JP\/5\/ANGKLUNG<\/p>\n
'Angklung' workshop tries to win hearts of locals<\/p>\n
Yuli Tri Suwarni
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Bandung<\/p>\n
Unlike other traditional music, angklung (instrument consisting
\nof suspended bamboo tubes which sound when shaken) music -- which
\nwas introduced to international audiences in the sixties -- has
\nnot enjoyed popular success with the current taste for world
\nmusic.<\/p>\n
When the late Udjo Ngalagena set out to promote the music of
\nWest Java's Baduy people worldwide, it probably didn't occur to
\nhim that his son, Taufik Hidayat, would one day assume the task.<\/p>\n
Udjo's greatest wish was for Indonesian people, particularly
\nthe Sundanese, to renew their interest in the bamboo instrument.
\nTo fulfill that wish, Taufik is concentrating on activities at
\nSaung Angklung Udjo, the only angklung workshop in West Java.<\/p>\n
Recently, an angklung concert titled Culture, Nature and
\nHarmony in Saung Udjo 2004 was held in Padasuka, Bandung. At
\nleast 150 children, aged between two and 15 years old, performed.<\/p>\n
The young angklung musicians, wearing colorful costumes, did
\nnot seem to mind the cold night air as they played Sundanese and
\npop songs before an audience of 300.<\/p>\n
Six-year-old Rama, who was dubbed \"our prince charming\" by the
\nevent's two female presenters, ushered guests to their seats in
\nthe open-air Karesmen Hall and Atmosphere Garden with great
\ngusto. The venue is located at the far end of the Saung Udjo
\ncomplex, which spans 7,000 square meters in total.<\/p>\n
Amel, a girl the same age as Rama, and one of Udjo's
\ngrandchildren, sang Anak Gembala (Shepherd's Child) accompanied
\nby angklung music.<\/p>\n
The program included Alunan Rumpun Bambu (bamboo music) and
\nthe Cirebon mask dance, as well as a variety of songs, from the
\nSundanese song Tokecang, national song Ibu Kita Kartini, and
\nIndonesian pop song, Benci Tapi Rindu to the western pop song
\nFalling in Love.<\/p>\n
Sundanese traditional fare such as nasi timbel (rice wrapped
\nin banana leaves complete with side dishes of fried fish or
\nchicken, raw vegetables and sambal or chili paste), bajigur
\n(coconut milk mixed with palm sugar) and also bandrek (ginger
\ndrink made with palm sugar and grated young coconut flesh) were
\nalso served at the event.<\/p>\n
All of Udjo's children and grandchildren were involved in the
\nshow. Taufik, who is also the general manager of Saung Udjo,
\nacknowledged that the performance was held to promote the
\nworkshop.<\/p>\n
\"Before the monetary crisis in the late 90s, when tickets were
\ncheap, only 5 percent of our guests were Indonesian. Now that
\ntickets are sold at Rp 25,000 (US$2.70), almost 40 percent of our
\nvisitors are locals,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Before 1998, Taufik said an average of 200 tourists from the
\nUnited States, Europe, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea visited the
\nworkshop every day.<\/p>\n
The crisis devastated cultural life in Indonesia. \"We were
\nlucky to stage even three performances a week,\" recalled Taufik.<\/p>\n
However, hard times resulted in a new lease of life for the
\nworkshop. In 2000, the interactive \"Bamboo Music Afternoon Show\"
\nwas first held in an effort to attract local audiences.<\/p>\n
The workshop also invites school groups to learn to play the
\nangklung.<\/p>\n
Karesmen Hall and Atmosphere Garden, which has a capacity of
\n800 people, is offered for weddings and birthday parties as well,
\nwith various extras available, including entertainers and
\ncatering.<\/p>\n
Saung Udjo -- located on Jl. Padasuka No. 118, near the
\nCicaheum intercity bus terminal -- also sells handicrafts, such
\nas key-holders made of wood and bamboo in the shape of Sundanese
\nwooden Golek puppets, or angklung and puppet-shaped ballpoint
\npens and brooches in the form of mini angklung.<\/p>\n
Various characters from the Golek puppet show are sold for Rp
\n35,000 a piece. A decorative angklung sells for Rp 60,000 per set
\nand a set of playable angklung goes for Rp 230,000.<\/p>\n
Taufik said the workshop also exported angklung overseas,
\nespecially to South Korea. Following the death of Udjo on May 3,
\n2001, several countries began to attract tourists through the
\npromotion of angklung and angklung performances.<\/p>\n
\"At the end of the Truly Asia advertisement, which is aimed at
\nattracting tourists to Malaysia, the image of an angklung is
\nused. People from outside realize that the angklung is a powerful
\nsymbol. It's about time we proclaimed ourselves as its rightful
\nowners,\" said Taufik.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp5angklung-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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