Rendra

(Solo, Mid-Java, 1935 - Bogor 2009) was a poet, dramatist and actor. From 1964 to 1967 he lived in the United States, where he studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Art. In 1968 he founded the Bengkel Teater in Depok, which was controversial due to its singular choice of material. His unconventional behavior and critical attitude was the cause of conflict with the government. As a poet he debuted in 1957 with the collection Ballada orang-orang tercinta (Ballad of the loved people). Several other collections include Blues untuk Bonnie (Blues for Bonnie, 1961) and Sajak-sajak sepatu tua (Poems of old shoes, 1972) His work has been translated in English, German and Dutch. Rendra placed his poetry in the tradition of Indonesian oral culture and considered literature a 'performing act'.