"To pay respect & tribute to the elders and ancestors."
INDO HALL OF FAME
Beb Vuyk; Tjalie Robinson; Eddy du Perron ; Frits Dahler; Dick de Hoog; Karel Zaalberg; E.Douwes Dekker; Andy Tielman; Rob Nieuwenhuys; Wieteke van Dort; Couperus; Adriaan Van Dis.
Beb Vuyk; Tjalie Robinson; Eddy du Perron ; Frits Dahler; Dick de Hoog; Karel Zaalberg; E.Douwes Dekker; Andy Tielman; Rob Nieuwenhuys; Wieteke van Dort; Couperus; Adriaan Van Dis.
To go to the online biography browse INDO biographies on this website.
Tjalie Robinson
All original Dutch language work available online: DBNL
Tjalie Robinson (1911-1974) is the main alias of the Indo (Eurasian) intellectual and writer Jan Boon (born Nijmegen, 10 January 1911; died The Hague, 22 April 1974) also known as Vincent Mahieu. A unique Indo author Tjalie Robinson became the most influential post war Indo activist of his generation and the most important promoter of Indo culture anywhere. If anyone can be called the post colonial leader of the Indo community it is Tjalie Robinson. In his essay "Sweet Java, about Tjalie Robinson." Rudy Kousbroek, one of the Netherlands' foremost essayists, simply called him "one of the greatest Dutch writers". His aim as cultural guardian was to preserve Indo culture for the future or as he put it himself: "To create living monuments for an immortal past.". Today Robinson is still the best read Dutch author in Indonesia.
Part of his literary legacy is the fact that he wrote much of his work in the Indo mix language called Petjok, also known as petjo or pecuk, giving it a status that it never had in the Dutch East Indies and providing academic linguistic research a substantial database. His work varies between the melancholy reminiscence of the Indos in diaspora, caught in the term Tempo Doeloe, the positioning of post-colonial Indo identity and the study of a global Eurasian cultural domain. His greatest achievement as described by Kousbroek may have been that he was: "...the only one that has restored their (Indo) self respect and granted us insight into their culture and has written about it with the hand of a master."
In 2008 Wim Willems published his biography: Tjalie Robinson, Indo writer and in 2009 his compiled letters Writing with your fists, Tjalie Robinsons letters for which the author received the literary award 'Witte Prijs' in 2010.
In 2009 commemorating Tjalie Robinson's death 35 years ago a modern multi-media theater play based on his stories was performed in Bandung and Jakarta, Indonesia. In 2011 the Tong Tong Fair remains an annual event in the Hague and will present this play (Cuk & Cis) in the Netherlands.
The 'American Tong Tong' magazine, renamed 'The Indo' lives on to this day with Rene Creutzburg as editor and publisher, who in 2007 was awarded a Royal ribbon in the 'Order of Orange-Nassau' for his efforts over the past 44 years. This Dutch and English language magazine is still an official body of the Indo Community Center 'De Soos', established by Tjalie Robinson in 1963.
Part of his literary legacy is the fact that he wrote much of his work in the Indo mix language called Petjok, also known as petjo or pecuk, giving it a status that it never had in the Dutch East Indies and providing academic linguistic research a substantial database. His work varies between the melancholy reminiscence of the Indos in diaspora, caught in the term Tempo Doeloe, the positioning of post-colonial Indo identity and the study of a global Eurasian cultural domain. His greatest achievement as described by Kousbroek may have been that he was: "...the only one that has restored their (Indo) self respect and granted us insight into their culture and has written about it with the hand of a master."
In 2008 Wim Willems published his biography: Tjalie Robinson, Indo writer and in 2009 his compiled letters Writing with your fists, Tjalie Robinsons letters for which the author received the literary award 'Witte Prijs' in 2010.
In 2009 commemorating Tjalie Robinson's death 35 years ago a modern multi-media theater play based on his stories was performed in Bandung and Jakarta, Indonesia. In 2011 the Tong Tong Fair remains an annual event in the Hague and will present this play (Cuk & Cis) in the Netherlands.
The 'American Tong Tong' magazine, renamed 'The Indo' lives on to this day with Rene Creutzburg as editor and publisher, who in 2007 was awarded a Royal ribbon in the 'Order of Orange-Nassau' for his efforts over the past 44 years. This Dutch and English language magazine is still an official body of the Indo Community Center 'De Soos', established by Tjalie Robinson in 1963.
