Ayu Utami

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Ayu Utami (born in November 21, 1968 in Bogor, Indonesia) is a female Indonesian writer. She has written novels, short-stories, and articles. One of her masterpieces was Saman (1998).

Contents 1 Background 2 Works 3 Honors and Awards 4 External links

[edit] Background

She grew up in Jakarta, and obtained her Bachelor degree in Literature from University of Indonesia. In 1990, she was selected as finalist in Wajah Femina, a beauty pageant in Indonesia. However she did not pursue modeling career due to her dislike of cosmetics and make-up.

She was a journalist for various Indonesian magazines, including Humor, Matra, Forum Keadilan, and D&R. Shortly after Suharto banned three magazines (Tempo, Editor, and Detik) during the New Order era, Ayu joined Aliansi Jurnalis Independen (Independent Journalist Alliance) in protesting the ban.^{[citation needed]} Currently she works as a writer in cultural journal Kalam and in Teater Utan Kayu.

Her first novel, Saman, was acclaimed by many reviews and was considered as a new milestone in Indonesian literature.^{[citation needed]} Saman won a literature competition held by Jakarta Arts Council in 1998 and subsequently the Prince Claus Award from Prince Claus Fund, and 55,000 copies were sold. Early 2002, the sequel of Saman, Larung was launched.

[edit] Works

• Saman, KPG, Jakarta, 1998
• Larung, 2002
• "Si Parasit Lajang" (an Essay Compilation), GagasMedia, Jakarta, 2003

[edit] Honors and Awards

• Best Novel, Dewan Kesenian Jakarta 1998
• Prince Claus Award 2000

[edit] External links

• (Indonesian) Apa dan Siapa PDAT
• (Indonesian) Biography in Potret in Intisari Magazine 1998
• (Indonesian) Biography in CBN