Proceeding Bali-Bhuwana Waskita: Global Art Creativity Conference
Pusat Penerbitan LPPM Institut Seni Indonesia Bali
Postcolonial Feminism Discourse in Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s Novels
The portrayal of Indonesian women during the colonial era cannot be separated from the construction of the patriarchal and the colonial system, which gave rise to the burden of colonization and double oppression during that period. However, this did not deter Indonesian women from their struggle and resistance against the patriarchal and colonial system of the time, even though some were unable to secure their rights, both as women and as human beings. This is represented in Pramoedya Ananta Toer's novels. This study aims to explore Pramoedya Ananta Toer's thoughts on women in his works (in the form of novels) that intersect with the issues of feminism and colonialism. These works include the novels Gadis Pantai, Larasati, and Bumi Manusia. This study uses a qualitative method with a postcolonial feminism theory approach. The data analysis techniques in this study are (1) identifying; (2) classifying; (3) describing; (4) analyzing; and (5) drawing conclusions. The results of the study indicate that women face a double burden of colonization and oppression. This is because women are victims of both patriarchal and colonial systems. Furthermore, despite being caught between these two systems, they continue to struggle and resist both.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rahmi Rahmayati https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Membahasakan Kritik Kekuasaan dalam Arok Dedes Karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Penelitian ini mengkaji narasi novel Arok Dedes karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer sebagai bentuk tafsir estetik terhadap kekuasaan. Berangkat dari pendekatan historis-kritis dan naratologis, tulisan ini memperlihatkan bagaimana Pramoedya memanfaatkan cerita mitologis Jawa kuno untuk mendekonstruksi narasi kekuasaan feodal. Dengan tokoh-tokoh yang kompleks, struktur alur berlapis, dan bahasa yang tajam, Pram menghadirkan kritik terhadap historiografi hegemonik dan sistem politik yang manipulatif. Artikel ini menelusuri bagaimana Pram menyusun narasi, menciptakan tokoh, memilih bahasa, dan menghadirkan kekuasaan sebagai medan tafsir estetis dan ideologis. Simpulan dari kajian ini menyatakan bahwa sastra, dalam tangan Pramoedya, menjadi instrumen pembongkaran ideologi dominan dan penyusun ulang kesadaran sejarah.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tjahjono Tengsoe, Hun Koh Young, Hoon Kim Dong https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Feudal Echoes: Unveiling Gendered Power Through Indonesian Literary Narratives The Girl from the Coast By Pramoedya Ananta Toer
This article analyzes Gadis Pantai (The Girl from the Coast) by Pramoedya Ananta Toer through a socialist feminist approach to uncover the forms of gender oppression embedded in the feudal social structure of early 20th-century in Java. Feudalism in The Girl from the Coast is portrayed as a system that freezes class and gender identity. It erases a woman's name, agency, and dignity in order to preserve the elite’s status quo. Bendoro positions the Girl from the Coast as a symbol of status rather than an equal partner. The Girl from the Coast serves as a vivid example of female resistance, even within constraints. Male dominance in the novel constructs a narrative that suppresses women's agency. The story illustrates how the institution of marriage can become a form of symbolic violence. Pramoedya gives voice to women who have long been silenced by social systems. The Girl from the Coast stands as a witness to how tradition can perpetuate subordination. Pramoedya not only critiques this feudal system, but also lays the foundation for reinterpreting the role of women within modern social structures. The protagonist, a young woman from a fishing community, is coerced into marriage with a Javanese aristocrat as a “trial wife,” reflecting the interwoven realities of patriarchy and class hierarchy. This study reveals that symbolic and social forms of violence depicted in the novel not only reinforce female subordination but also carve out space for symbolic resistance through the character’s emergence of self-awareness. By synthesizing feminist theory from Simone de Beauvoir and the patriarchy-class framework of Rosemarie Tong and Kate Millett, this article proposes that Gadis Pantai stands as an emancipatory narrative, remaining highly relevant for understanding gendered power relations in contemporary society.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ni Putu Tisna Andayani, Ida Bagus Candrayana https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Calon Arang: From Oral Tradition to Text in Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s Narrative for the Advancement of Literary Education