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E. du PerronCharles Edgar du Perron (1899-1940), more commonly known as E. du Perron, and more amicably known as Eddy du Perron was the most revered Dutch language poet and author of Indo-European (Eurasian) descent. Best known for his literary acclaimed master piece ‘Land van herkomst’ (Land of origin) of 1935. He was a highly influential literary critic in the DEI and founded the influential literary magazine Forum in 1932. Du Perron was a personal friend of the famous French writer and politician Andre Malraux when he lived in Europe.
In DEI he became a highly influential literary critic at the ‘Bataviaasch Nieuwsblad’ ('Batavian Newspaper'), where he befriended his fellow Indo colleagues Karel Zaalberg (chief editor) and Ernest Douwes Dekker . In his role as critic he also became the patron of the young Indo author Beb Vuyk. He sympathised with the Indies independence movement and became a close friend to Indonesian intellectual and independence leader Sutan Sjahrir. Du Perrons masterpiece Land of Origin (1935) is strongly influenced by Multatuli and his friend Malraux, but rather it is a work that stands alone in Dutch literature as a true autobiographical novel. The freshness of du Perrons observations and the liveliness of his imagination makes ‘Land of origin’ among the best Dutch novels of the twentieth century. To this day there is a E. du Perron Society and an annual E. du Perron Prize . |
L. CouperusLouis Marie-Anne Couperus (1863–1923) is one of the foremost authors in the history Dutch literature. Born in The Hague of an old colonial family, his grandfather was the Governor-General of Dutch Malacca in the VOC era, Couperus spent much of his youth in the Dutch East Indies. "I was a child born in Holland, but with the Indies traditions in mind and spirit." "I feel warmer, sunnier and more oriental than my fellow Dutch compatriots."
His work is often compared to his international contemporaries Emile Zola, Gustaf Flaubert and Oscar Wilde. Couperus masterpieces include his debut book 'Eline Vere', 'Of old people and the Things that Pass' and his most Indies influenced work ' De Stille Kracht' translated to the 'Hidden Force'. Many of his bookcovers were desinged by his friend the Indo artist Jan Toorop. |
Indo Hall of Fame
The above Indo Hall of Fame includes Indo individuals that have reached the status of an icon and/or have made unprecendented contributions to the Indo community and/or Indo culture. Most have a historically proven reputation, the list however also includes Indos that have become legend in their own lifetime. Andy Tielman's uncanny talent made him the undisputed leader of the music genre named Indorock and through that role the godfather of Dutch pop music. Wieteke van Dort created the iconic character named Tante Lien. With her prime time Tv show called the 'Late Late Lien Show' she made Indo culture popular and available for the masses for the first time ever.
Rob Nieuwenhuys is the Nestor of Indies Literature. With his Magnus Opus (Mirror of the Indies: A History of Dutch Colonial Literature - translated to English in 1999) he almost single handedly carved out a dedicated place for Indies literature from the overall body of Dutch literature. There he gave all the other authors in the above Hall of Fame their respect due. Including the author Beb Vuyk who is added here for her additional role in introducing the Indies Cuisine to the Netherlands.
Rob Nieuwenhuys is the Nestor of Indies Literature. With his Magnus Opus (Mirror of the Indies: A History of Dutch Colonial Literature - translated to English in 1999) he almost single handedly carved out a dedicated place for Indies literature from the overall body of Dutch literature. There he gave all the other authors in the above Hall of Fame their respect due. Including the author Beb Vuyk who is added here for her additional role in introducing the Indies Cuisine to the Netherlands.
