Gatotkaca and Superman<\/p>\n
I am writing this in response to Laila Faisal's article in the
\nFeb. 22, Sunday edition of The Jakarta Post. It says that
\nGatotkaca has a lot to learn from Superman whose characteristics
\nare popular with young people, especially women.<\/p>\n
Gatotkaca has nothing to learn from Superman. He is one of the
\nmany characters in the Mahabharata. In the Indonesian version of
\nthe Mahabharata, his nature and capabilities are outlined in the
\nPakem Pedalangan (source book for Javanese shadowplay stories).<\/p>\n
Gatotkaca is a fighter. He is not vain. He is not a womanizer.
\nHe is not allowed to laugh loudly. He is there to defend the
\ntruth and to suppress evil. He has not been engineered to be
\nliked. The fact that he is popular with his admirers is because
\nof his noble character and his skill in warfare.<\/p>\n
Superman was created with a certain objective, i.e. to make
\nmoney from comic book sales. His creator gave him various good
\ncharacteristics and capabilities bordering on the miraculous in
\norder to make him likable.<\/p>\n
The case with Gatotkaca is different. As a soldier, his task
\nis to go to war. It must be remembered that Gatotkaca does not
\nalways win his battles. He falls in the Bharatayuda war and
\nbecomes a hero. Gatotkaca is mortal.<\/p>\n
Superman never dies. If he dies, how can the publisher of his
\nstories and the producer of his films continue to make a profit
\nout of him?<\/p>\n
The difference between the two is clear. Gatotkaca is a
\ncultural product, while Superman is a trade commodity.<\/p>\n
SUYADI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gatotkaca-and-superman-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }