually recorded the social, cultural, and political life of the country over the past 30 years. "All of it depicts Jokpin's long intellectual work. That is what is being passed down to the next generation of poets."

Let's open what's inside this can of Khong Guan: biscuits, peyek, chips, ampiang, or rengginang?// Simsalabim. Open it!// The contents turned out to be cellphones, ATM cards, tickets, vouchers, medicine, amulets, and petrified pieces of longing.

This is one of Jokpin's poems entitled "Khong Guan Religion" in the book Khong Guan Banquet. The book containing 80 poetry titles was launched with dozens of people at the Gramedia bookstore, Jakarta, on January 26 2020.

At the time, Jokpin explained that his book was not just about discussing the brand of biscuits. The book about Khong Guan actually came from Jokpin's thoughts about love and diversity. He was inspired by an article on the internet about Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur when he talked about his visit to Madura.

KOMPAS/SEKAR GANDHAWANGI

The launch of the book Khong Guan Banquet by poet Joko Pinurbo was held in Jakarta, Sunday (26/1/2020).

The fourth President of Indonesia tested the audience on the names of religions in Indonesia. Instead of mentioning Confucianism, the audience answered with 'Khong Guan'. Gus Dur laughed and joked about the Khong Guan religion appearing.

The joke became Jokpin's inspiration to tell a story. He wants readers to think about brotherhood and love among human beings. Khong Guan is considered the appropriate medium for storytelling because it is simple and embedded in people's minds.

"I want to invite people to pay attention to issues that may cover the country's territory. However, I do not want to make this discussion intimidating," he said (Kompas.id, 26/1/2020).

Also read: Let's Eat Khong Guan While Talking About Love

Inspiration for the younger generation

Joko Pinurbo is one of the "senior" poets who is popular among young people. He is not left behind by the development of time. He is quite active on his social media, which is followed by thousands of followers.

According to Warih, Jokpin understands civilization and the virtual reality that is happening at present. The simplicity of Jokpin's poetry instead gives room for readers to imagine on their own.

On the other hand, writer Gratiagusti Chananya Rompas said that Jokpin was one of the people who encouraged him to continue writing poetry and sending it to the mass media. It was also Jokpin's work—namely the book Pants—that inspired him to form the Bunga Sun community in 2005. Members of the community play while honing their poetry skills when they gather.

KOMPAS/MOHAMMAD HILMI FAIQ

Writer Gratiagusti Chananya Rompas (second from left) reads poetry at an event at Bentara Budaya Jakarta, Monday (1/4/2024).

”Jokpin came to one of the open mic sessions and we got to know each other. "Jokpin encourages us as young poets to continue working," said the writer who is familiarly called Anya. ”We are more like friends when chatting. Jokpin sees me as a young poet, but not a poet who is not equal to him," added Anya, whose husband and children are close to Jokpin.

Anya also learned about economical words from Jokpin's work. According to her, every word in Jokpin's work always has a function. That is why Jokpin is able to create short poems with great meaning.

"Jokpin's poems in the book Pants are very fresh and it makes me feel that poetry doesn't have to use flowery words. You can just use everyday words. Poetry can also be upsetting, but it can also joke through poetry. "Jokpin influenced me on how to view poetry," added the author of the Non-Specific poetry book.

KOMPAS/HARIS FIRDAUS

Poet Joko Pinurbo (second from right) appears to sing with the Olski band at the launch of a book of poetry collections entitled Epigram 60, Monday (16/5/2022), at the Gramedia Sudirman Bookstore, Yogyakarta.

Live by words

Completely, Philipus Joko Pinurbo lives through words. Even the words used are everyday words that can be turned into humorous and profound poetry.

This was conveyed by Butet Kertaredjasa, remembering his colleague, Joko Pinurbo. "I know very well, Jokpin lives entirely by words. "The last time I came to his house on March 27 2024, he complained that the economic reward for poetry literacy was now so low," said Butet, Saturday, in Jakarta.

Butet is in Jakarta for the opening of a solo art exhibition titled "Melik Nggendong Lali" at the National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta. The exhibition, curated by Asmudjo J Irianto, will run from April 26 to May 25, 2024.

When Butet visited Jokpin at his house, they joked. Butet invited Jokpin to nengget (achieve) a miracle of healing, because he had also struck a miracle of healing like that. "Jokpin then showed his knees, feet or hands, and said that only bones were left. "Then Jokpin started telling strange stories," said Butet.

Jokpin often experiences visual hallucinations. He said he often sees a person in a white robe in front of him. According to Butet, Jokpin mentioned such hallucinations to her when they met in November 2023. Butet visited Jokpin at his home when he was already critical with a disease attacking his lungs. Later, Butet secretly collected funds for Jokpin's health care expenses.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Writer Joko Pinurbo, 2011

For Butet, Jokpin's contribution to the world of poetry literature is very impressive. One time, in his poem specifically dedicated to her and her late brother Djaduk Ferianto, "I forgot the title," said Butet.

Butet is also impressed with her poems that defy identity politics. She once asked for permission to include her poem titled "Jokpin" into her visual works. Butet also promised to split the profits if the painting sold. And indeed, it sold. "I wrote the poem Jokpin, 'What is your religion? My religion is the water that cleanses your questions.' It is a witty and profound poem," said Butet.

Butet impressed with the use of the phrase "cleaning up your question". That indicates the question about your religion being dirty. Jokpin did not want to delete, but only clean up the dirty part.

Apart from poetry, Jokpin also writes stories. Several of his short stories were published in the mass media, and were even selected to be included in the collection of books Compas Selected Short Stories in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He also tried out writing novels. His first novel is entitled Srimenanti and was first published in 2019.

This poet based in Yogyakarta has received several awards for his literary works. According to the Yogyakarta City Cultural Office website, Jokpin received the Jakarta Art Council Poetry Book Award in 2001. In the same year, he also received the Lontar Literary Award and was selected as one of Tempo's Literary Figures.

Also read: Joko Pinurbo, Spiritual Excursions in Poetry

He also received the Language Agency of the Ministry of Education and Culture's Literary Award (2002), Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Prize (2005), Tempo Magazine's Literary Figure Choice Award (2012), Language Agency of the Ministry of Education and Culture's Literary Award (2014). His other awards include the Southeast Asia Writers Award (2014), Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa Prize (2015), and the DIY Governor's Cultural Award (2019).

Joko Pinurbo has left behind sweet memories and works that have colored the world of Indonesian literature. Farewell and may he fulfill his duty of poetry in the hereafter.