'Srimulat' revives traditional comedy<\/p>\n
By Endi Aras<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Every Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. and Saturday
\nnight at 7:30 p.m. you will find people crowding around the TV in
\ntheir living room eagerly watching the comedy programs Srimulat
\nand Ketoprak Humor.<\/p>\n
When the country's political and economic situation was still
\nfraught with conflicts and uncertainties, the abundant outpouring
\nof news reports only shifted the public's attention further to
\nlighter entertaining subjects, such as music, gossip and comedy
\nsketches.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's comic world is inseparable from the long history
\nof Srimulat, a group of comedians who originally started in
\nSurabaya, East Java, in the 1950s. Initiated and managed by Raden
\nAyu Srimulat and later by Teguh, Srimulat has now become a
\nphenomenon following the popularity of television in the
\nentertainment world.<\/p>\n
When Srimulat theaters in Surakarta, Jakarta and even Surabaya
\nclosed for lack of audience at the end of 1980s, many people
\nbelieved that the comedy group was dead. At that time, Srimulat
\nmembers were suffering despite the fact that efforts were made to
\npopularize the group with the publication of Herry Gendut
\nJanarto's book on them.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, efforts continued for a revival of the group,
\nwhich was at its peak of success in the 1970s and 1980s. A senior
\nmember of the group had an idea to offer a package of comedy
\nsketches to private television stations. At first the offer was
\nflatly refused. However, the senior member was not discouraged.
\nHe was finally rewarded when Indosiar, then initiating its
\nprogram to develop traditional arts, accepted the offer. The
\npackage was later broadcasted practically as it was because
\nIndosiar did not make many changes. The antilogical concept of
\nSrimulat's performance style, previously found only on stage, had
\nnow become part of the television program and made it a great
\nsuccess.<\/p>\n
The 60-minute TV program which has appeared since November
\n1995, has won the hearts of the audience. Advertisers have spared
\nno time in seizing this opportunity. Slots for commercials are
\nalways full every time a Srimulat show is on.<\/p>\n
Srimulat's concept of humor is derived from the style of the
\nJavanese humorous skits. A member of the group, Ranudikromo, says
\nin the book on Srimulat that the Javanese word dagelan (humorous
\nskit) is derived from the word dagel, meaning \"half done\".
\nEverything which is half done or half way from two extreme points
\nwill look funny, strange and amusing.<\/p>\n
To laymen, however, Srimulat's style is equal to the
\nantilogical style. Srimulat members are highly skilled at turning
\nthings upside down and it is this factor that becomes the key to
\nthe success of their shows. Now that they have a regular TV show,
\nthey continue to apply this style and have in this way won back
\ntheir popularity. Some of them have even become a celebrity,
\nwhich was something considered impossible before. A number of
\nactors who have begun to lose their luster have asked to guest
\nstar on the shows.<\/p>\n
Advertising agencies have asked some members to appear in
\nadvertisements and commercials. Others, like Basuki, Nunung and
\nPak Bendot, have made their name in a very popular TV film called
\nSi Doel Anak Sekolahan (Doel, the Graduate) by Rano Karno. A few
\nmonths ago Nunung even grabbed the best female comedian title
\nfrom the Panasonic Awards. Rising film director Garin Nugroho
\nalso recruited a number of Srimulat members to be cast in
\ncommunity service advertisements about the general election.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, things are not always plain sailing. Indosiar
\nlater decided that for practical reasons the shooting of Srimulat
\nshows should be done in the studio instead of a playhouse. This
\nnew shooting pattern slightly disturbed the schedule of Srimulat
\nmembers. An internal conflict brewed within the comedy group.
\nThere were even rumors that Basuki would leave, because in his
\nopinion the humorous style of Srimulat could not be developed if
\nthey were to act out skits in a studio.<\/p>\n
This internal conflict unavoidably became deeper, and was
\nfollowed by the establishment of Ketoprak Humor (humorous
\ntraditional Javanese play) by Timbul. It was set up under the
\nauspices of the Samiaji Foundation with a membership comprising
\nsome members of Srimulat and the Bharata Group.<\/p>\n
The emergence of Ketoprak Humor on television, has led to the
\nappearance of similar comedy groups, such as Ketoprak Jampi
\nStress, set up by Basuki along with Mandra, Ludruk Luber Stress
\nand so forth. Traditional stories which actually no longer suit
\nmodern times have again been presented with limitless humor and
\nupside-down human logic.<\/p>\n
Aware of the return of their former glory, Timbul with his
\nKetoprak Humor has continued to win people's interests. Ketoprak
\nHumor insists that its shooting be done in a theater, such as
\nGedung Kesenian Jakarta and Graha Bhakti Budaya in Taman Ismail
\nMarzuki Arts Center, places usually presenting highbrow art
\nperformances. And the community has given this effort a good
\nresponse. So every time there is a shooting of Ketoprak Humor,
\nthe theater is always packed. What Srimulat abandoned was picked
\nup successfully by Ketoprak Humor.<\/p>\n
An idea came up that the way adopted by Srimulat and Ketoprak
\nHumor should also be tried with traditional tales from other
\nregions. Take West Java, for example. This Sundanese land is rich
\nwith folk stories. Sumatra, Bali and other islands also have
\ntheir own folk tales. The most important thing is how to
\nintroduce these folk tales to a modern audience. Of course, good
\nhumor, good facilities and a strong creative team would be
\nneeded.<\/p>\n
As there is lots of competition, Ketoprak Humor is now
\nintensively looking for innovations. Apart from presenting famous
\nartists as guest stars, this group also uses attractive stage
\nprops and costumes.<\/p>\n
The success that Ketoprak Humor is now enjoying is inseparable
\nfrom the humorous quality of Srimulat. This is understandable
\nbecause most Srimulat members have now joined Ketoprak Humor.
\nOnly the storylines distinguish these two comedians' groups.
\nSrimulat sticks to stories about the daily life in a family; for
\nexample, a story about a maid and her master, or about mystical
\nstories. Ketoprak Humor, on the other hand, relies on folk
\nstories. In some episodes, it performed Roman and Greek folklore.<\/p>\n
Timbul, the director of this group, said Srimulat and Ketoprak
\nHumor share a common performing method. The cast is given their
\nroles and an outline and then they improvise the play in a
\ncertain period of time. When one scene is about to end, someone
\nfrom the side of the stage will turn on a light as a signal.<\/p>\n
Once on stage, the skills of the players are put to the test.
\nThey must be able to develop the sketch into a fresh fluid
\ndialog. They are completely free but they must know when they
\nshould talk a lot and when they should say only a few words. In
\nthis way, obviously, there are some repetitions in various
\nscenes, but this has now been regarded as its characteristic.<\/p>\n
Ketoprak Humor has an advantage over Srimulat. This group
\nalways presents different stories with different costumes and
\nstage props, giving the impression that the performance is well-
\nprepared. Besides, it also employs detailed techniques in
\npresenting war or fight scenes; for example, by means of a
\nsomersault, jumping and so on. Obviously, members of the Bharata
\nGroup are skilled in doing this part.<\/p>\n
So Srimulat has again enjoyed a semblance of its former glory.
\nAlthough its members can not be found in different groups, they
\nare still Srimulat people. Now that Srimulat has made its
\ncomeback, the road to new glory is wide open. It is now up to
\nSrimulat members to tap this golden opportunity to ensure that
\nSrimulat remains intact and the welfare of its members may be
\npromoted.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/srimulat-revives-traditional-comedy-1447893297",
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