This study examines the narrative transformation of Calon Arang, a Balinese folklore rich in mysticism and local ethics, into a modern literary text reinterpreted by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. The research assumes that Pramoedya did not merely adapt a folktale but carried out an ideological reconstruction of the character Calon Arang as a symbol of female resistance against structural injustice, gender stigma, and patriarchal epistemological hegemony. In Pramoedya's version, the elderly woman, long portrayed as an evil witch, is reimagined as an intelligent, courageous figure who subverts masculine power structures—both royal and religious. The study employs an intertextual approach and critical discourse analysis by comparing the oral narratives of Calon Arang in Balinese tradition—recorded in lontar manuscripts and dramatized in Calonarang performances—with Pramoedya’s literary text. Using postcolonial feminist theory and Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy, this research explores the potential of Calon Arang as a teaching material that cultivates both local cultural literacy and critical gender awareness in the classroom. Findings show that the transformation of Calon Arang from oral folklore to modern literary text signifies a paradigmatic shift: from a myth of ostracism to a narrative of resistance. Pramoedya’s Calon Arang emerges not as an emblem of evil but as a metaphor for the educated woman oppressed for resisting sexist norms and unequal socio-religious power. The work is thus relevant for inclusion in secondary and higher education literary curricula as a progressive model of critical literacy rooted in local culture. The study concludes that integrating local folklore into modern literature not only enriches the Indonesian literary canon but also opens dialogic spaces across generations, between myth and social critique, and between education and emancipation. Within the context of the Merdeka Curriculum, this study offers a strategic contribution to the development of contextual, transformative, and gender-sensitive literary education.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ni Nyoman Ayu Suciartini, I Nyoman Payuyasa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
The Idea of Home and Displacement in Anak Semua Bangsa by Pramoedya Ananta Toer
This paper explores the thematic construction of home and the experience of displacement in Anak Semua Bangsa (Child of All Nations) by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. As the second novel in the Buru Quartet, the text continues the journey of Minke, a native intellectual negotiating his identity amid the turbulence of Dutch colonial rule. The narrative presents home not merely as a physical dwelling, but as a contested ideological space shaped by race, power, and colonial epistemology. Through the characters of Minke and Nyai Ontosoroh, the novel interrogates how colonial structures displace native subjectivities, both literally and symbolically, resulting in fragmented identities and shifting notions of belonging. Drawing on postcolonial theories by Homi Bhabha and Edward Said, this paper examines how colonial modernity fractures indigenous connections to home while simultaneously generating hybrid spaces of resistance and redefinition. The analysis focuses on selected episodes that highlight exile, inheritance, and spatial marginalization, revealing how Pramoedya reclaims the narrative of home as a political site of cultural assertion. Ultimately, the study situates Anak Semua Bangsa within broader world-literature paradigms by showing how Indonesian anti-colonial resistance resonates through the language of displacement, memory, and imagined return.
Copyright (c) 2025 Nurhanis Sahiddan, Awang Azman Awang Pawi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Panji literature, known in Bali as Malat, is a literary work classified as old prose that still exists amidst the onslaught of global culture. This literature has been adapted into various forms of art, including new prose literature in the form of novels. The Balinese people interpret and translate Malat into the Gambuh dance drama, which uses dialogue Kawi and Balinese. This article uses qualitative methods, with data collection involving observation, interviews, documentation, and literature review. The results indicate that Malat literature remains an integral part of Balinese Hindu life, both in the form of vocal art and the performing art "Gambuh," and is inseparable from religious rituals. Even in a global era marked by technological advancement, art derived from Panji/Malat literature remains relevant and serves as a means of uniting the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) and can also serve as a reference source for contemporary works.
Copyright (c) 2025 I Wayan Budiarsa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Ecological Folklore "I Swarnangkara" and Pramoedya Ananta Toer's View in The Perspective of Realism-Socialist Literature
Ecological folklore is a part of literature that is widely developed by raising environmental themes through theme responses and moral messages conveyed as an effort to save the environment. One example of ecological literature in the form of Balinese folklore that also tends to convey character education values to save the forest is Balinese oral literature entitled "I Swarnangkara". The purpose of the study is to examine the existence of oral literature "I Swarnangkara" in Pramoedya Ananta Toer's view in the perspective of Socialist Realist Literature. The method used is descriptive qualitative to facilitate the delivery of the results of the analysis elaborated with the theory of Ecological Literature and Socialist Realist Literature. The object of the research is the oral literature "I Swarnangkara" which represents the message of saving the forest by a young man who grew up in Watukaru Village, precisely in Watukaru forest in Wongaya Gede Village, Tabanan Regency. The results show that the existence of oral literature "I Swarnangkara" contains social realist values that highlight efforts to save the forest environment as a strategy to balance the role of humans and nature for survival. The existence of ecological literature "I Swarnangkara" in the perspective of Social Realist Literature shows that oral literature can function as an educational medium to foster responsibility in protecting nature, especially forests which are the axis and source of oxygen for the world.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ni Kadek Dwiyani, I Wayan Swandi, I Wayan Karja, I Made Bayu Pramana https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Citra Pemberontakan dalam Novel Larasati
Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan bagaimana Larasati, karakter utama Larasati, salah satu dari beberapa karya tersebut, melawan pemerintah kolonial untuk mewujudkan utopianya dan bagaimana gambaran perlawanan itu diamati. Selain itu, Pramoedya menyampaikan gambaran perempuan aktif dari heroine (pahlawan wanita) yang sulit ditemukan dalam karya sebelum dan sesudah masa kemerdekaan Indonesia melalui pengaturan seniman perempuan yang berbeda. Makalah ini memperkenalkan hubungan sastra dan masyarakat berdasarkan pandangan Lukas, Goldman, dan Pramoedya dalam pendahuluan sebagai karya lanjutan untuk menganalisis gambaran perlawanannya, dan pandangan hidup dan sastra penulis diperiksa untuk memahami penulis lebih dalam. Citra perlawanannya juga dianalisis berdasarkan karakter perlawanan dan karakteristik genre novel. Dalam analisis citra perlawanannya, dipastikan bahwa perlawanan berarti seseorang memiliki target sebagai syarat mutlak, terlepas dari sisi dalam atau luarnya, dan citra perlawanan seorang tokoh hanya diamati melalui target tertentu dalam karya tersebut. Artinya, citra perlawanannya bukanlah perlawanan yang memiliki ideologi atau struktur perjuangan bersenjata dalam struktur karya, melainkan diamati sebagai citra introspeksi berdasarkan filantropi, yang diungkapkan bahwa ia mengalami perubahan citra kewanitaannya dalam situasi keras periode revolusioner secara internal. Citra pemberontak dalan novel ini sangat penting karena memahami sistem nilai yang coba diatasi penulis dalam situasi problematis tersebut dengan kesadaran historisnya menyaksikan pergolakan revolusi Indonesia dengan mengekstraksi citra perlawanan dalam struktur sastra dan menafsirkan pesan penulis, serta pada akhirnya memperluas pemahaman tentang keseluruhan pandangan sastra penulis.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kim Dong Hoon https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
The Controversy of Pramoedya Ananta Toer: A Reception Study Toward Reconciliation
The life journey of the writer Pramoedya Ananta Toer is filled with controversy. On one hand, he has been harshly criticized; on the other, he has been highly praised. Pramoedya and his works are scarcely mentioned in literature education in Indonesian schools. Strangely, abroad, this author from Blora, Central Java, enjoys great renown. This raises a fundamental question: what is Pramoedya’s position in the landscape of Indonesian literature? This study applies the theory of diachronic reception by Robert Jauss and Wolfgang Iser. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method, drawing on data sources such as books, magazines, newspapers, journals, and reviews discussing Pramoedya. Additional sources include Pramoedya’s tetralogy novels, Bumi Manusia, Anak Semua Bangsa, Jejak langkah, Rumah Kacaand as well as the film adaptation of Bumi Manusia. The findings reveal that the controversy surrounding Pramoedya’s life is closely tied to the political landscape in Indonesia between 1950 and 1966. During this period, the Institute of People’s Culture Lembaga Kebudayaan Rakyat (Lekra) emerged, ideologically opposed to the Cultural Manifesto movement (Manifes Kebudayaan). As a member of Lekra, Pramoedya sharply criticized Manifes Kebudayaan writers through his polemical writings. Several works by Manifest Kebudayaan affiliated authors were burned, and the writers imprisoned. Conversely, Pramoedya’s own works were banned and withdrawn from circulation. He himself was detained in Jakarta and later imprisoned on Buru Island. Through the lens of diachronic reception theory, this study identifies elements that may open a path toward reconciliation.
Copyright (c) 2025 I Nyoman Suaka, Kadek Tia Wisma Adinda https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Visualisasi Kolonialisme Dalam Film Bumi Manusia
Film Bumi Manusia (2019) merupakan film yang diangkat dari novel berjudul sama karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Visualisasi film ini menggambarkan kenyataan sosial dan sejarah kolonial di Hindia Belanda. Teori mise-en-scene digunakan untuk menganalisis elemen-elemen visual di setiap frame. Penelitian ini menerapkan metode deskriptif kualitatif dengan analisis semiotik terhadap momen-momen penting dalam film. Elemen mise-en-scene digunakan dengan baik untuk mendukung narasi dan karakterisasi, seperti pemanfaatan pencahayaan alami untuk menciptakan suasana realisme sejarah, serta pengaturan ruang dan properti yang mencerminkan ketidaksetaraan sosial antara pribumi dan kolonial. Penggunaan long shot dan wide-angle shot yang konsisten menegaskan kesan ruang serta dominasi kekuasaan kolonial, sedangkan pencahayaan naturalistik dan warna hangat menciptakan nuansa nostalgia dan ironi terhadap era penjajahan. Selain itu, pergerakan kamera yang lembut dalam momen-momen emosional juga memperkuat karakter utama, Minke, sebagai lambang perlawanan intelektual. Film ini mengungkapkan bahwa mise-en-scene bisa menjadi alat interpretasi yang signifikan dalam memahami ideologi dan konteks sejarah melalui visual.
