Those are beautiful editions! For now, I only rely on the internet, but hopefully I can secure a printed copy for myself. These poems really wrecked me.

This thread was written from the pos that I wrote for Tolkien Reading Day 2024. As a granddaughter of a disillusioned Indonesian army veteran, I did a deep personal reflection for this theme. Perhaps I will expand some elements from this in a future post! putri2wotan.wordpress.com/2024/03/26/s...

Also, around the publication time of "The Lord of the Rings", Usmar Ismail released "After the Curfew" (Lewat Djam Malam). Despite being released shortly after Indonesia's independence, the film eschewed patriotic fervor and chose to portray the disillusionment of a returning war veteran. 6/6

Disillusionment among returning veterans, like what Sador and Gwindor experienced, was reflected on Pramoedya Ananta Toer's "It’s Not an All Night Fair" (1951). This page showed the lament of an Indonesian revolutionary veteran, struggling amidst the post-war corruption and wealth disparity. 5/6

I saw similarities between the poems of Siegfried Sassoon and Mosab Abu Toha. In "Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear: Poems from Gaza", Abu Toha bridges the gap between public perception and the stark realities on the ground. Their poems read like words that poured out from open wounds. 4/6

Tolkien's view about war and his depictions of characters like Frodo, Sador, Gwindor, and Faramir reflected the gap between "war glory" and its harsh reality, and the disillusionment among veterans. Sassoon's war poems also became angrier and grittier after he saw the battlefield. 3/6

Frodo’s experiences are often used as a reflection of post-war shock and disillusionment. He lost his sense of taste, alienated from everyone even during joyful events, plagued by nightmares, and his memories turned into torture. Sassoon's "Repression of War Experience" reflected such trauma. 2/6

Oh, I believe that was the more classic, reserved Balinese gamelan compared to kebyar. Starting from the classic, of course! A lot of gamelan groups abroad play Javanese style, I think. Just recently I discovered Indra Swara, a group based in Mexico, and they play both Javanese and Sundanese styles.

Love those collections! It's nice to have actual music as a book bonus. And that was such a great experience. What instruments did you learn in those lessons?

Sometimes I listen to Balinese rindik (bamboo xylophones) since it's more relaxing than the gamelan, especially if the rindik is combined with flute. Some rindik artists/groups I've listened to are Edi Bud, Sekehe Rindik Sanur, and I Gusti Made Kecog. And I'm curious about your CDs!

I have some ideas from my playlist! This Bandung-based group, L.S Kancana Sari, play relaxing, no-nonsense, classical Sundanese degung. Karawitan Condhong Raos group play a slightly more dynamic Banyumasan style. For sape, I'm currently into Uyau Moris' instrumental albums: Solo Sape and Sao Songe.

📷: Ivu Visual for Wikimedia (1,2), Iswahyura Putra Wasisa (3), Zenvan Duwi Santoso (4), Munfarid/Payied for Wikimedia (5), Yusuf Nugros (6)

During Perang Obor, villages hit each other with torches made of dried coconut fronds and banana leaves until only one left standing. This rite usually follows the great harvest and is accompanied by other rites like pilgrimage to the ancestors' graves and the washing of heirloom weapons. 2/2

The illustration of the cover is the reproduction of "Sabra and Shatila Massacre" (1982-1983), ink and wax crayon on canvas, by Dia al-Azzawi.

Thank you! I love sharing them and glad that you enjoy them too 💕

Tolkien described the dream as a great wave swallowing the landscape. He stopped having these dreams after writing it down. The smong verse was composed after 1907 tsunami, and later saved thousands of Simeulue islanders during 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. 2/2

🎨: Ted Nasmith
📷: Wawan H. Prabowo