Adriaan van Dis
In a wide range of his best seller books Van Dis exquisitely describes the trials and tribulation of first and second generation repatriates. Like fellow Indo author Marion Bloem his storytelling is based in old Malay and Pecok verbal traditions. His award winning stories evoke the great sense of displacement and rife antitheses that affects generations of Indos. (Books: My Father's War, Repatriated a novel in sixty scenes and Nathan Sid. }
As an awardwining television maker Van Dis finally visits the country he knows so well from stories told by his family. Below you will find episode 1 of the television series 'Van Dis In Indonesia' (2012) that put both Indonesia and the Indies back in Dutch living rooms. (Dutch and Indonesian language with Dutch subtitles). All episodes: http://programma.vpro.nl/vandisinindonesie/afleveringen.html / https://www.npo.nl/van-dis-in-indonesie/POMS_S_VPRO_113345
As an awardwining television maker Van Dis finally visits the country he knows so well from stories told by his family. Below you will find episode 1 of the television series 'Van Dis In Indonesia' (2012) that put both Indonesia and the Indies back in Dutch living rooms. (Dutch and Indonesian language with Dutch subtitles). All episodes: http://programma.vpro.nl/vandisinindonesie/afleveringen.html / https://www.npo.nl/van-dis-in-indonesie/POMS_S_VPRO_113345
Alfred Birney Alfred brought back the colonial war with a literary thunder stroke. With this book he exposes some of the most gruel realities of the decolonialisation and solidifies his position as contemporary Indo icon.
It is our great pleasure to bestow upon him a well earned place in the Indo Hall of Fame. dd. 2017 |
INDO celebrities
List of notable Indos
Authors - Indo 1.0Dermout,
Maria Dermout (Pekalongan 1888-1962) Author of the two novels: The Ten Thousand Things (De tienduizend dingen 1955) her idiosyncratic masterpiece and Days Before Yesterday — also published as Just Yesterday (Nog pas gisteren 1951). There are English translations of her novels by Hans Koning. Some of her short stories were published in translation in magazines such as Vogue during the 1960s.
Lin Scholte (Badujajar 1921-1997) Frank Neijndorff (Surabaya 1929-2006) Paula Gomes (Batavia 1932) Dane Beerling (Cimahi 1934) Painter, pecok writer and performer. More info on his website: www.TjabeRawit.nl |
Sudah, laat maar...Paula Gomes, author of the book:
'Let It Be' (1975) This is the personal story of a woman's return to Indonesia, the country where she was born and which she was forced to leave under dramatic circumstances following the Japanese Occupation and the Indonesian War of Independence. The account of her return, interspersed with her war and occupation experiences, shows how closely past and present are intertwined. Translated to English by Margaret M. Alibasah, the book is part of a trilogy entitled "Tropenkind" (Child of the Tropics). |
Authors - Indo 2.0Yvonne Keuls (Batavia 1931)
Ernst Jansz (Amsterdam 1948) Alfred Birney (The Hague 1951) Marion Bloem (Arnhem 1952) Jill Stolk (Hilversum 1952) Theo Holman (Amsterdam 1953) Reggy Baay (Leiden 1955) Griselda Molemans (Castricum 1964) |
Black Skin, Orange HeartGriselda Molemans, author of the book 'Zwarte huid, Oranje hart. Afrikaanse KNIL-nazaten in de diaspora.' (2010) about the Belanda Hitam, the African soldiers of fortune in the KNIL and their descendants.
Of the 3,000 Ashanti warriors that joined the KNIL 450 stayed in the Dutch East Indies and assimilated into the Indo-European community. Griselda had since elaborated considerably on the Indo topics she covers and has become a prominent spokesperson for the Indo community. |
Jan Toorop (Purworejo 1858-1928)Born in Purworejo 20 December, 1858 Jan Toorop became an internationally aclaimed artist and the most important Symbolist painter of the Netherlands. He took pride in his Indo background and his work is known for mixing modern western styles with indigenous styles from the Indies.
Many of his descendants, such as his daughter Charley Toorop, became well known artists themselves. |
Eppo Doeve (Bandung 1907-1981)Born in Bandung July 2, 1907 Eppo Doeve became a popular and influential artist in the Netherlands. Best known for his paintings and (political) cartoons, he illustrated important periodicals such as 'De Groene Amsterdammer and Elsevier Magazine. He also designed bank notes and made at least 10% of the modern Prisma series bookcovers.
Doeve was awarded the National Outdoor Advertising Award (1955), a Knighthood in the Order of Oranje Nassau (1973) and the Erasmus prize. |
Johannes Akkeringa (Bangka 1861-1942)Painter Johannes Evert Hendrik Akkeringa was born in Blinjoe in the Dutch East Indies. He was the second child of Johannes Evert Akkeringa (1829–1863), an engineer in the tin mines of the Billiton-Company at Bangka, and later at Buitenzorg. His mother, Sariedje (born in 1842), was of mixed Chinese and Javanese ethnic origin. Following the death of his father from typhus, Akkeringa moved with his brother and sister to The Hague, where they grew up in the household of his aunt and became one of the great 2nd generation painters of the 'Den Haag School'.
