5 Legendary and Greatest Indonesian Writers of All Time

VIVA – Indonesia is famous for its amazing literature works. This masterpiece is owned by a legendary and greatest Indonesian writer and they managed to make their name in world history.

Through writing, these legendary writers have contributed a lot to the long journey of literature in Indonesia.

The legendary writer presents a good storyline and still uses the Indonesian cultural background. So memorable, meaningful, with a strong historical touch. In fact, these literature works have not faded and are still widely sought after today.

Here are the figures of a legendary writer in Indonesia:

1. Pramoedya Ananta Toer

Pramoedya Ananta Toer is known as a controversial writer, he was imprisoned during the colonial period, during the Old Order, to the New Order.

His most famous work is the Buru Island Tetralogy that he wrote while imprisoned such as "Bumi Manusia", "Anak Semua Bangsa", "Jejak Langkah", and "Rumah Kaca".

By the end of his life, Pram had written more than 50 masterpieces, and has translated into 42 foreign languages.

During the New Order, Pram's works were considered pro-communist ideology. But he stated that he did not side with any ideology, but only defended the truth that must be written down.

For the sake of his belief, Pram had to go through a lot of terror. His works were banned from circulation, and he was arrested in Nusakambangan until he was deported to Buru Island.

Until now, Pram is the only Indonesian writer who has been nominated for the Nobel Prize for the literary category.

2. Buya Hamka

Prof. DR. H. Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah or known as Buya Hamka is a legendary Indonesian writer.

During Buya Hamka's life, he worked as a journalist, writer, and teacher. Especially, in the fields of philosophy, literature, history, sociology, politics, Islam, and the West.

Two of the best-selling novels by Buya Hamka are “Di Bawah Lindungan Ka’bah” and “Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijck” that have been filmed and also tell the story of a girl caught in a forced marriage.