Javanese opera troupes make sure the show still goes on<\/p>\n
By Agus Maryono and Ngudi Utomo<\/p>\n
PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): An Indonesian phrase Hidup
\nenggan, mati tak mau, which means \"Don't want to live, don't want
\nto die\", describes the current situation of a traditional stage
\nshow, ketoprak, in Banyumas, Central Java.<\/p>\n
The Javanese word ketoprak can be translated as kentong (a
\ngong instrument). During performances, coordination between the
\nscenes and the supporting background music is done by the sound
\nof the kentong.<\/p>\n
In this region, it is generally known as ketoprak tobong
\nbecause the performance is held in a tobong, a structure made of
\nbamboo logs and iron sheets. The purpose of such a stage is for
\npractical reasons, since ketoprak tobong groups travel around to
\npresent their performance.<\/p>\n
Ketoprak was first performed in Wonogiri, Central Java; and
\nwas a drama which included dialog and singing. Yet because it is
\nmost famed in Yogyakarta, people believe that ketoprak originated
\nfrom there. It was from here that ketoprak began to spread to
\nother regions in Central Java, including Banyumas.<\/p>\n
Ketoprak is rather distinct from more conventional types of
\ndrama because its themes are restricted to historical stories
\nabout ancient kingdoms or legends. With these types of settings,
\nthe actors' costumes are according to the fashion during olden
\ntimes. The background music is that of traditional gamelan.<\/p>\n
Originally, the performances were staged in permanent venues,
\nsuch as in the halls of a village center or in a special building
\nallocated for the performances. With the changes of time,
\nketoprak has had to compete with more modern forms of
\nentertainment, such as dangdut music shows and movies, as well as
\nradio and television.<\/p>\n
Thus, the popularity of ketoprak has drastically diminished.
\nThe profits have also decreased severely and the performers have
\nto travel from one place to another because they can no longer
\nafford the maintenance and rent of a permanent building.<\/p>\n
This marketing maneuver gave the show success, and performers
\nhad their own fans in the villages they visited. But, the
\npopularity did not last, due to the monotonous themes that are
\nalways presented. Now, an audience for each performance never
\namounts to more than 20 people. Despite this difficulty, ketoprak
\ngroups persist in holding their performances. They can stay for
\nthree months or four months in one place before moving on to
\nanother place.<\/p>\n
From the about 20 ketoprak groups that once existed in the
\nregion, Sari Budaya is one of the few left performing.<\/p>\n
For the actors, ketoprak has become their way of life. But to
\nsupport their life, the actors must also get temporary jobs.<\/p>\n
Sukirno, Sari Budaya ketoprak group's assistant to the head,
\nsaid: \"What else can I do? It's obvious that we cannot rely
\nsolely on the money earned from our performances.\"<\/p>\n
\"In the evening we perform our show. But during the day, we
\nall have our own activities,\" the 60-year-old man said.<\/p>\n
He said many of the group's members have temporary jobs such
\nas becak (pedicab) drivers or household helpers.<\/p>\n
Thirty-year-old Tuti, for example, washes clothes at a house
\nduring the day, while her husband, also a performer in the group,
\nis a barber.<\/p>\n
\"No matter what, our main priority is to perform. Even if
\nthere is not much of an audience, the show still goes on,\"
\nSukirno said. \"If it is not done this way, who else will inherit
\nour own priceless culture?\"<\/p>\n
From 1990 to 1996, Sukirno led a karawitan (Javanese songs
\naccompanied by gamelan) group called Bawor Laras. This group was
\nunder the auspices of the Seruling Emas Foundation which belonged
\nto the late Soesilo Sudarman, a former cabinet minister. Bawor
\nLaras used to perform at the Central Java Pavilion, Taman Mini
\nIndonesia Indah, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Before Sukirno joined Bawor Laras, he was the leader of Sari
\nBudaya. He decided to leave because he did not want to see the
