A TRIBUTE to Pak Parman

[A. G. Maisey]

I thank you for your high praise Pak Ganja, and I am envious of your good fortune in having been able to access the great knowledge of these notable people whom you list as your instructors.

My principal teacher was undoubtedly Pak Parman, but I have counted Pak Pauzan as a good friend for many years, and I have gained a not inconsiderable amount of knowledge from him also.

My biggest handicap in learning anything at all about keris from Pak Parman was my own stupidity:- he gave me as much of his knowledge as I was able to absorb, but in reality, that only scratched the surface of what he had to give.

I've read "Jawa Sejati", but in truth I forget exactly what was written there about Pak Parman, and perhaps I may not wish to remember.

I can understand very well the benefits that could flow from some sort of primer on Pak Parman's work, and I will not dismiss this suggestion out of hand. However, in considering this idea, I must also consider the possibility that Pak Parman himself may not have endorsed such an idea. As I have noted, he never charged for his work. He would not accept an order, and he would never sell his work. He was totally and absolutely opposed to the commercialisation of his work. There can be no doubt that where a keris can be identified as Pak Parman's work, the value of that keris will multiply manyfold. Would he have approved of this? I rather doubt it.

Further, would he approve of me providing a commentary and description of his work?

I doubt it.

I personally would not approve such commentary from any of my own pupils.

The pupil is not fit to comment upon the work of his own teacher.