Sapardi Djoko Damono: Spreading Goodness Through Poetry

Sapardi Djoko Damono is one of the older generation poets who successfully reaches various circles and ages. In his later years, he managed to introduce literature, particularly poetry, to younger generations, including in schools.

One of his former students, Reda Gaudiamo, who is now known as a writer and singer, often performs Sapardi’s poems, especially “Hujan Bulan Juni.” This song, adapted from the iconic poem, is always eagerly awaited by art and literature enthusiasts.

Although Sapardi passed away on July 19, 2020, the poem “Hujan Bulan Juni” continues to evoke fond memories of youth. Written in 1989, this poem reflects Sapardi’s experiences as a student in Yogyakarta and Surakarta. He wrote it in one sitting, alongside another romantic poem titled “Aku Ingin,” which has also been set to music.

Reda, who was one of his students at the Faculty of Literature, University of Indonesia, admits that he can’t stop reciting Sapardi’s poems. “We never intended to keep singing poetry, but there are always requests,” he said in an interview. He feels a sense of karma for having recorded Sapardi’s poetry as an album without his knowledge.

Interestingly, Sapardi never expressed anger when his poems were ‘borrowed’ by Reda and his friends. As an emeritus professor, he was grateful that his work gained wider recognition through musical adaptation. “If that poem had not been sung by Reda, you wouldn’t know it. Who would remember a poem in the corner of an afternoon newspaper if it weren’t sung?” Sapardi stated at the Asian Literary Festival 2016.

The musicalization of Sapardi’s poetry is not a new phenomenon. In 1987, he participated in a literature appreciation program for students, where music was chosen as a relevant medium for contemporary times. About six students were involved in this program, and the poems sung were not solely his own works.

In 1990, the album “Hujan Bulan Juni,” entirely based on Sapardi’s poetry, was released. His poems, with their rhyme and simple language, became extremely popular, even after the students graduated. Reda explains, “His poems have rhythm, simple words, and even without music, they already have a melodic quality.”

One example of the beauty of language in “Hujan Bulan Juni” is as follows:

There is nothing more patient
than the rain in June
it conceals its drops of longing
to the flowering tree

Since its musicalization, “Hujan Bulan Juni” has undergone several adaptations, from poetry to novel in 2015, and then to film in 2017. This poem also inspired director Kamila Andini to create the film “Yuni” in 2021, depicting Sapardi’s astonishment at the weather anomalies in June.

Thus, Sapardi Djoko Damono’s legacy through poetry continues to live on and inspire many, demonstrating that goodness can be spread through profound artistic works.