NOTED POET WS RENDRA PASSES AWAY

Jakarta, Aug 7 (ANTARA) - Indonesian noted poet and culturalist, Willibrordus Surendra Broto Rendra, popularly called W.S Rendra (74), passed away on Thursday (Aug 6) at about 22.05 pm local time after treatments at several hospitals.

Rendra passed away at "Mitra Keluarga" hospital in Depok, West Java province, Andi Subiyakto, one of his close friends told Antara here on Thursday (Aug 6) night, adding that he was once treated at "Harapan Kita" cardiac hospital, and "Mitra Keluarga" hospital in Kelapa Gading, both in Jakarta, due to complications.

Rendra's body was laid in state at his house "Bengkel Teater" (theater workshop) in Depok, Andi Subiyakto said.

Antara learned that Rendra, born in Solo, Central Java province in 1935, was also a movie actor star in the 1970s.

His death followed only two days after the death of Mbah Surip (grandpa Surip), an eccentric oldtime singer who became famous lately because of his entertaining songs.

Mbah Surip who died at the age of 60 was an artist who had dedicated his modest life to art in his own specific way.

Surip with his phenomenal song "Tak Gendong" (I carry on by back) died on his way to a hospital at around 10.30 am.

Mbah Surip whose real name was Urip Ariyanto was born in Mojokerto, East Java, on May 5, 1949, and once received an award from the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) for his longest song in Indonesia.