Arifin C. Noer, a celebrated Indonesian literary figure, renowned for his multifaceted talents as a poet, theater director, and film producer, entered the world on March 10, 1941. His academic pursuits led him to enroll in Civil Administration at Cokroaminoto University, located in the cultural hub of Yogyakarta, Central Java, where he laid the foundation for his future endeavors. In the early 1960s, Arifin C. Noer embarked on his theatrical career, initially as an actor within a study group, alongside the esteemed W.S. Rendra, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey that would shape his artistic identity.
After successfully completing his academic degree in the year 1967, Noer made the bold decision to relocate to the bustling city of Jakarta, where he went on to establish Teater Kecil, a pioneering laboratory that served as a hub for a collective of actors to engage in innovative experimentation and exploration of the workshop model, with a profound emphasis on fostering a holistic approach that considered the entirety of the individual, drawing inspiration from the esteemed W.S. Rendra, yet Noer's distinct approach lay in its focus on the meticulous cultivation of acting skills.
Noted playwright and director, Noer, made a lasting impact on the world of theater and film, leaving behind a vast array of original plays, with his most renowned work being the 1970 production of Kapai-Kapai.
Throughout his illustrious career, Noer's screenplays have garnered widespread recognition, earning him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Golden Harvest trophy for Best Dialogue at the esteemed Film Festival Asia in 1972, for his exceptional work on the film Pemberang.
The remarkable oeuvre of Noer, renowned playwright, has been masterfully translated into a multitude of languages, including the widely spoken English, the sophisticated French, the nuanced Swedish, and the increasingly prominent Chinese.
Throughout the early 1970s, Noer had the esteemed opportunity to participate in the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop, a world-renowned international writing program based in the United States. This notable experience spanned a period of two years, from 1972 to 1973, allowing Noer to hone his craft, engage with fellow writers, and absorb the rich literary traditions of the program.
In the year 1990, a significant milestone was reached in the career of Noer, as he was bestowed the prestigious S.E.A. Write Award, a testament to his outstanding literary skills and contributions to the world of writing.
Just two short years later, in 1992, Noer's film, Bibir Mer, was submitted for consideration by the Indonesian government as a potential contender for the esteemed Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, a remarkable achievement that solidified his position as a prominent figure in the Indonesian film industry.
Notable among Noer's literary endeavors are his poetic compositions, specifically the 1979 publication "Selamat Pagi Jajang", which showcased his mastery of the craft, and a posthumous collection of poetry, "Nyanyian Sepi", released in 1995, offering readers a poignant glimpse into his artistic legacy.
The renowned Indonesian author, Arifin C. Noer, sadly departed from this mortal coil on the twenty-eighth day of May, in the year nineteen hundred and ninety-five.