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Peter van DongenArtist Peter van Dongen is mostly known for his much acclaimed Rampokan series.
Peter has also been commisioned by Pelita to illustrate the Virtual Indies website. |
Theatre
Jan Leonard Broekveldt
Jan Leonard Broekveldt aka Indra Kamadjojo was born in Banyumas on Java in 1906 and died in Amsterdam in 1992. He was an extraordinary dancer who later became an actor and entertainer. His Dutch father was a government official, his mother came from a noble Javanese family. He originally studied law in the Netherlands, but then decided to study his great passion: dance . His main teacher the Javaanse prins Raden Mas Waluyo suggested he adopt his stage name Indra Kamadjojo. Untill 1947 he frequently toured the world performing in Belgium, Engeland, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden as well as the USA. Untill 1983 he worked as a Dance teacher and choreographer.
From 1951 to 1958 he had his own show on national television. Throughout the 60s and the 70s he continued to appear on television. In 1974 his most famous and captivating role is the part of the Javanese regent of Ngadjiwa in the television drama based on Couperus' literary master piece 'De Stille Kracht'. 1979 and 1980 he is a recurring special guest in the 'Late Late Lien Show' .
To listen to his voice click here. To watch him perform click here.
From 1951 to 1958 he had his own show on national television. Throughout the 60s and the 70s he continued to appear on television. In 1974 his most famous and captivating role is the part of the Javanese regent of Ngadjiwa in the television drama based on Couperus' literary master piece 'De Stille Kracht'. 1979 and 1980 he is a recurring special guest in the 'Late Late Lien Show' .
To listen to his voice click here. To watch him perform click here.
Stand-up comedy
Ricky Risolles, world famous among Indo's, is a third generation Indo comedian, that has succesfully ventured on the trail of the legendary Tante Lien. He has performed in theatres throughout the Netherlands and during the pandemic started his: CoroNAkal Tievie series: https://www.youtube.com/c/RickyRisolles/featured
His funny videos can be found on his website: https://rickyrisolles.nl/video/
His funny videos can be found on his website: https://rickyrisolles.nl/video/
Television comedy
Sander aka Lucky van de Pavert (1976) has gained national and international notoriety as a comedic talent in the vein of Monty Pythons absurd comedy. He is a TV producer mostly known for his LuckyTV contributions to mainstream Dutch television. For many years his comedy relief during the number one tv programme DWDD has been the daily staple for millions of Dutch television viewers.
With his short films he often provides absurd and light-footed commentary on current events. He produces existing image material that is edited and manipulated; interviews are cut into absurd conversations, actors are dubbed or voice-overs are replaced.
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Sports
In the middle, Dutch starplayer, Naomi (nickname Bami) van As, double gold medalist and silver medalist. She started as 'World Hockey Young Player of the Year' in 2006 and in fact became "Best player of the world" in 2009 and again at the end of her sportscareer in 2017.
John Heitinga (Football/Soccer)
Lotte Jonathans (Badminton) Jelle Klaassen (Dart) Michael Mols (Football/Soccer) |
Bibi Mentel, snowboarding champion, became an icon for courage and perseverance.
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Musicians - Indo 1.0Sandra Reemer
Andy Tielman (Makassar 1936)
Andres alias of Dries Holten (Cimahi 1936) Riem & Ruud de Wolff (Depok 1941/1943) Jack Jersey (Cimahi 1941-1996) Anneke Gronloh (Tondano 1942) Margy Ball (Bandung 1948) Sandra Reemer (Bandung 1950) Patty Brard (Sorong 1955) |
Musicians - Indo 2.0 & 3.0Astrid Seriese (The Hague 1957)
Ernst Jansz (Amsterdam 1948) Monique Klemann (Amsterdam 1965) Suzanne Klemann (Amsterdam 1963) Arnold van Dongen Tres Manos alias of René van Barneveld Dinant Woesthof (Gorinchem 1972) Dennis van Leeuwen (Den Haag 1971) Xander de Buisonjé (Voorburg 1973) EliZe alias of Elise van der Horst(Utrecht 1982) Dewi Pechler (Dokkum 1983) |
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Indo Rock
The founding fathers of Dutch pop and rock music were the Indo musicians that introduced the new genre called Indo rock to Europe. Countless Indo artists were involved in this musical revolution, including guys like Andy Tielman, Harry Koster, Eddy Chatelin, Woody Brunnings, ETC.
