Chairil Anwar

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Chairil Anwar (1922 - April 28, 1949) was probably one of the most famous Indonesian poets. Chairil died at the relatively young age of 27.

Notably, one of his most famous poems was "Aku" (below in translation). It is a poem that comes from the wound of having to leave his father who cheated on his mother. But Chairil's expression of personal pain and rebellion was interpreted by many Indonesians as a call to arms. His poem "Aku" is mostly used in rally and protest as a declaration of rebellion.

Chairil was indeed a rebellious person. He lived in the streets of Jakarta and befriended many of the upper class. His uncle was Indonesia's Prime Minister, but he never took advantage of that position. Instead, Chairil stayed in the streets or at the hut his mother built.

Chairil, together with Asrul Sani and Rivai Apin, were the poets behind Generation 45 ("Angkatan '45"). That movement signified a change in Indonesian literature.

Smart, short and "unflowerful" words were to be the height of "Angkatan '45". This defied the previous generation of poets such as Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana, whose poems still mostly used "traditional" lyrics, rhyme and structured form (derived from the Pantun).

Aku by Chairil Anwar

If my time should come
I'd like no one to entice me.
Not even you.
No need for those sobs and cries.

I am but a wild animal
Cut from its kind.

Though bullets should pierce my skin
I shall still strike and march forth.
Wounds and poison shall I take aflee. Aflee
'Til the pain and pang should disappear.

And I should care even less.

I want to live 
for another thousand years.