Rendra’s Poetry Reading

Willibrordus Surendra Broto Rendra, a.k.a. Rendra (1935-2009) who passed away on August, 5, was a poet, playwright (dramatist), actor, director, cultural critic, and social activist. May God bless him. For Indonesians, Rendra was a such charismatic artist, most likely Tawfiq al-Hakim for Egygtians. The way Rendra reads poetry in front of audience is amazing and influencing. Rendra was truly a maestro in poetry and drama.

His books are about 10 books, such as Potret Pembangunan dalam Puisi (1980), and Blues untuk Bonnie (1970). His drama performances such as Bipbop and Kasidah Barzanji. Rendra also played on movie such as Titian Serambi Dibelah Tujuh. His drama performance may be recorded but not sale commercially. Thank God that his poetry readings were recorded, although not many as Emha Ainun Nadjib’s poetry reading records.

This cassette “Kumpulan Puisi dan Sajak Bersama Rendra” was released by Blackboard record Jakarta on August, 1998. This album is such poetry reading (solo and duet with guest star Lies Hady Shandy), and ambience music by Shandy ASW for it’s background. The poetries are Sajak Joki Tobing untuk Widuri, Paman Doblang, Sajak Rajawali, and so on. My review: this album is okey and collectable. But the concept of album is bad, because the music is not designed for the poetry. *