In the realm of the gods, when the celestial abode was under attack, Sang Hyang Guru, deeply immersed in meditation, found it difficult to be awakened by the other deities. In a desperate situation, Kamajaya, the god of love, shot an arrow that not only interrupted Sang Hyang Guru’s meditation but also reminded him of his wife. The celestial abode was saved after the attackers were defeated, bringing everything back to normal. Dewi Uma, the wife of Sang Hyang Guru, finally became pregnant and gave birth to Ganesya. However, Kamajaya faced punishment for waking Sang Hyang Guru and was subsequently burned, along with his wife, Dewi Ratih, who willingly joined him in self-immolation.
Karkono Kamajaya, a multifaceted figure—a warrior, journalist, politician, writer, and Javanese cultural expert—emerged with high integrity at the age of 17. Born Karkono Partokusumo on November 23, 1915, in Sumberlawang, Sragen, Central Java, he was raised by his uncle, Ki Sutopo Wonoboyo, a prominent figure in Taman Siswa and leader of the Dutch-language magazine Sara Murti. Despite his early involvement in various educational activities, including journalism, Kamajaya’s career began to unfold during the era of Dutch colonial journalism, Japanese occupation, and the subsequent independence of Indonesia.
Kamajaya played a pivotal role in political movements and became a commissioner of Indonesia Moeda (IM) and Chairman of IM Branch Surakarta from 1933 to 1934, led by the renowned poet Amir Hamzah. He later became a freelance journalist and rose to prominence as the editor of Poestaka Timur Yogyakarta until 1941. His involvement in the arts during the Japanese occupation included leading theater performances at Kebun Binatang Cikini, now Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta.
After Indonesia gained independence, Kamajaya ventured into politics and served as the Chairman of the Regional People’s Consultative Assembly (DPRD) in the Residency of Surakarta and a member of the Constituent Assembly representing the Indonesian National Party (PNI) from 1946 to 1947. He concluded his political career in 1967, shifting his focus to cultural activities after witnessing a deviation from his ideals.
Kamajaya’s immense contributions to Javanese culture include the establishment of the “Panunggalan” Foundation for Science and Culture in 1984. His dedication to preserving and promoting Javanese cultural heritage is exemplified by his 17-year endeavor to transcribe Serat Centini from Javanese script into the Latin alphabet. Additionally, he translated the extensive Javanese encyclopedia, Serat Centhini, into 12 volumes. Kamajaya also authored various books, including the novel “Solo di Waktu Malam” (1950), which introduced local stories to modern readers.
During the Indonesian War of Independence (1945–1949), Kamajaya played a crucial role in supporting the nation’s finances by smuggling 22 tons of opium from Java to Singapore. This trade, initiated on the instructions of Prime Minister Bung Hatta in 1948, generated significant funds for the new Republic of Indonesia, sustaining the country during a critical period.
In his later years, Kamajaya’s dedication to cultural preservation earned him accolades, including the Sang Hyang Kamahayanikan Award presented by the Borobudur Writers & Cultural Festival in 2016. He received recognition from the Yogyakarta Provincial Government in 1992 and the Bintang Jasa Pratama Award from the President of Indonesia in the same year. Kamajaya’s passing on July 5, 2003, marked the end of a remarkable journey, leaving behind a legacy of literature, cultural preservation, and political activism. His burial in the Taman Siswa Wijaya Brata cemetery solidified his place as a key figure in Indonesian history and culture.
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