Jakarta, IO – Prominent Indonesian author Cokorda Sawitri, popularly known as Cok Sawitri, has died at the age of 55. She passed away at her residence in Denpasar, Bali, Thursday (4/4).
Cok Sawitri’s friend, I Wayan Redika, said the cultural figure was still healthy and had even traveled from Budakeling to Denpasar, exactly one day before her passing, per Tribunnews, Fri (5/4).
Radika explained that Cok Sawitri was at the time of the death working on a project with Sanggar Maha Bajra Sandhi in the form of a production by Gambuh Sutasoma.
He explained that on Wednesday (3/4), Cok Sawitri came from the training center in Budakeling. On Thursday (4/4) her nephew, who tried to wake her, found out that she was not breathing.
Cok Sawitri was born on September 1, 1968 in Bali. She was known as a prolific poet, author and theater performer. She was also a social activist, often writing essays, novels, short stories, or drama scripts critical of social injustice. She also often participated in various art events at home and overseas.
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Cok Sawitri’s perseverance in her work resulted in her being named Tempo’s 2018 Artists of the Year in the performing arts category. Her novels has been nominated several times for the Khatulistiwa Award, a prestigious award in the world of literacy.
One of her novels was “Sutasoma”, published in June 2009. It made it into top five finalists at the Khatulistiwa Award and won the 2010 Dharmawangsa Award. (un)