Putu Wijaya

Putu Wijaya, hailing from Puri Anom, Tabanan, Bali, is a versatile artist with a diverse range of talents. After completing his education at Singaraja public school in North Bali, he pursued a law degree at the prestigious Gadjah Mada University. Alongside his academic pursuits, Putu also attended the Indonesian Arts and Drama Academy as well as the Indonesian Visual Arts Academy. His career in journalism took off after graduation, with stints at prominent magazines such as Ekspres, Tempo, Zaman, and Warisan Indonesia. In 1971, he founded the Teater Mandiri troupe and continues to actively contribute to the group’s endeavors. Putu’s creative pursuits extend to writing across various mediums, including stage plays, film scenarios, novels, short stories, essays, poetry, and columns. His artistic expression also extends to the visual arts, often collaborating with his wife Dewi Pramunawati and son I Gusti Ngurah Taksu Wijaya in painting endeavors. Among his notable literary works is the acclaimed novel Telegram. Putu’s exceptional talent in screenplay writing has been recognized with the prestigious Piala Citra award, Indonesia’s equivalent of the Academy Awards, which he has won three times.

Putu Wijaya lahir di Puri Anom, Tabanan, Bali, pada 11 April 1944. Putra ketiga dari pasangan I Gusti Ngurah Raka & Mekel Erwati. Tamat dari SMAN Singaraja, kuliah hukum di UGM, sambil nyambi di ASDRAFI dan ASRI. Lulus kuliah, Putu kemudian hijrah ke Jakarta bekerja di majalah Ekspres, Tempo, Zaman, dan Warisan Indonesia. Ia mendirikan Teater Mandiri pada 1971 dan tetap aktif sampai sekarang. Disamping teater Putu membuat film, sinetron, menulis lakon, skenario, novel, cerpen, esai, puisi dan kolom sambil melukis bersama istrinya, Dewi Pramunawati dan puteranya I Gusti Ngurah Taksu Wijaya. Novel Pak Putu Wijaya yang populer salah satunya Telegram. Putu Wijaya juga pernah meraih penghargaan penulis skenario terbaik dan mendapatkan Piala Citra sebanyak tiga kali.