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Veteran comedian laid to rest
In the last days of his life, veteran comedian Timbul Suhardi said he was tired of the hospital and wanted to go home to rest
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In the last days of his life, veteran comedian Timbul Suhardi said he was tired of the hospital and wanted to go home to rest. His wish was granted: He did go home and get his rest, but an eternal one in God's sanctuary.
"Dad asked us many times to bring him back home. He said, *Please, take me home ... I'm tired ... I want my rest'," said Teguh Sunardi, Timbul's son.
On Thursday March 26, a few hours after his final request, Timbul left his beloved family, friends and fans, at the age of 66.
Timbul, his son said, had been suffering from diabetes, high cholesterol and hyperuricemia, and had been receiving treatment at Pelni Hospital in West Jakarta for around two months.
Timbul's wife Sukarti said her husband always looked worried during his hospital stay.
"*My husband* got angry every time we left his room. He didn't want to be left alone," Sukarti said. "He had never been that way; he had always been independent."
Born in Magelang, Central Java, on Dec. 28, 1942, Timbul brought laughter to millions of people through the various characters he played during his career as a member of renowned traditional comedy group Srimulat.
It was Timbul who, through his iconic humorous style, first made the famous slang term "akan tetapi" (but if) popular. He also popularized the words "uenak tenan" (so good).
With the true blood of comedians running in his veins, Timbul was raised in a family that made a living from the traditional comedic performing art ketoprak. His father Djumadi led a ketoprak wayang orang traveling theater troupe, Margo Utomo.
He started his career with several ketoprak traveling theater troupes in Central Java before joining Srimulat in 1979. In 1983, Timbul was appointed a director of the group, but left it three years later because of the small remuneration.
But Timbul did not leave the group's circle of friends.
In 1998, he co-founded the Samiaji Art Community Foundation with several former members of Srimulat. The foundation produced several comedy shows, including Ketoprak Humor, which was aired on TV. The show was a great success and was named the most popular show at the 2000 Panasonic Awards.
The father of six has left his loving friends, family and fans with a wealth of fond memories.
"He was more than just a friend to me; he was like my own father," Srimulat comedian Nunung said in tears.
Famous comedian Tukul Arwana recalled the wonderful day when Timbul asked him to share the stage.
"I was nobody at that time, but he asked me to perform with him," Tukul said. "I was only too happy to receive Rp 750,000 from him."
JP/Dian Kuswandini