Copyright (c) 2025 Putu Raditya Pandet https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Visibilitas Penerjemah dalam Menerjemahkan Novel Indonesia ke Bahasa Inggris: Fokus pada Parateks dari ‘This Earth of Mankind’
Penelitian ini menelaah visibilitas penerjemah dalam terjemahan bahasa Inggris dari novel ‘Bumi Manusia’ karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer, yang berjudul ‘This Earth of Mankind’. Penelitian terjemahan sebelumnya cenderung berfokus pada teks utama, sedangkan penelitian mutakhir semakin menaruh perhatian pada unsur-unsur parateks, seperti pengantar, catatan penerjemah, dan glosarium, sebagai ruang penting di mana kehadiran serta pilihan interpretatif penerjemah menjadi terlihat. Kajian ini menggunakan strategi domestikasi dan foreignisasi dari Venuti sebagai kerangka analisis. Analisis berfokus pada dua strategi yang dipilih penerjemah: menyamarkan kehadirannya dengan mengadaptasi teks ke budaya sasaran, atau sebaliknya, menonjolkan intervensinya dengan sengaja mempertahankan unsur asing dari teks sumber.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kim Haeyeon https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
The Representation of Nyai Ontosoroh's Character in "Bumi Manusia" within Contemporary Ethnic Fashion Design
This study represents literary characters in contemporary ethnic fashion design, emphasizing the character of Nyai Ontosoroh from Pramoedya Ananta Toer's novel Bumi Manusia. Nyai Ontosoroh was chosen to represent a strong, intelligent indigenous woman who resists colonialism and patriarchy. The purpose of this research is to interpret Nyai's character values into visual clothing forms through a descriptive qualitative approach with textual narrative analysis. Values such as assertiveness, independence, and courage are translated into clothing design silhouettes, the selection of sekar jagad batik motifs, and symbolic color combinations. The influence of 19th-century European fashion is implemented through the distinctive silhouette of the kebaya kutubaru, reflecting Nyai's character as a traditional woman with progressive ideas. This research also applies the principles of narrative fashion, which uses clothing as a medium for conveying stories and cultural values. This paper reveals that clothing design can serve as an effective visual medium for expressing literary narratives and cultural identity. The representation of Nyai Ontosoroh's character through design not only produces aesthetic works but also expands reflective, contextual design practices rooted in local values. This research contributes to the development of an interdisciplinary approach between fashion, literature, and cultural studies in Indonesia's creative sector.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ni Kadek Yuni Diantari, I Putu Udiyana Wasista, Putu Ari Darmastuti https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Senandung Tak Bertahta Exhibition in the Frame of Socialist Realism Pramoedya Ananta Toer
This article discusses about Senandung tak Bertahta exhibition which departs from the situation and conditions of Balinese society in the frame of socialist realism Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Balinese society is still struggling to meet their living needs behind the glittering tourism sector. Take for example the Kerobokan area of Bali which is always under pressure with the rate of growth, between struggling, surviving, actually giving up, especially on the issue of land which is squeezed and lured by investors' enticements. The data source was obtained through a qualitative approach using a descriptive analysis method by utilizing library media. The Senandung tak Bertahta exhibition is a representative to voice the phenomenon, through three works that represent the voices of the buried community, the context of body ownership and the issue of fake identity. The Senandung tak bertahta exhibition will be studied using the theory of Socialist Realism which is in line with Pramoedya's thoughts and the works will be studied using theories by Adorno, Foucault and Julia Kristeva which describe the problem of the helplessness of society which is in line with the context of socialist realism. By studying symbolic elements, visual composition, and social context, this exhibition shows how contemporary art is still relevant as a medium for the struggle of lower-class discourse, as proposed in Pramoedya's literature.
