Chairil Anwar

["Poet", "Pioneer of Indonesian Modernism", "Generation of 45"]

Born Jul 26, 1922

Medan (North Sumatra), Dutch East Indies

Passed Away Apr 28, 1949 Jakarta, Indonesia

Lifespan 26 years old

1 views

Notice / Correction

"I am a wild beast, wounded, cast out from its herd; even if bullets pierce my skin, I will charge and rage until pain and poison vanish."

Archival Overview

Indonesian poet who spearheaded the 'Generation of 45' (Angkatan 45), liberating Indonesian poetry from archaic Malay poetic forms with intense, raw existential free verse.

Biographical Record

Chairil Anwar (1922–1949) moved to Jakarta during the Japanese occupation, leading a bohemian life dedicated entirely to revolutionary poetry. His 1943 poem 'Aku' ('I') shocked traditionalists with its fierce individual defiance: 'I am a wild beast cast out from its herd... I want to live another thousand years.'

Anwar authored around seventy poems before his untimely death at twenty-six. His sparse, vital, and rhythmically electric verse laid the foundations of modern Indonesian national poetry, earning him the title of Indonesia's national poet.

Key Life Milestones

1943

Composition of 'Aku'

Penned the defining manifesto poem of modern Indonesian individual freedom and defiance.

1949

Deru Campur Debu

Published his major posthumous poetry collection capturing the revolutionary spirit of 1945.

Memorial Guestbook & Tributes

0 messages recorded

Leave a Respectful Tribute

Select a sentiment or reaction (optional):

Rest in Peace Forever remembered and cherished Your legacy lives on in all of us With deep gratitude for your life and light

Your Name / Title *

Your Email (Private, for anti-abuse)

Tribute Message *

No tributes recorded yet. Be the first to leave a message in honor of Chairil Anwar.

Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Karet Bivak Cemetery
Jakarta, Indonesia

                         GPS: -6.2038, 106.8171                    

View on Memory Atlas

Archival Standards PastLegacies adheres to strict neutral biographical guidelines and legal standards of remembrance. Next-of-kin may request modifications or removal at any time via our expedited process.

Read Governance Policy →