UNAIR NEWS – Learning does not have to be in the classroom. The sentence seems appropriate to describe the passion of Andri Setyo Nugroho in studying the History of Ancient Java, especially during the Hindu-Buddhist period. He also often participated in activities related to Nusantara Culture, such as community events and seminars.
Last July, the student of Historical Studies, Faculty of Humanities Universitas Airlangga, had the opportunity to gain knowledge in intensive international courses. The activity was organized by the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (NLI) with École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO) and supported by the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), one of the core members of PSL Research University, Paris.
“Before taking this course, I was active in Komunitas Tapak Jejak Kerajaan (Kingdom History Community ) which studies the Hindu-Buddhist Kingdoms based on inscription sources. So I also studied the Pre-Pallawa script, but as it has become a hobby, it is not difficult for me to understand them, “explained Andri.
According to Andri, the focus of Historical Studies at UNAIR is more on urban studies. It is what drives him to look for activities off campus to enrich his understanding of the History of Ancient Java. Although in the second semester there was a course in Indonesian History about the Age of Nirleka, Andri felt that he had not mastered enough of it because he intends to take research with a similar topic for his thesis.
“I got the information about the course from the community. Then I started to find out on the National Library’s website, then ventured to take part in the selection by sending curriculum vitae, essays containing motivation to take courses, and future projections. Luckily, I was able to qualify, “said the young man born in Magetan.
The course took place for over two weeks from 21 July to 3 August at Cangkringan Jogja Villa & Spa in Yogyakarta, Central Java. Interestingly, Andri became the youngest participant considering that most of the other participants had finished their undergraduate degrees. They all have educational backgrounds in literature, archeology, or researchers from a research institute such as the National Archeological Research Center and National Library.
“This course aims to train young philologists while strengthening international collaboration. A total of 25 participants in the basic class and 10 in the advanced class will be intensively trained by a team of Ancient Javanese philologists with the English-Indonesian instruction, “explained the head of UNAIR History students’ association.
In basic classes, courses were focused on Ancient Javanese Grammar from Parwa and Kakawin texts, while in the advanced class, reading options in the form of text Kakawin, Tutur, and Inscription were offered. Andri met many researchers such as Prof. Dr. Arlo Griffiths (EFEO), Dr. Andrea Acri (EPHE), Prof. Dr. Thomas Hunter (University of British Columbia), Agung Kriswanto (National Library) and Yosephin Apriastuti Rahayu (UGM).
“There were participants from Bali, Jakarta, Sumatra, Thailand, Myanmar, US, and Japan, but it was not too difficult to get along because some can speak Indonesian. Then we also studied Adiparwa, Ramayana, kidung and kakawin characteristics. There was also mangidung material, which was a kakawin from Bali, “added Andri.
Andri emphasized that learning about Ancient Java is not difficult. It would be even easier if we are close to Javanese culture. The key is learning intentions because it has been proven that foreigners also have an interest and even understand the topic. He advised the local community not to be inferior to foreigners, especially in terms of preserving Indonesian culture. (*)
Author: Nabila Amelia
Editor: Feri Fenoria Rifa’i
