Tuti Indra Malaon

Tuti Indra Malaon was an Indonesian actress, dancer, and lecturer who starred in several films by Teguh Karya. She was also a cultural ambassador, a drama teacher, a member of the People's Consultative Assembly, and a journalist for Zaman magazine. She was born with the name Pudjiastuti Suratno on 1 December 1939 in Jakarta, which was then part of the Dutch East Indies. She was the sixth of ten children born to Suratno Sastroamidjojo, a Javanese civil servant, and his wife. She developed an interest in dancing at the age of three, after watching traditional gamelan and dance performances at the home of a family friend. As her father was restationed, the family often moved around Java. On 17 August 1950, during Independence Day celebrations, she performed for President Sukarno at the presidential palace. She also visited Japan, China, and the Soviet Union as a cultural envoy. She enrolled in a dance school, but later dropped out. In 1959, she began her studies at the English Literature program of the University of Indonesia, paying her way by working at an insurance agency. She also became involved with theatre, receiving her first role in a play by Utuy Tatang Sontani. She graduated in 1965, having married Indra Malaon during her studies. That year she joined Teguh Karya's Popular Theatre, and in 1966 had her first child, Meike. She became a lecturer on drama at the university in 1968, having taken the time to study African American and absurd theatre. Also, in 1968 she had her second child, Reita. She made her feature-film debut in Teguh Karya's 1971 work Wadjah Seorang Laki-laki (Ballad of a Man). This was followed by Kawin Lari (Elope) in 1973, Perkawinan Semusim (A Season's Marriage) in 1975, Neraca Kasih (Love's Scale) in 1982, Putri Seorang Jenderal (Daughter of a General) in 1983, Seandainya Aku Boleh Memilih (If I Could Choose) in 1984, Ibunda (Mother) in 1986, Perisai Kasih yang Terkoyak (Torn Shield of Love) in 1986, Cintaku di Rumah Susun (My Love at the House) in 1987, and Pacar Ketinggalan Kereta (Boyfriend Left Behind by the Train) in 1989. She won two Citra Awards for Best Leading Actress at the Indonesian Film Festival for her roles in Ibunda and Pacar Ketinggalan Kereta. She was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Neraca Kasih. In October 1985, her husband died after being struck by a bus. He was the head judge of the Bogor city court. In October 1986, she was chosen as a member of the People's Consultative Assembly, representing artists and creative workers. She was only told of her appointment two weeks before her inauguration. She also worked as a journalist for Zaman magazine, covering social and cultural issues. She was diagnosed with Hepatitis B in 1979, and suffered from liver problems for the rest of her life. She received treatment for internal bleeding in January 1989, from which she seemingly recovered fully. However, on 15 September 1989 she was checked into Dr. Mintohardjo Hospital, once again for internal bleeding, and died five days later. She was buried at Jalan Kramat Raya in Jakarta. She was survived by her three children, Meike, Ridha, and Reita. Meike became a TV presenter in the 1990s.