Pestarama#9 Honors Asrul Sani

Jakarta, May 30, 2024 - The Indonesian Language and Literature Education (PBSI) program at the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training (FITK), UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, held a tribute event for Asrul Sani. This tribute, titled "Discussion of Works and Prayer Together for Asrul Sani," was part of the ninth annual Literary and Drama Appreciation Week (Pestarama), which took place on Thursday at Teater Bulungan, South Jakarta.

The event aimed to honor and remember the extraordinary works of Asrul Sani, a renowned Indonesian writer from West Sumatra.

The "Tribute to Asrul Sani" event ran from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, beginning with performances of Asrul Sani's scripts by students from SMA Harapan Ibu and SMPN 141 Jakarta. This was followed by a staging of the play "Mahkamah," written by Asrul Sani, and concluded with a discussion panel, a remembrance of Asrul Sani, and a collective prayer.

The tribute drew attention from various parties, including PBSI students, PBSI faculty members, and the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training. Asrul Sani's family was represented by Syauqi Sani.

This annual event featured Slamet Rahardjo, a former student of Asrul Sani at Teater Populer.

At the beginning of his talk about Asrul Sani, Rahardjo invited the audience to recite Al-Fatihah for the distinguished Indonesian writer.

Rahardjo shared his thoughts on the drama performances he watched and praised Asrul Sani for his remarkable works and unique approach.

"Asrul was extraordinary. He made straight things crooked and crooked things straight," said the actor born in Serang.

Rahardjo also shared a memorable message from Asrul Sani that he still remembers.

"Before he left, I asked, 'Pak Asrul, can I call you Uda Asrul?' And he said, 'Feel free to call me whatever you want, as long as you know what you want.' That was extraordinary," Rahardjo recalled.

A collective prayer for Asrul Sani was led by PBSI UIN Jakarta lecturer Yang Yang Merdiyatna, M.Pd.

The event concluded with the presentation of a trophy and a portrait of Asrul Sani by the Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Cooperation, and Alumni, Salamah Agung, M.A., Ph.D., to Syauqi Sani. Syauqi expressed gratitude to the PBSI UIN Jakarta team for organizing the literary and drama appreciation week, especially the tribute to Asrul Sani.

(PIH/Faadhila Idris)