Jit Phumisak, poet, intellectual and revolutionary
Jit Phumisak (Photo: Wikipedia)
He died on the edge of the jungle
Blood spattered all over Isan
His death was worthless
But his name lived on
People wanted to know more about him
The philosopher, the writer
who kindled a light for the people
The above is a song by Surachai Chantimatorn, in the genre of the 'Life song', in memory of Jit Phumisak.
Jit Phumisak (Thai: จิตร ภูมิศักดิ์, pronounced chit phoe:míesàk, also known as Chit Phumisak) graduated from the Faculty of Art, Chulalongkorn University and soon joined the Communist Party. He was a writer and poet who, like many, fled to the jungle to escape persecution. On May 5, 1966, he was arrested in Ban Nong Kung, near Sakon Nakhorn, and immediately executed.
In the years that followed, he remained known to those who fought for justice, freedom and democracy. He supported the rights of students, of the poor, of those who had been excluded and rejected for their independent thinking. His works are still published and his poems are translated into countless songs.
He was born into a humble family on September 25, 1930 in Prachantakham Municipality, Prachin Buri Province. Despite his short life of 36 years, he leaves behind an extensive oeuvre. His book Art for Life argues that art should not just be 'Art' but should serve the people. His most famous work is 'The Real Face of Thai Feudalism Today' written under the pseudonym of Somsamai Srisootarapan in 1957. This book described Thai feudalism in a practical way for the first time, supported by many examples from everyday life. The book changed the view of Thai history and had a clear influence on the Thai community, especially in the years 1965 to 1976. After the mass murder at Thammasaat University on October 6, 1976, the book was banned.
But Jit Phumisak was first and foremost a linguist. He knew Thai, Pali, English and French, and immersed himself in ancient Khmer. with his book The Philology of Words: Siam, Thai, Laotian, Cambodian he earned the title etymologist. He translated the Khmer inscription on the Phimai Stone Castle in Nakhorn Ratchasima.
In 1953 he edited the 'Chulalongkorn Journal'. He himself wrote some articles that dealt with taboo social subjects and denounced certain values. For example, he criticized the 'yellow spirits', monks. He was suspended from his studies for a year.
As a young student he once dared to contradict a noble professor about the meaning of the Khmer word ผอก phòk which led to a lifelong feud.
Not all students appreciated his views. Furious students once threw him down from a podium after a discussion: the arrogance of a misplaced and intolerant nationalism.
During the reign of the strongly pro-American and anti-communist dictator Sarit Thanarat, Jit and many others were arrested on October 20, 1958 for their radical ideas and charged with 'communism'. He took three musical instruments, the kim, the yes-ke and the sorry duang, to Lat Yao Prison where he composed music. He was imprisoned for 6 years before being acquitted. Constantly threatened, he fled 10 months later in 1965 to a communist hearth in Sakon Nakhorn in Isan where he was shot dead on May 5, 1966 when he came down from the camp to buy some food.
It was not until 1989 that his remains were placed in a chedi next to Wat Prasit Sangwon in Sakon Nakhorn (meaning the 'universal city'). At Rajabhat University in that city, a room has been decorated with Jit's works. A much-visited statue also reminds of his life. Commemorations are regularly held there with songs by the band Caravan, Karabao and local groups. The image shows the 50th anniversary of his death with the well-known historian Charnwit Kasetsiri as speaker.
This is his most famous song, with Thai, phonetics and translation:
Starlight of Determination
(Thai: แสงดาวแห่งศรัทธา by จิตร ภูมิศักดิ์ Jit Phumisak
A once
แสง ดวงดาวน้อยสกาว
phrâang phraai sǎeng doeang daaw nói sàkàaw
Brilliant light from a small white star
image
sòng fâak fáa dèen phraaw klai sǎen klai
Staring at the sky it seems far away.
More information
dang khoom thong sòng ruuang rôeng nai hàthài
As a golden lamp shines a radiant rainbow in the heart
More information
mǔuan thong chai sòng nam tchaak hôeang thóek thon
Like the flag that proclaims victory over suffering
More information
phaajóe fáa khruun khòm khóek khraam
Like a threatening rain storm with thunder
image
duuan láp jaam phaen din mûut mòn
Closing the moon, making the land dark and gloomy.
More information
daaw sàttaa jang sòng sǎeng bûuen bon
But above that, the stars of determination continue to shine
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plóek hǒeachai plóek khon jòe míe waai
And they continue to encourage the hearts of the people.
B three times
More information
khǒh jéu jéui thóek jâak
Make fun of those who live in poverty.
more
khwàak nǎam lam kheen
Nail them to suffering and deprivation.
เด่นโดยท้าทาย
khon jang juun dèen thaw tháa thaai
But people remain determined in their resistance.
More information
máe phǔun fáa dap duuen láp lá laai
Even if the dark sky makes the moon disappear
More information
daw jang phraai sat thaa jéui fáa din
The stars still shine, mocking heaven and earth.
C twice
More information
daw jang phraai jòe: chon fáa rôeng raang
The stars still shine until the sun rises.
Thanks to Gringo, who previously wrote an article about Jit, here: www.thailandblog.nl/politics/chit-phumisak/
Here's another article about him from the Bangkok Post: www.bangkokpost.com/print/349828/
About this blogger
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Born in 1944 in Delfzijl as the son of a simple shopkeeper. Studied in Groningen and Curacao. Worked as a doctor in Tanzania for three years, then as a general practitioner in Vlaardingen. A few years before my retirement I married a Thai lady, we had a son who speaks three languages well.
Lived in Thailand for almost 20 years, first in Chiang Kham (Phayao province) then in Chiang Mai where I liked to bother all kinds of Thai with all kinds of questions. Followed Thai extracurricular education after which a diploma of primary school and three years of secondary school. Did a lot of volunteer work. Interested in the Thai language, history and culture. Have been living in the Netherlands for 5 years now together with my son and often with his Thai girlfriend.
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Thank you Tino, wonderful history about that poet and composer Jit Phumisak, who has set things in motion in Thailand.
What a charming song too. I enjoy it.