Copyright (c) 2025 I Gede Jaya Putra, Vita Wulansari, Jyothi Devi Krishnanandayani https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Persoalan Dendam dalam Cerpen-Cerpen Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Dendam adalah suatu bentuk emosi yang muncul dalam diri individu apabila dia disakiti atau dicederakan baik secara fisik, mental mahupun perasaan. Akibat dendam, seseorang akan melahirkan rasa malu, teraniaya, marah, benci dan mula bertindak mendapatkan keadilan dan pembelaan dengan pelbagai cara. Makalah ini membicarakan tentang persoalan dendam kesumat dalam dua cerpen Pramoedya Ananta Toer iaitu Pelarian Yang Tak Dicari dan Kemudian Lahirlah Dia. Cerpen-cerpen tersebut menjelaskan kesadaran Pramoedya Ananta Toer sebagai penulis bangsa yang coba menerobos dendam yang menggulati masyarakat Indonesia khususnya di Kepulauan Jawa di awal kemerdekaan Indonesia. Faktor utama yang memunculkan emosi dendam dalam cerpen-cerpen tersebut adalah kemiskinan dan kejahilan. Kesannya, ciri pembalasan dendam dilakukan secara individu sebagai respon terhadap ketidak-adilan dalam struktur masyarakat. Walau bagaimanapun, di sebalik emosi dendam, Pramoedya Ananta Toer lebih memperlihatkan manusia Indonesia yang memiliki keteguhan jiwa, pemaaf dan berdamai dengan takdir hidup.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ummi Hani Abu Hassan, Kim Dong Hoon https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Images and Words The Voice of Pramoedya Ananta Toer in Contemporary Art
Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s literary works expose histories of oppression, resistance, and national identity, giving voice to those silenced by colonialism and authoritarianism. While his influence on literature is widely acknowledged, its intersection with contemporary visual art remains underexplored. This article examines how text-based artistic practices reinterpret and extend Pramoedya’s legacy, using layering, erasure, and fragmentation as visual metaphors for censorship and resilience. Drawing on cognitive theory, expression theory, and visual semiotics, the artistic process integrates his words into images of painting and mixed media to create a dialogue between past and present, literature and image, memory and erasure. The findings reveal that visualizing literary narratives deepens historical reflection and challenges cultural amnesia. This study contributes to both artistic and academic discourse by showing how contemporary art can reclaim silenced histories and expand Pramoedya’s influence beyond literature into the realm of visual expression.
Copyright (c) 2025 I Wayan Karja https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Silenced Sovereignty: Reclaiming Dedes’ Agency in a Patriarchal Narrative
This study examines the representation of patriarchy in 13th-century Javanese feudal society through an analysis of Arok Dedes by Pramoedya Ananta Toer. The research centers on the character of Dedes, symbolizing gender oppression. Although Dedes holds the high position of queen, she remains constrained by the patriarchal system, positioning her as a tool of male authority. This dynamic is evident in her forced marriage to Tunggul Ametung and her political involvement with Arok. Utilizing both sociological and historical perspectives, the research reveals the ways in which the patriarchal structure, understood within its historical context, shapes the social and political positioning of women. Additionally, the study incorporates hypergamy theory, demonstrating that Dedes' marriage was not merely a personal decision but a strategic political maneuver reinforcing male dominance. The findings offer valuable insights into the continued influence of patriarchy in modern society, encouraging discussions on women's empowerment and the pursuit of gender equality. Ultimately, this study contributes significantly to feminist theory and power studies, offering a fresh perspective on the portrayal of women in Indonesian history and literature.
Copyright (c) 2025 I Putu Udiyana Wasista, Adi Surja Triwibowo, Putu Ari Darmastuti, Ni Luh Kadek Resi Kerdiati, A.A. Trisna Ardanari Adipurwa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Mise-en-Scène as a Cinematic Narrative Device in The Earth of Mankind (Bumi Manusia, 2019): Visualizing Colonial Tension and Identity
This article examines how mise-en-scène functions as a cinematic narrative device in The Earth of Mankind (Bumi Manusia, 2019), directed by Hanung Bramantyo and adapted from Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s seminal novel. Set in the Dutch East Indies during the early 20th century, the film visually constructs themes of colonial tension and postcolonial identity through its use of setting, costume, lighting, color, and spatial composition. By analyzing key scenes, this study reveals how mise-en-scène not only reflects the socio-political conditions of the colonial era but also shapes the viewer’s understanding of character psychology and resistance, particularly through the protagonist Minke’s transformation. The visual contrasts between European and native spaces, as well as symbolic props and body language, contribute to a layered narrative that transcends dialogue. This article argues that mise-en-scène in Bumi Manusia is integral to the storytelling process, serving as a visual language for articulating Indonesia’s colonial history and national consciousness.
Copyright (c) 2025 Made Rai Budaya Bumiarta https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Songs of Resistance: Subaltern Voices and Digital Solidarity from Pramoedya Ananta Toer to Band Sukatani
This paper explores subaltern representation and digital solidarity, connecting literary resistance in Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s works with contemporary digital expressions, exemplified by Band Sukatani’s protest song. It addresses how Pramoedya’s narratives of subaltern struggles resonate in modern digital contexts. Utilizing textual analysis of selected Pramoedya novels, content analysis of Sukatani’s lyrics, and online discourse analysis, this study applies theories from subaltern studies, nationalism and identity, and digital affect to examine persistent issues of censorship, institutional oppression, and mobilization of digital solidarity. Findings demonstrate continuity in forms of resistance from literary to musical and digital platforms, highlighting the enduring relevance of Pramoedya’s works and contemporary activism through digital media. The study concludes that subaltern resistance remains dynamic and robust, reinforced by digital cultural expressions that sustain and amplify the legacy of Pramoedya Ananta Toer.
