Joko Pinurbo and Beauty in the Everyday World

As the title suggests, Jokpin's poems discuss simple things from life and everyday items.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Writer Joko Pinurbo during a visit to the Kompas editorial board in Jakarta on June 28 2019.

The Indonesian literature world is in mourning again after Yudhistira ANM Massardi passed away in early April 2024. Now, poet born in Sukabumi, Joko Pinurbo (61), breathed his last breath on Saturday (27/4/2024).

The news of Jokpin's death was conveyed by the editor of Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Mirna Yulistianti, who had been editing Jokpin's books. Mirna said she received the sad news from Jokpin's wife, Nurnaeni Amperawati Firmina, on Saturday morning, via the Whatsapp application.

According to Mirna, Jokpin passed away at Panti Rapih Hospital in Yogyakarta. She added, based on information from his wife, Jokpin had been hospitalized at Panti Rapih Hospital since Friday (April 26, 2024) night.

Previously, in November 2023, Jokpin was hospitalized for some time. In an interview with Kompas at that time, Nurnaeni said that Jokpin was experiencing lung complaints. "After 2023, Mas Jokpin was hospitalized several times. "I also had time to visit him," said Mirna.

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

Joko Pinurbo, who is familiarly called Jokpin, has produced a number of books poetry. Some of them are Pants (199), 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).

As the title suggests, Jokpin's poems discuss simple things in life, as well as everyday items. The diction in his poetry is simple, but capable of "tickling" its readers. His poems are also short, clear, and concise. Because of its simplicity, Jokpin's poetry is not difficult to understand, even for those who claim not to be poetry enthusiasts.

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's Gift" in the book Khong Guan's Banquet. The book containing 80 poetry titles was launched, attended by dozens of people, at the Gramedia bookstore, Jakarta, on January 26 2020. Before being launched, the publisher and Jokpin had obtained permission from biscuit manufacturer Khong Guan.

KOMPAS/RIAN SEPTIANDI

Joko Pinurbo, Indonesia's leading poet, visited the Kompas editorial staff at Kompas Tower, Jakarta, Friday (28/6/2019). Joko read one of his favorite poems he ever wrote entitled Little Dictionary in the Sleep Training Book.

Also listen to the poem entitled "Khong Guan Religion" from the same book below:

Rengginang cheers//when religions unite//in the can of khong guan.

At that time, Jokpin explained that his book was not just about talking about biscuit brands. Instead, the book about Khong Guan was born from Jokpin's thoughts on love and diversity. He was inspired by an article on the internet about Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) when he talked about his visit to Madura.

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

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Writer Joko Pinurbo on December 30 2011

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).

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 book collection 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.

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

A play titled "Tubuh Pinjaman Teman" by Sony Wibisono was performed at the Indonesia-France Institute Auditorium in Yogyakarta on Monday night (July 1, 2013). The performance, adapted from poetry by writer Joko Pinurbo, tells the story of human anxiety in facing the crossroads of life that ultimately leads to a choice.

This Yogyakarta-based poet has received a number of awards for his literary works. According to the Yogyakarta City Culture Service website, Jokpin received the Jakarta Arts Council Poetry Book Award in 2001. In the same year, he received the Lontar Literature Prize and became Tempo's Selected Literary Figure.

He also received the Ministry of Education and Culture's Language Agency Literary Award (2002), Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa (2005), Tempo's Selected Literary Figure (2012), the Ministry of Education and Culture's Language Agency Literary Award (2014). Other awards are the Southeast Asia Writers Award (2014), Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa (2015), and the Yogyakarta Governor's Cultural Award (2019).

Also read: Joko Pinurbo's poems

Based on information received by Kompas, Jokpin's body will be laid to rest at the PUKY Funeral Home, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). The poet's body will be buried in Sleman Regency, DIY, on Sunday (27/4/2024).

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.

KOMPAS/YUNIADHI AGUNG

Dorothea Rosa Herliany, the winner of the prose category (left), and Joko Pinurbo, the winner of the poetry category, take a photo after receiving the Kusala Sastra Khatulistiwa award in Jakarta on Thursday (12/14/2016).