\ndeath of the ketoprak group, which was on the verge of ending.<\/p>\n
The group is in fact in a critical situation. Now, the
\nperformers' children must also help their parents make ends meet.<\/p>\n
\"It is very sad that many of us cannot afford to educate our
\nchildren. But what makes us sadder is that often we find them
\nbegging for money at the corners of the stage,\" said Tuti, who
\nhas been with ketoprak tobong for 12 years.<\/p>\n
It is due to the performers strong motivation that this
\nketoprak survives.<\/p>\n
\"Most of the performers are motivated by their own interests
\nor hobbies,\" said Sukirno.<\/p>\n
The entry fee for a show is just Rp 500 per person.<\/p>\n
\"Every Saturday night, if it doesn't rain, we may get up to 20
\npeople,\" said Sukirno.<\/p>\n
The performance earns about Rp 10,000, which is distributed
\namong the crew. \"Whether there is a performance or not, we pay
\nour performers Rp 300 per day. We are aware that the amount is
\nnothing but we are touched by our crew's persistence and
\nmotivation,\" said Sukirno.<\/p>\n
Despite the hardships they encounter, they are often invited
\nby the state radio station RRI in Purwokerto to perform \"live\"
\nonce a week.<\/p>\n
The proposal, made by Yon Maryono, head of RRI Purwokerto, is
\nnot regarded as a bailout from their troubles because the payment
\nthey receive is not much.<\/p>\n
\"We don't understand why, after a three-hour performance, we
\nonly receive Rp 7,500,\" said Sukirno. \"Imagine dividing that
\namount between our 20-member crew, it is irrational,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The only thing the ketoprak group has left to do is hope that
\nthere will be more attention from the government in the future.<\/p>\n
\"During the Golkar campaigns for the election, until the last
\none in 1997, ketoprak performances always drew masses of people.
\nBut after they have won the election, we are left with nothing,\"
\nsaid Sukirno, whose memories makes things worse for him.<\/p>\n
The situation is similar to that of Yusuf Efendi, 47, the head
\nof another ketoprak group, Ngesti Wibowo.<\/p>\n
But this group has a different marketing maneuver than that of
\nSukirno. \"Aside from commuting from place to place, we also
\naccept bookings to perform at wedding parties,\" Yusuf said.<\/p>\n
\"We may only be asked to stay for a day or two but we earn
\nmore money than if we play in our tobong.\"<\/p>\n
The world of ketoprak is very different from that of trading
\nsaid Yusuf. \"In trading, if the expenses exceed the profits we
\nearn, they will stop the business. But in ketoprak, as long as we
\ncan still support ourselves, even to the most minimum
\nrequirements, the show will go on.\"<\/p>\n
He said the most profitable times are during the Moslem Idul
\nFitri celebrations at the end of Ramadhan, the fasting month.
\n\"Usually during lebaran (Idul Fitri holidays), people in the
\nvillages have a tendency to spend their extra money. This is the
\ntime when we promote our show to the fullest. We even get to
\nperform during the day and at night,\" Yusuf said, adding that an
\naudience may amount to 100 people and the group can receive up to
\nRp 100,000 during that time.<\/p>\n
Suhardi, of the Ministry of Education and Culture's office in
\nBanyumas, said that he is also concerned about the fate of
\nketoprak. \"We are doing what we can to continue to promote this
\nvaluable legacy to the people and for the ketoprak groups not to
\nstop their performances\", he said.<\/p>\n
As the first step toward this goal, Suhardi often cooperates
\nwith the provincial office of the ministry to hold festivals that
\npresent ketoprak, from village levels up to provincial levels. He
\nsaid his office also participated in supplying the groups with
\ntools and costume requirements.<\/p>\n
\"We also often contribute sembako (the nine basic necessities)
\nto the ketoprak tobong groups to ease some of their struggles,\"
\nhe added.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/javanese-opera-troupes-make-sure-the-show-still-goes-on-1447893297",
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