Bambang Harsrinuksmo

[ganjawulung]

Dear All,

This is not about keris, but about a man who had given his part of his life for this keris world. Yes, he had passed away three years ago, even only a couple months before the launching of his lifetime book, Keris Ensiklopedi (2004).

I knew him personally since 1996, when I and my colleague organized a Tosan Aji Exhibition (including keris) in Bentara Budaya, Jakarta. As what people talk about him, according to me he was a humble man with so much works. A silent person with no commercial interest. He was living with keris, but not earned much his living from keris. And of course, he was not trading with keris, or commissioning kerises somewhere, and then selling those kerises somewhere else with higher price… Not at all.

The monumental of his work for Indonesian keris? Yes, he is the one who urge a Madurese (Mr Jaknal) to build the first “besalen” for making kerises in Madura, in early 70s. The only one besalen, among hundreds of pandai besi – who made cangkul and any kinds of agricultural tools – existing in Madura in early 70s. But now? So many besalen, and so many pandai besi in Madura turn their lives to earn living on making kerises. Keris industry is developping in Madura now…

He was a journalist, but since 1983 spent all his life in writing and writing books. And the most spectacular work of him, is the six volumes of Ensiklopedi Wayang which was published by Yayasan Senawangi (2000). He had made this 3.000 pages Ensiklopedi almost all alone: from data collecting, making interviews, writing the data in his computers, making layout of his Ensiklopedi, making the graphic illustration (he was a good graphic painter too), and even … salesman for his own Ensiklopedi… It was a culmination of his 11 years of works, since 1989.

Did he earn much from this spectacular book? Not at all. From the first edition of 1.000 sets of Ensiklopedi Wayang, he only got honorarium of 60 million rupiahs, or as valuable as 5.000 euros. Thus, if he had spent 11 years in writing this book with tears, then his “salary” for working this Ensiklopedi was only around 37 euros per month!

On Ensiklopedi Keris in 2004? Except 6 pages of Mr Suwarsono Lumintu writing, Bambang had been “building” this Ensiklopedi almost all alone: 600 pages with around 2.000 entries. For how long? Almost 20 years of his life. Though not a perfect work, but at least this ensiklopedi is still becoming one of keris reference. And the first book on keris with the format of simple Encyclopaedia, or kind of Keris Vocabulary…

At least he had written five books on keris. One of them, is “Dapur Keris” (1981) by Pusat Keris Jakarta, reprinted three times and 3.000 copies each. Other books, “Pamor Keris” (1983), four times reprinted with total 12.000 copies. “Tanya Jawab Soal Keris” (Ask and Answer on Keris) also 1983, four times reprinted with 3.000 copies each print. And also, “Mengungkap Rahasia Isi Keris” (Revealing The Secret of Keris’ Spirit) by Pustaka Grafikatama 1986, three times reprinted too with each print of 3.000 copies.

Beside Ensiklopedi Budaya Nasional (the first edition of the Ensiklopedi) which was copied by so many keris lover – because of only limited edition – Bambang also wrote small book such “Cara Praktis Merawat Keris” (Practical Guide to Maintain Kerises).

So? His life is not a farce at all, for this keris world…

Ganjawulung