In 2000, when we entered the turn of the new millennium, as well as ahead of the BASIS Magazine Golden Party, Sindhunata, as the new captain of BASIS magazine, looked back at BASIS Magazine's journey which had lasted half a century.
It recalled the talks of a number of people, including Prof P. Zoetmulder who founded BASIS Magazine for the first time. One small magazine, about fifty (50) pages thick, contains various writings on sociology, economics, education, family, and other social fields. With a circulation and subscribers of about a thousand (1000) people. The BASIS magazine is a form of telelectual spirituality.
Prof. P. Zoetmulder (UGM lecturer) and Prof. N. Drijarkara (founder, lecturer at Sanata Dharma) two humanities figures with expertise in Ancient Java (at UGM) and Philosophy (at Sanata Dharma) later became the pillars that supported the journey of BASIS magazine. As a pioneer in the field of Philosophy in Indonesia, in the era of the 60-70s, Prof. Drijarkara, made BASIS magazine a medium that disseminated understanding of Educational Philosophy, Human Philosophy, Social Philosophy of the State and the Nation, and Philosophy of Culture. In the 1980s, these serial writings were published as books which became a repertoire of basic philosophical thought in Indonesia. From the father of the two people, BASIS Magazine was then run by another humanities figure, namely Dick Hartoko (UGM lecturer, and Sanata Dharma).
The managing editors of BASIS Magazine, as well as the writers who fill out published articles have become the path of formation for intellectuals, as well as media figures who fill in the history of thought in Indonesia. People like Anhar Gonggong, Sapardi dJoko Damono, and KOMPAS founder P. Swantoro started their careers by being actively involved in BASIS magazine during their student years. This was continued by B. Rahmanto (a lecturer at Sanata Dharma) who served as Executive Editor for thirty (30) years. He has also served as General Chair of the Association of Indonesian Literature Scholars (HISKI).
Thus, BASIS which contains a fundamental understanding, or basis, within the scope of the areas of sociology, economics, education, family and other social sciences, through various existing writings, has contributed to opening the intellectual horizons of its readers.
In the era of Sindhunata's leadership, a new style emerged. In addition to the magnified magazine format, and keeping in mind the strengthening of the visual era, BASIS Magazine's content is also enriched with visual material. The works of artists (painting, sculpture, graphics, mix media) and photographers who are friends of Sindhunata's network also give BASIS magazine its own color. This is part of the work of art from the process of intellectual thought which is presented symbolically. A period that lasts to the present day. About 20 years of travel.
In mid-2021, the BASIS Magazine Editor, who received the baton from the Sindhunata leadership period, has just held a series of virtual BASIS Magazine Writers and Readers meetings. Not less than ten (10) themes are offered. One new area added from the above is the area of interreligious dialogue.
No less than five hundred (500) BASIS magazine readers spread across various cities in Indonesia, were also involved in the series of events. In the dynamic presence of BASIS magazine, this effort can be positioned as a new form. When print media has shifted due to digital culture, BASIS Culture Magazine still wants to reach its readers while still offering the treasures of intellectual thought it produces. And still reach out to their readers, even during a pandemic. ***