Copyright (c) 2025 Yedija Remalya Sidjabat https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Echoes of Waste: Eco-Conscious Fashion Expression in the Spirit of Pramoedya Ananta Toer
This work serves as a visual expression rooted in deep concern over environmental exploitation and the ongoing degradation of marine ecosystems. Through a sustainable fashion approach, this couture garment is crafted using post-consumer materials such as discarded denim, damaged compact discs, and plastic bottles, serving as a critical response to the consumerist culture that negatively impacts nature. The research adopts a descriptive qualitative method, utilizing the stages of exploration, experimentation, and formation as outlined by Alma M. Hawkins. It also incorporates the humanistic philosophy of Pramoedya Ananta Toer as a cultural lens to frame the narrative. The creative process reveals that fashion design can be a powerful medium for ecological critique, offering an alternative narrative that fosters collective environmental awareness. This work affirms that fashion is not merely about visual aesthetics, but also a space of resistance—one that advocates for humanity and sustainability.
Copyright (c) 2025 Vita Wulansari, I Gede Jaya Putra, Evelyn Patricia Putra https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Pramoedya Ananta Toer: Defying Oppression Through Literature A Legacy of Freedom of Speech and Human Rights in Indonesia
Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s literary works serve as both a historical testimony and a defiant act of resistance against state repression in Indonesia. This study examines Pramoedya’s contributions to literature and human rights, highlighting how his works have shaped discourse on freedom of speech and democratic principles in Indonesia. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, this paper analyzes his writings alongside historical and legal developments concerning free expression. Despite Indonesia’s democratic progress, defamation and blasphemy laws remain tools of suppression, echoing past restrictions. Through comparative analysis, this study underscores the enduring relevance of Pramoedya’s literary resistance in advocating for unrestricted intellectual freedom. Safeguarding free speech is not merely a legal obligation but a fundamental commitment to truth and justice, ensuring that voices like Pramoedya’s are never silenced again.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lidwina Hana, Michael Sega Gumelar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
The Humanitarian Narrative of Pramoedya within the Local Cultural Traditions of Tenganan Pegringsingan
Pramoedya Ananta Toer is widely known for his humanitarian narratives that place human beings at the center of values. This idea finds its relevance in Tenganan Pegringsingan Village, Bali, which is rich in traditions and a value-based social structure. Although both reflect humanitarian values, there is still limited research linking Pramoedya’s humanism with the cultural practices of indigenous communities such as those in Tenganan. The results of this study reveal three key points. First, there is a connection between Pramoedya’s narrative and the social practices in Tenganan, reflecting the relationship between ideas and the implementation of values. Second, the respect given to traditional leaders is based on their social responsibility, not merely their status. Third, the traditional structure in Tenganan demonstrates collective humanitarian values through mutual cooperation (gotong royong). These findings affirm that Pramoedya’s humanistic values are not only alive in literary works but also manifested within contextual local cultural practices.
Copyright (c) 2025 I Komang Try Adi Stanaya, I Wayan Swandi, I Kt Suteja, I Ketut Garwa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Ananta Toer in Malaysia: Humanist Ideology, Reception History, and His Position in the Nusantara Literary Discourse
This paper Pramoedya Ananta Toer, a major literary figure in Indonesia, has made significant contributions to the Malay literary world through works that champion social justice, nationalism, and historical consciousness. In Malaysia, his works have found a place in educational and academic domains despite being banned or rejected in his home country during the New Order regime. This study traces the reception history of Pramoedya’s works in Malaysia, identifies the ideological factors shaping this acceptance, and analyses how he has been appreciated by Malaysian scholars. Using a qualitative approach combining in-depth interviews, textual analysis, and documentary research, this article argues that Pramoedya’s contributions are valued not merely through the lens of political controversy, but from perspectives of humanism, postcolonial values, and regional literary solidarity within the Malay world.
Copyright (c) 2025 Awang Azman Awang Pawi, Nurhanis Sahiddan, Nik Rafidah Muhamad Nik Affendi Pi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Architecture and Interior Design as a Reflection of Identity and Social Class: A Case Study of Nyai Ontosoroh’s House in Bumi Manusia
Architecture and interior design not only represent aesthetic and functional aspects, but also act as tools for constructing identity, power, and social class. This study analyzes Nyai Ontosoroh's house in Pramoedya Ananta Toer's novel Bumi Manusia as a representation of social class ambiguity and spatial symbolism in the colonial context of the Dutch East Indies. Through an interdisciplinary approach between literary studies, architecture, and postcolonial theory, this paper explores how the physical form of the house, the division of space, and interior elements become a means of resistance against colonial and patriarchal social structures. Nyai's Indisch-style house, complete with a garden, a carpeted attic, a spacious living room, and a luxurious bathroom, not only reflects high social status, but also becomes an arena for negotiating gender and racial identities. The results of the analysis show that the domestic space in this novel is a "narrative architecture" that contains political and cultural meanings, and reflects a complex and ambivalent colonial reality. This study contributes to the discourse on decolonizing architecture and the importance of reading space as a social text.
