ITB presents award to Pak Raden

Who, me?: Rector of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Akhmaloka, congratulates Suyadi, the inventor of the puppet Si Unyil that became a hit television series in the 1980s, after handing over the Ganesa Widya Jasa Utama, for being a pioneer in the animation industry. The award was presented during celebrations marking the ITB’s 53rd anniversary at the campus on Tuesday. (JP/Arya Dipa)

Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) Rector Akhmaloka presented on Tuesday the Ganesa Widya Jasa Utama award to Suyadi, who created characters at the puppet show Si Unyil.

“I did not dream of getting such an award,” said Suyadi, who also personalizes one of the characters, the mustachioed Pak Raden, at a ceremony to commemorate the 92nd anniversary of engineering education.

ITB vice rector for communication, partnership and alumni, Hasanuddin Z. Abidin, said that the award was given to Indonesians and foreigners who had contributed deeds and thoughts to science, technology and arts.

“Not many people realize that Pak Suryadi or Pak Raden are alumni of ITB’s school of fine arts and design,” he said before the awarding ceremony.

“The award was given to him as a pioneer in the animation industry. He is also a true story teller.”

In addition to Suyadi, ITB also conferred the awards to 17 other people.

Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, West Java Provincial Secretary Lex Laskamana received Ganesa Prajamanggala Bakti Utama; Erry Riyana Hardjapamekas, Pertamina president director Karen Agustiawan received Ganesa Wirya Jasa Utama; while the Ganesa Widya Jasa Utama was given to Dian Wadiani Syarief, founder of Syamsi Dhuha Foundation which handles people with Lupus; F. Silaban, the architect of Istiqlal Mosque; and Martha Tilaar who develops traditional Indonesian cosmetics.

“Actually, there were more people who were nominated to receive the awards, but after several considerations, we gave the awards to 18 people,” Hasanuddin said. (nvn)