Australia honors RI 'dalang'<\/p>\n
MELBOURNE: At the government-to-government level there may be
\ntimes of sweet-and-sour relations, suspicions and tensions, but
\nin general, Indonesian-Australian relations are healthy.<\/p>\n
On Australia Day, which falls on Jan. 26, among those on the
\nhonors list is Indonesian artist Poedijono, who is to receive a
\nMedal of the Order of Australia for his role in promoting
\nIndonesian culture and arts in Australia.<\/p>\n
The 63-year-old Wonogiri-born dalang -- or puppet master --
\ndancer, singer and performing arts instructor has tirelessly
\nnurtured interest in and love for Indonesian arts in Australia
\nsince his arrival there in 1973.<\/p>\n
Of course, he said, he was elated when he received the news.
\n\"I thought, wow -- I'll be honored for doing what I love doing,
\nand that's great!\"<\/p>\n
Poedijono's skills in merging the traditional with the modern
\nhas added to his popularity in Australia. In his wayang kulit, or
\nleather puppet, shows, he uses English as well as the Javanese
\nlanguage to enhance the audience's enjoyment and appreciation.<\/p>\n
At the Melbourne Fringe Arts Festival recently, he agreed to
\ndirect the Melbourne Community Gamelan, which took part in
\nDrupadi's Revenge, an award-winning, modern dance-drama staged by
\nUnderbelly, a performing arts school.<\/p>\n
Poedijono hopes that other gamelan and traditional puppetry
\nenthusiasts will receive such honors and that the seeds of
\nappreciation he has planted will continue to grow to receive
\nmainstream recognition in Australia. -- JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australia-honors-ri-dalang-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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