Copyright (c) 2025 Putu Ari Darmastuti, Ni Kadek Yuni Diantari, I Putu Udiyana Wasista https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
From Pramoedya to Ngendon: Interpreting Social Realism and Indonesian Cultural Nationalism from a Distance of Closest Approach
This article compares expressions of Indonesian cultural nationalism through two figures from distinct creative mediums: Pramoedya Ananta Toer in literature and I Nyoman Ngendon in the visual arts. Pramoedya, through his novel This Earth of Mankind and his steadfast resolve in voicing social injustice, and Ngendon, through paintings that parallel his role as a guerrilla fighter, both reflect the spirit of social realism amid colonial repression. Their creative practices function as acts of resistance, awakening national consciousness and articulating collective values rooted in the zeitgeist of their time. Drawing on Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutics, this analysis examines the relationship between narrative, biographical experience, and symbolic representation embedded in their works. The study adopts a framework grounded in the physics concept of distance of closest approach, emphasizing a nuanced reading of the proximity between artwork, social history, and the creative dynamics of both figures. Nationalism and the spirit of nationhood are thus not understood as abstract ideas alone, but as lived, internalized, and embodied experiences manifested through artistic forms within distinct social spheres.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ni Wayan Idayati https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Multilingualism and Cultural Resistance in Bumi Manusia: A Critical Sociolinguistic and Postcolonial Analysis
This paper explores the complex relationship between language and culture in Bumi Manusia (This Earth of Mankind), a novel by Indonesian author Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Set during the Dutch colonial period in the early 20th century, the novel presents a multilingual environment where Dutch, Malay, and Javanese languages interact within a socially stratified society. The central research problem addressed is how language operates as both a tool of colonial control and a medium for cultural resistance and identity formation. Through the lens of critical sociolinguistics and postcolonial cultural theory, this study examines how linguistic practices in the novel reflect broader power dynamics, colonial ideologies, and cultural negotiations. The protagonist, Minke, embodies a linguistic and cultural hybrid, navigating between colonial education in Dutch and his native cultural roots expressed in Malay and Javanese. His linguistic choices mirror his shifting identity, revealing a deeper tension between imposed authority and indigenous self-determination. Pramoedya’s strategic use of multilingual narration is interpreted as a form of subversive storytelling that challenges the dominance of the colonial language while asserting the significance of native cultural perspectives. The novelty of this research lies in its interdisciplinary focus on how literature can function as a site of linguistic resistance and cultural recovery in the face of colonial hegemony. By analyzing the novel’s language politics, this paper contributes to broader discussions on the role of language in postcolonial identity formation and the intersection between linguistic power and cultural expression in Southeast Asian literature.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ni Ketut Dewi Yulianti, I Gst. Ayu P. Jesika Sita Devi N., I Gst. Bagus Krisma Surya Deva N. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Representasi Perempuan dalam Novel Midah Simanis Bergigi Emas dan Larasati Karya Pramoedya
Perlawanan terhadap moralitas seksual patriarkal dan pembentukan subjektivitas perempuan merupakan dua gagasan utama dalam Midah Simanis Bergigi Emas dan Larasati karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer. Midah menolak sistem pernikahan paksa dan memilih hidup mandiri sebagai penyanyi jalanan, hingga akhirnya meniti karier di dunia radio dan film. Ara, dalam konteks revolusi pascakemerdekaan, menolak tampil dalam film propaganda Belanda dan tidak merasa malu atas masa lalunya yang dianggap menyimpang oleh norma sosial. Keduanya memperluas ruang gerak perempuan dari ranah domestik ke ranah publik—Midah melalui kerja, Ara melalui sikap politik—sembari mempertahankan pilihan hidup mereka dengan tegar. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan sosiologi sastra dengan merujuk pada teori Georg Lukács dan Lucien Goldmann untuk menganalisis proses pembentukan subjektivitas tokoh melalui refleksi struktur sosial, ideologi patriarki, dan dunia batin penulis. Melalui pendekatan ini, studi ini mengungkap bagaimana Pramoedya merepresentasikan individu ‘bermasalah’ yang mencari makna dan keutuhan hidup dalam masyarakat yang menindas.