The Human Story in “The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon”

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Humanist Sindhunata (right) explains the process of writing the novel The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon at the book launch event at the Gramedia bookstore, Yogyakarta, Tuesday (29/3/2022)..

YOGYAKARTA, KOMPAS — The novel Anak Bajang Menggoyang Bulan (The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon) by Sindhunata was officially launched at the Gramedia Bookstore, Yogyakarta, on Tuesday (29/3/2022). It was previously published as a serial in Kompas daily from 27 September 2021 to 7 March 2022.

The story, adopted from a wayang story and including other references, reflects the struggles of love and lust that accompany the human experience. Readers have authority over whether they feel inspired by the values of virtue in the story, or learn from the evil.

The launch of the Bajang Child Swinging the Moon, published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama, included a discussion with the author Sindhunata and deputy editor of the Kompas Daily Culture Desk M Hilmi Faiq. The event also included readings from the novel by Landung Simatupang and Ni Made Purnama Sari alongside musical entertainment by Paksi Band.

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The Bajang Child Swinging the Moon tells the story of Sukrosono and Sumantri, two brothers who have very different physical appearances. Sumantri, the older brother, is a handsome knight, while Sukrosono is a dwarf demon but who has a noble heart.

The novel can be considered a continuation of Sindhunata’s Anak Bajang Menggiring Angin (The Bajang Child Herding the Wind) written 40 years ago. Before being published as a novel, Anak Bajang Menggiring Angin, based on the Ramayana story, was also published as a serial in the Kompas daily in 1981. Sindhunata said that the desire to write Bajang Child Swinging the Moon appeared 13-14 years ago. However, his writing stagnated so the book was not finished. It was finally completed in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Inspiration of simplicity

According to Sindhunata, the story of Sumantri and Sukrosono was actually a simple story of two brothers, one ugly, one handsome, and how the ugly was betrayed by the handsome.

However, after carefully considering the story, Sindhunata found many things to reflect on. "It turns out that there are so many things I could uncover, for example about the conflict between fate and freedom, about futility, about ideals and how in the end the bad is actually needed by the good so that the good can become perfect," said the cultural observer and priest.

Through the story, Sindhunata also wanted to convey a critique of power, because the effort to gain power sometimes comes with sacrifices. "This novel is a reflection on humanity and a critique of ambition, ideals and power," he said.

What happens in this book happens to us all, such as power struggles, ambition, betrayal, love that cannot be realized, ambiguous love and so on.

Hilmi Faiq said even though the novel was based on a wayang story, the Bajang Child Swinging the Moon novel also reflected a number of current issues, so the novel would always be relevant.

“Wise readers will not see the wayang, but the struggle of humanity in this book. What happens in this book happens to us all, such as power struggles, ambition, betrayal, love that cannot be realized, ambiguous love and so on,” said Faiq.

When published as a serialized story, Faiq added, the Bajang Child Swinging the Moon was welcomed by readers. Deputy managing editor of Kompas daily M Hernowo said that over the course of the 156 episodes of Bajang Child Swinging the Moon, this story was like an oasis or a giver of meaning at a time when the hustle and bustle of news events could be stifling. Through this story, Kompas readers were given the space to find deeper meaning in the problems they faced.

General manager of Gramedia Pustaka Utama Andi Tarigan said the publication of Bajang Child Swinging the Moon was a collaboration between a number of parties, including Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Kompas daily, Omah Petroek cultural house and Basis magazine. Readers were invited to imagine and reflect.

In the question-and-answer session, artist Putu Sutawijaya said Sindhunata's stories did not stop inspiring others with its message while at the same time presenting a space for multiple interpretations. "I myself do not always understand the meaning of Romo [Father] Sindhunata's stories. However, that's where the inspiration appears for me to work. Thank you Romo Sindhu," he said.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.