See:
The Story of Indorock.
Famous bands include: The Tielman Brothers, The Black Dynamites; Javalins, The Hot Jumpers, The Crazy Rockers, The Hap Cats.
See:
The Story of Indorock.
Famous bands include: The Tielman Brothers, The Black Dynamites; Javalins, The Hot Jumpers, The Crazy Rockers, The Hap Cats.
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Actors, Models and More - MiscelaneousBeertje van Beers (Breda 1972)
Nada van Nie (Amsterdam 1967) Mark Paul Gosselaar Martin Schwab Esmée de la Bretonière (Amsterdam 1973) Georgina Verbaan (The Hague 1979) Emile Ratelband (Arnhem 1949) |
Sylvie MeisSylvie [Vandervaart-] Meis is an international model, presenter and tv personality married to football star Rafael Vandervaart. She is particularly famous for her television roles in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy.
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Laura GemserAfter playing a memorable scene in the European soft core erotica movie Emanuelle with fellow Dutch actress Sylvia Kristel, Laura Gemser (born Java 1950) became a cult icon of the 70's, famous for her own progressive post feminism sexploitation movie series in her role as the seductive Black Emanuele.
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Patty BrardSinger and TV personality Patty Brard (Sorong 1955) began her carreer as part of the popular Dutch girl group LUV, who became one of the leading European Disco acts of the 70's.
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Models
Kim Feenstra (1985) is well known model and public personality in the Netherlands.
Dewi Driegen (1982) is a topmodel for many major international brands. Her mother is Indo. |
Avalon Chanel (1990) was Miss Universe Netherlands in 2009 and Miss Worldcup Netherlands 2010.
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Social media influencers
Bibi Breijman (1991) is an Indo Dutch celebrity that came to notoriety as a participant in the hit reality show 'Oh Oh Cherso'. She became a singer, voice actress, and presenter and has since married Dutch rockstar Wailon, with whom she has a child. As a vlogger she is a major influencer. She strongly claims her Indo identity.
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Monica Geuze (1995) is a former DJ and a top 5 to top 10 influencer on Dutch social media. She has also become a book-author and a presenter in mainstream media.
She acknowledges her Indo roots, but sometimes mixes up the terms Indisch and Indonesian. |
Totoks
For a long time after WWII the most common Dutch term to designate Indos was 'Indische Nederlanders' (Indies Dutchmen), sometimes shortened to 'Indischen'. Stricktly speaking this term however does not only refer to Indos, but also includes white expatriate Dutchmen from the Dutch East Indies. This full blooded Dutchman was known as 'Totok', short for 'Totok Belanda'. Totok is the Malay term for pure or full blooded person.
Officially Indos were equal to Totoks and both belonged to the European legal class. Nevertheless the majority of Indos clearly belonged to a different social group, as colonial society was sodden with intricate racial discrimination. Back in the Netherlands 'Totoks' and 'Indos' eventually joined forces under the umbrella term Indische Nederlanders to lobby for common causes.
For more info scroll back up and click the 'TOTOK Hall of Fame' tab.
Officially Indos were equal to Totoks and both belonged to the European legal class. Nevertheless the majority of Indos clearly belonged to a different social group, as colonial society was sodden with intricate racial discrimination. Back in the Netherlands 'Totoks' and 'Indos' eventually joined forces under the umbrella term Indische Nederlanders to lobby for common causes.
For more info scroll back up and click the 'TOTOK Hall of Fame' tab.
Several people in the Totok Hall of Fame may very well have an Indo-Eurasian bloodline. Hoewever as long as they donot acknowledge this and claim their Indo heritage they will for the time being not be included in the Indo Hall of Fame.
A notable example of someone who has moved from the 'Totok Hall of Fame' to the 'Indo Hall of Fame' is writer Adriaan van Dis. |
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