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kim Suzie https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Citra Arok dalam Arok Dedes Karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis penggambaran tokoh Ken Arok dalam novel Arok Dedes karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer serta mengungkap pesan utama yang disampaikan pengarang melalui tokoh tersebut. Secara historis, Ken Arok kerap dipandang sebagai simbol perebutan kekuasaan. Namun, Pramoedya merekonstruksi sosok Arok sebagai pemimpin ideal yang memperjuangkan keadilan dan nilai persatuan. Arok digambarkan sebagai simbol integrasi yang mampu menciptakan harmoni dalam masyarakat plural, serta sebagai tokoh yang mengupayakan terwujudnya komunitas yang setara melalui penghapusan perbudakan. Representasi ini mencerminkan kritik Pramoedya terhadap ketiadaan figur pemimpin yang mampu mempersatukan bangsa di Indonesia. Ia menekankan bahwa kemampuan untuk merangkul dan menyatukan keberagaman merupakan prasyarat utama yang harus dimiliki oleh seorang pemimpin dalam konteks masyarakat yang majemuk.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lee Eun Kyung https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Jejak Langkah: “Footsteps” of Pramoedya Studies in China
Pramoedya Ananta Toer is the most influential literary figure in modern Indonesian literature, with over 50 outstanding literary works that have had a profound impact not only on Indonesian literature but also on the world literary stage. Pramoedya's two visits to China during the 1950s facilitated substantive exchanges with prominent Chinese writers. Pramoedya assimilated conceptual frameworks from China's developmental experience into his intellectual praxis. Simultaneously, engagement with Chinese literary works significantly expanded his creative horizons. Chinese academia has initiated translations of Pramoedya's works as early as the mid-20th century, subsequently developing dedicated research trajectories. This study traces his intellectual engagements in China, examines the historical evolution of Chinese scholarship on his literary works, and analyzes distinctive aspects of Pramoedya studies within China's academic paradigm.
Copyright (c) 2025 Qie Lisha https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Kemanusiaan sebagai Pemikiran Dasar Pramoedya Ananta Toer
Artikel ini menyoroti bahwa meskipun kajian terhadap karya-karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer sudah banyak dilakukan, masih terdapat GAP dalam pemahaman mendalam atas dimensi kemanusiaan sebagai landasan utama seluruh gagasan dan perjuangannya. Penulis artikel ini mengisi celah tersebut dengan telaah menyeluruh terhadap karya-karya fiksi dan nonfiksi Pramoedya, khususnya tetralogi Bumi Manusia, untuk menunjukkan bahwa Pramoedya tidak sekadar menyoroti ketidakadilan kolonial, budaya feodal, dan patriarki, tetapi secara konsisten memperjuangkan martabat manusia tanpa terjebak pada ideologi atau pertentangan kelas. Dengan menolak kritik reduksionis, seperti yang dilakukan oleh Umar Junus, artikel ini memaparkan tokoh-tokoh pemberontak yang didorong oleh empati dan kesadaran terhadap nilai kemanusiaan. Melalui reinterpretasi sejarah, gaya bahasa, dan pembelaannya terhadap kelompok tertindas, artikel ini menegaskan bahwa kemanusiaan bukan hanya tema sastra Pramoedya, tetapi fondasi intelektual dan moral yang melintasi karya dan zamannya.
Copyright (c) 2025 Koh Young Hun https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
CULTURAL IDENTITY AND SUSTAINABILITY IN ASIA PACIFIC’S CREATIVE LANDSCAPE
This article explores the intersection of cultural identity, sustainability, and design in Asia-Pacific. As globalization influences contemporary design, the challenge for designers lies in preserving local traditions while embracing global trends. The cultural heritage of the Asia-Pacific, deeply rooted in historical, religious, and social contexts, shapes artistic and design practices that reflect the unique values of the region. However, environmental crises such as rising sea levels, deforestation, and pollution necessitate the adoption of eco-friendly solutions in design. This article examines how designers can address these pressing environmental issues through sustainable architecture, green urban planning, and ethical product design while maintaining a strong cultural identity. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the importance of collaboration among universities and institutions across the region to foster sustainable design education and community-driven solutions. By engaging with global and local perspectives, designers can create innovative works contributing to cultural resilience and environmental sustainability. The concept of Kala Manawa Kalpa, which emphasizes the cyclical relationship between time, culture, and nature, provides a guiding framework for integrating traditional wisdom with modern design practices. Ultimately, this article argues for a harmonious convergence of culture, sustainability, and design, offering pathways for the Asia-Pacific region to navigate the challenges of the 21st century while preserving its rich cultural legacy. Through such an approach, design can play a pivotal role in shaping the region's sustainable and culturally vibrant future.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0