UNAIR NEWS – “The sense of language presented in literary works has often hypnotized its readers. The historical track record in the work of fiction makes others understand what has happened in the past, “said Sri Ratnawati, lecturer of Indonesian Literature at the Faculty of Humanities Universitas Airlangga when explaining the importance of learning literature.
The woman known as Ratna is one of the lecturers at FIB who loves literature. For her, literature is a representation of life in this world. Whatever happens to human life, it has been plainly illustrated in literary works.
According to a lecturer who once published a scientific journal entitled Dialectics of Hindu-Javanese Islam in Mi’raj Book, it is necessary to know that there is a work which packs three cultures in one container, the coastal literature. There is Hindu, Javanese, and Islamic culture in it.
Islam was spread over through the works of literature. Many literary works are deliberately created to teach about Islam. Ratna said, through the works of coastal literature, the spread of Islam becomes more effective.
“Moreover, coastal literature wrapped Islam with previous tradition,” added Ratna.
During interview, Madurese lecturer said that Islam was not anti-tradition, but it tolerates the traditions before Islam came. Of course, the adopted tradition was done by using new styles.
Ratna said that a figure written in the coastal literature has led to the names of Islam. However, some still mention the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, for example, the names of gods and goddesses, heavenly characters, and other traditions. Therefore coastal literature is one of the tools used to represent the ancients in terms of tolerance toward others.
“Obviously, the former people has more flexible view towards the outside world than modern people today,” said a lecturer who is doing research on Madura fairy tales.
Ratna added, when Islam began to color religion in the archipelago, Hindu-Buddhist tradition is not necessarily immediately eliminated. But they wrapped Islam nicely so it can be more easily disseminated and accepted by the general public.
“Islam has never denied an older tradition. This kind of history needs to be studied by everyone, not just people who are excited in the field of culture alone, so each person can appreciate every difference that exists on this earth, “said Ratna.
“The literature never lies. Whatever written is real. Although literature is packed in the form of fiction, but it is from the reality, “added Ratna.
Ratna said, coastal literature does not talk about black and white or right and wrong. However, this literature describes how the consequences for good people and bad people, as well as right and wrong deeds.
As an academic, Ratna has hope for the general public, especially the youth, to love more literature. Because of literature, the world can be seen in a moment.
“Literature always provides moral lessons for better life, and tells us how the former people deal with the problem non-emotionally,” said Ratna at the end of the interview. (*)
Author: Ainul Fitriyah
Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh
