Leon Agusta

A poet. Came from a family of educators, his father was a teacher and a religious leader. Leon followed his father’s path for some time by leaving Sigiran to be a teacher in accordance with the tradition of merantau – leaving one’s hometown to work toward success. He also served as a reporter at Padang’s Haluan newspaper, Jamal wrote. However, Leon, whose real name is Ridwan Ilyas, left the profession due to journalism’s nature of prioritizing fact over art and imagination. His career in literature became a prolific one. Leon’s published books include Catatan Putih, published in 1975, Di Bawah Bayangan Sang Kekasih, published in 1978 and Hukla, published in 1979. He participated in the International Writing Program in Iowa City in the United States in 1974. He is also known as the leader of the Bengkel Teater Kota Padang theater group from 1972 to 1974.

His latest book of poems is Gendang Pengembara, which reflects his wanderings, or explorations of poetry and literature throughout the decades of his career.¹

1. The Jakarta Post ↩