Puppetmasters no longer support govt policies<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): It is no secret that during former president
\nSoeharto's New Order regime, Javanese shadow puppet masters,
\ndalang, served as tools of government propaganda.<\/p>\n
Dalang were made to \"socialize\", as the government loved to
\ncall it, state development programs such as family planning or
\nthe need for the poor to further tighten their belts -- all of
\nwhich had nothing to do with the story or moral lessons of the
\nlakon, or the story being performed.<\/p>\n
Many dalang who truly respect the philosophy of the Javanese
\nwayang (shadow puppets), grumbled about the government's
\ninterference.<\/p>\n
In July last year, barely two months after Soeharto's fall,
\nsome 150 dalang from all over Java gathered in the ancient city
\nof Surakarta to share ideas about what they could do to restore
\ntheir image.<\/p>\n
The puppet masters' concern was shared by cultural activists
\nwho wished to preserve wayang and local culture in general, as
\nwell as remove all interference from wayang.<\/p>\n
To prove their commitment to preserve wayang, the cultural
\nactivists are organizing an ambitious Wayang Festival. The
\nfestival kicked off at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, last night.
\nThe festival, which also includes seminars and workshops on
\nJavanese culture, will run until December and wayang shows will
\nbe held in major cities across Central and East Java.<\/p>\n
\"From now on, dalang should no longer be used as a political
\npropaganda machine,\" Aiko Senosoenoto, the festival's production
\nmanager, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
\"Dalang should serve as the voice of truth and should belong
\nto all people regardless of which organization they are
\naffiliated with,\" Aiko, who chairs Eksotika Karmawibhangga
\nIndonesia, said.<\/p>\n
Eksotika is cosponsoring the event in cooperation with the
\nJakarta Art Institute, Ismail Marzuki Arts Center and the
\nMovement for Justice and National Unity.<\/p>\n
The festival also aims to promote wayang among the younger
\ngeneration, who often are overwhelmed by their exposure to
\nwestern culture.<\/p>\n
With freedom of expression budding after 32 years of
\nrepressive rule under Soeharto, wayang masters are expected to be
\ninnovative so their philosophy keeps up with modern realities,
\nAiko said.<\/p>\n
Scheduled to perform at the festival are puppet masters from
\nthe Dalang Network 1999. Dalang H. Sujiwo Tejo opened the
\nfestival last night at Ismail Marzuki Arts Center. Tonight, the
\nfestival will feature dalang Slamet Gundono at the same venue.<\/p>\n
\"Dalang in the network are supposed to remind each other of
\ntheir moral obligation to propagate the truth,\" Aiko said. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/puppetmasters-no-longer-support-govt-policies-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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