VIVAnews – 101 years ago today, on 11 February 1908, Prof. Dr. Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana, one of Indonesia’s most accomplished novelists, poets, and linguists, was born.
Alisjahbana was born in Natal, North Sumatra, into a well-educated family. His father was a teacher and his grandfather was considered an intellectual of his time, since he was very knowledgeable in law and religion.
After graduating from Hogere Kweekschool (a high school for would-be teachers) in Bandung, Alisjahbana worked for a while as a teacher at HKS Palembang. Later, he went to Jakarta and became an editor at Panji Pustaka and Balai Pustaka.
While working at Balai Pustaka, Alisjahbana became acquainted with many intellectuals of the time, both Dutch and Indonesian, including one of Indonesia’s most celebrated poets and authors, Armijn Pane.
From 1933 to 1942, he became a publisher and chief editor of Pujangga Baru magazine. At the same time, he attended Hoofdacte Cursus (teachers college) in Jakarta, and obtained a bachelor’s degree in education in 1942.
During the Japanese occupation, Alisjahbana was appointed head of the Indonesian Language Committee. After World War II was over, he became a lecturer at various universities, including the University of Indonesia (1946-1948), the National University (1950-1958), Andalas University (1956-1958), and Malaya University (1963-1968).
In addition to teaching, Alisjahbana was also active in literary publishing and became the editor-in-chief of several magazines, including the new Pujangga Baru (1948-1953), Pembina Bahasa Indonesia (1947-1952), and Konfrontasi (1954-1962). He was also active in politics and became a member of the Indonesian Socialist Party (PSI). From 1945 to 1960, he served as a member of parliament representing PSI.
During his long life, Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana wrote dozens of books, mostly on literature and linguistics. His most famous literary works include “Tak Putus Dirundung Malang” (novel, 1929), “Dian Tak Kunjung Padam” (novel, 1932), “Layar Terkembang” (novel, 1936), “Tatabahasa Baru Indonesia” (linguistics, 1936), “Anak Perawan di Sarang Penyamun” (novel, 1940), “Puisi Lama” and “Puisi Baru” (poems, 1941 and 1946), and many others.
Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana passed away in Jakarta on 17 July 1994 at 86. He was awarded a medal of honor in culture by the Indonesian government in 1970.
PDIP Sumbar Menang Atas Gugatan dari Kader Sendiri
PDIP Sumbar menang gugatan atas kadernya yang menggugat pencopotan sebagai anggota DPRD dan digantikan PAW
