Sri Wahyuni, Dedication of a Javanese Journalist
Working is not merely about money but also about calling. That certainly applies to Sri Wahyuni aka Yunani aka Nuniek Wulandari. Her dedication and enthusiasm in her profession as a journalist and Javanese-language writer continue to flare, even though she is no longer young at 73 years of age.
The time was almost approaching the Dzuhur prayer when I stepped into the editorial room of Javanese-language magazine Jaya Baya on Wednesday (1/23/2019). In one corner of the room, a woman sat close up to her desk. Her hands were dancing across the rows of letters on the keyboard, while her sharp eyes were reluctant to detach themselves from the computer screen.
This was Sri Wahyuni, special assistant to the editor of Jaya Baya magazine based in East Java. That afternoon, six editorial staff, including Sri Wahyuni, were working hard to finish the third week of January 2019 edition. Jaya Baya was established on Dec. 1, 1945, almost three months after the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.
“Wednesday is the last deadline for all material that will be printed,” said Sri Wahyuni in between her activities of editing the cerita cekak (short stories) and serial fascicles.
Sri Wahyuni is not an ordinary assistant. Born in Tuban, East Java, she has worked as a journalist and editorial staff member since 1980, or for 39 years. She has officially retired from the company, in line with prevailing regulations.
However, instead of resting at home, Sri Wahyuni returned to work at
Jaya Baya magazine. She was extremely excited when the company decided to employ her again. Nothing could make her happier than her family and returning to work as a journalist.
Nor is it a matter of money, because her children are quite able to meet the family’s material needs. It is an open secret that the remuneration of journalists cannot be relied upon and is often not commensurate with the workload or risks faced.
Productive
Before becoming a journalist, Sri Wahyuni had been active in the Javanese literary world. In the 10 years before joining Jaya Baya magazine, she was writing short stories in Javanese, geguritan (Javanese poetry) and serials.
The pieces were published in Jaya Baya, Panjebar Semangat magazine and Parikesit weekly. Her experience as a contributor to a number of Javanese-language periodicals got her accepted as a journalist. Sri Wahyuni also expended her knowledge beyond fictional literature to become a journalist pursuing facts.
Sri Wahyuni’s first novel, Rumpile Ati Wanita (The Broken Heart of a Woman), was published in 1977. She hones her writing skills only on the basis of her high school literature classes and knowledge about Javanese culture imparted to her by her parents. She drew inspiration for her stories from everyday events, often of an accidental nature, for example when she uses public transportation.
“My writing knowledge was enriched after I became a journalist, because then I would travel to many places, meet or interview many people who had a variety of interesting knowledge and stories in their daily lives,” said Sri Wahyuni.
By 1986, she had written 13 novels in the form of serials, including Ayu Sri Rahayu (1980), Mega Klawu Ing Wulan Temanten (1981), Dokter Wulandari (1983) and Rengat-Rengat Ing Kaca Bening (1986). Her
novel work continued to grow to 17 novels in 1993.
In addition, Sri Wahyuni, who in the world of Javanese literature is better known by her pen name Yunani, has written hundreds of short stories in Javanese and Indonesian, dozens of Javanese poems (geguritan) and the Indonesian novel Menggapai Cinta yang Tertinggal (Reaching the Love Left Behind).
Because she continued writing and publishing her works as if unable to slow down, Sri was considered the most productive author of Javanese writings at the time. All of her works were born in the midst of her busy activity as a reporter and as a mother of three children from her marriage to Ismail.
Her editorial staff job often requires her to write stories for Jaya Baya, short stories, geguritan and other works of Javanese literary because of the difficulty to find Javanese writers. In the rush of modern culture, finding Javanese-language authors is increasingly challenging.
For Sri, a work or literature is not merely an essay to entertain the reader, but also a means to convey cultural values, and in the end it is expected to contribute to educating the nation. Her work has enriched the country’s collection of Javanese literature and helped the genre survive.
Equality
A look at Sri Wahyuni’s works makes it clear that the writer wants to voice the issue of feminism. She wants to invite women to feel more empowered and dare to fight for their status, in order to get a decent place in various fields, such as law, marriage, customs and social affairs. It is women themselves who must fight for their rights and protection.
The world of literature and the world of journalism, according to Sri Wahyuni, both have the aim of educating and enlightening the public through their works. The difference is that journalists produce works based on facts and data verified by sources, not mere essays.
Before becoming a journalist, the woman who had studied at the Airlangga University’s Faculty of Law, albeit only for two semesters, had worked as a private junior high school teacher in Randublatung, Blora regency, Central Java. She also worked at a private company in the city of Surabaya.
According to her, working as a writer or journalist is as noble as working as a teacher, as long as it is carried out in accordance with the professional code of ethics. However, the temptation in the form of facilities provided by the news sources often sees journalists forget about their professional ethics. Of course, this does not apply to all.
Sri, who also served as an editorial staff member for tourism magazine Panorama East Java as well as the magazines Mimbar East Java and the East Java Level I Development, believes there are still many journalists who have high ideals and dedicate their lives to work because of their calling.
Sri Wahyuni
Born: Feb. 2, 1946 Husband: Ismail (late) Children: Ifan Isyunandi (51), Riring Isyunandi (55) and Andri Isyunanto (56)
Education:
- Elementary school Sekolah Rakyat in 1958 – Junior high school SMP in 1961
- Senior high school SMA A in 1964