Ahmad Thohari is one of Indonesia’s Preeminent Writers.

He was born in Banyumas on June 13, 1948. He is married with five children and continues to live with his family in the Banyumas area. He is one Indonesia’s preeminent writers and has published seven novels, three anthologies of political and religious essays, two collection of short stories, and numerous individual short stories and essays. His celebrated trilogy (Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk [A Dancing Girl of Paruk Village], Lintang Kemukus Dini Hari [A Shooting Star at Dawn], and Jantera Bianglala [The Rainbow’s Arc]) have already been translated and published into Dutch, German, Japanese, and Chinese. He is presently completing an English translation with René T.A. Lysloff (UCR) to be published through the Lontar Foundation of Jakarta and distributed through the University of Hawaii Press in 2001. Almost all of his novels and short stories reflect a deep and abiding commitment toward rural Javanese culture, ecology, and social justice. Indeed, Mr. Tohari is one of only a few Indonesian writers who have written stories set against the background of the 1965 Communist uprising and resultant mass killings.

Ahmad Thohari has received several national and international awards for his work, including the Southeast Asian Writers Award and a Fellowship through the International Writers Program in Iowa City. He writes regularly for the Indonesian national newspaper, Suara Merdeka, and the renowned newsmagazine, Tempo. He was staff editor for the Jakarta newspaper, Merdeka (1979-1981), and General Editor for the Indonesian national religious and political magazine, Amanah (1986-1993). In addition to being a writer and political commentator, Mr. Tohari (along with his family) runs an Islamic school (pesantren). He is a highly regarded religious leader and has the title of haj after making the pilgrimage to Mecca. Finally, Mr. Tohari is a well known expert of Javanese folk arts and a consultant for the regional office of the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Education.

Togather with his brother K.H. Ahmad Sobri, Ahmad Thohari running Pondok Pesantren (traditional Islamic boarding school) Al Falah in Jatilawang, Banyumas.