(West Java, Indonesia, 1968) is a leading voice among the new generation of Indonesian artists and writers emerging after the fall of Suharto. Utami was born in Bogor and grew up in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. She studied Russian language and literature. During her college years she had already begun publishing reports and essays in various newspapers. She has been a journalist for various Indonesian magazines, including Humor, Matra, Forum Keadilan, and D&R. Shortly after Suharto banned three magazines in 1994, Ayu joined Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (Independent Journalist Alliance) in protesting the ban. She continued her journalistic work underground, which included the anonymous publication of a black book on corruption in the Suharto regime. Utami's first novel, Saman, appeared in 1998, only a few weeks before the fall of Suharto, helping to signal the changing cultural and political landscape in Indonesia. The novel caused a sensation, and controversy, among Indonesian artists and intellectuals. It was acclaimed by many reviews and was considered as a new milestone in Indonesian literature. Saman has sold over 100,000 copies and been reprinted 34 times. The sequel to Saman, Larung was published in 2001. Her new play and book protesting anti-pornography legislation, Pengadilan Susila (Susila's Trial) appeared in 2008. Ayu Utami currently works for Radio 68H, an independent news radio station that is broadcast all over the country as well as a writer for the cultural journal Kalam and in Teater Utan Kayu/Teater Salihara in Jakarta.

Has been known as a poet since the 'Ternu Penyair 10 Kota' (Meeting of Poets from 10 Cities) in Jakarta in 1982. In that year his first collection of poetry, Bulan Tertusuk Lalang, was also published. This collection inspired Garin Nugroho's film, a prominent lndonesian director. One of the poems from that collection also contributed to another of Garin Nugroho's films, Cinta dalam Sepotong Roti. In 1987 a collection of bis poetry, Nenek Moyangku Airmata was awarded a prize by Yayasan Buku Utama. In 1990 two of bis books of poetry - Celurit Emas and Nenek Moyangku Airmata were chosen as 'best books' by the Centre for Language Development. in 1994, his collection of poetry, Belayar di Pamor Badik was publisbed. He currently lives in Batang-batang in Madura.
Source: Teater Utan Kayu 2001

(Magelang, Central Java, 1963). Graduated from the Faculty of lndonesian Language and Literature of the Sanata Dharma university in Yogyakarta. She writes poetry, short stories, essays, notes on performances and art criticism. She has participated in the meeting of ASEAN literature in the Philippines (1990), the Festival Indië/Indonesië in The Hague, Holland(1995) and was a writer in residence in Australia (2000). She has publisbed a number of collections of poetry, including : Nyanyian Gaduh (1987), Matahari yang Mengalir (1990), Kepompong Sunyi (1993), Nikah Ilalang (1995), Blencong (1995), Karikatur dan Sepotong Cinta (1996), Mimpi Gugur Daun Zaitun (1999), Perempuan yang Menunggu (2000) Kill the Radio, Sebuah Radio Kumatikan (2001).

(1950) occupies the chair in Malaysian and Indonesian Language and Literature at Leiden University. He translated work of Pramoedya Ananta Toer: Jejak langkah (Footsteps, 1986) and Rumah kaca (The Glass House, 1988) and other Indonesian authors. He often writes about modern Indonesian literature.

(Sukabumi, West Java, 1962). After completing studies in Sanata Dharma, Yogyakarta, in 1987, he worked as a lecturer in the same college while working also for the cultural magazine Basis. Since 1999 he has been an editor for the manuscript bureau of the publishing house Gramedia. He is also a volunteer for several independent organizations that work for art and education (Yayasan Dinamika Edukasi Dasar, Senthong Seni Bangun Jiwa, Kedai Kebun). His recent book is Celana (1999). His manuscript of anthology, Di Bawah Kibaran Sarung won one of the prizes for best 1998-2000 poetry from the Jakarta Arts Council. In 1997 one of his essays won a prize from the litarary magazine Horison.
Source: Teater Utan Kayu 2001