Traditional 'angklung' dance retains popularity in E. Java<\/p>\n
By Singgir Kartana<\/p>\n
BANYUWANGI, East Java (JP): It was a merry Wednesday night in
\nKalibaru Cottage's lobby. Dozens of foreign tourists got carried
\naway watching an angklung dance performed by three young girls,
\nFitri, Prima and Uut. They are members of the Sekar Wangi Dance
\nCompany.<\/p>\n
When the dance was over, some male tourists looked exhausted
\nafter dancing along with the dancers for nearly half an hour. Yet
\nthey apparently were not fully satisfied and asked for more,
\nwhich the organizer granted.<\/p>\n
\"Fantastic! What a beautiful dance,\" commented Robert A. Patt
\nwhile wiping sweat off his forehead after dancing.<\/p>\n
The angklung dance is one of a few Banyuwangi traditional arts
\nwhich has survived in the face of modern arts. The angklung dance
\nis not only frequently performed at parties but also has become
\nroutine entertainment in several hotels in Banyuwangi.<\/p>\n
For instance, the Sekar Wangi Dance Company is booked nearly
\nonce a week to stage the dance in Kalibaru Cottage Hotel, not to
\nmention other troupes in that area.<\/p>\n
\"Even those who cannot dance, the moment they hear the
\nangklung rhythm, they will start dancing or tapping their feet.
\nI've never seen anyone in the audience, including foreigners, who
\nrefused to dance when I grab their hand,\" said dancer Lily
\nDwiasih, 15, a senior high school student in Banyuwangi.<\/p>\n
How has the dance been able to retain its popularity? Perhaps
\nthe answer is its ability to metamorphose and to adjust to modern
\ndemands. It adopts elements of other arts to enrich itself.<\/p>\n
The art of angklung itself has a history of development, going
\nthrough changes and improvisations in terms of music and
\nmovements. Its ability to adapt to modern arts has enabled it to
\ncompete with modern performing arts.<\/p>\n
There is no historical record of when angklung began. Legend
\nhas it that the birth of angklung was closely related to the
\nagrarian tradition of the rural society.<\/p>\n
It is believed that angklung was created by people guarding
\ntheir rice fields against grain-eating birds as the paddy
\nripened. To scare off birds and to kill time, they played simple
\nmusic on bamboo blades arranged on grass. The bamboo blade
\narrangement is similar to kulintang bamboo musical instruments.<\/p>\n
Fledging<\/p>\n
In the 1980s, angklung got fierce competition from modern
\nforms of entertainment, such as film, video, karaoke, pop music
\nand dangdut music.<\/p>\n
Angklung lost its shine to modern forms of entertainment.
\nWell aware of the threat, artists and art workers worked hard at
\ninnovation.<\/p>\n
Misnadi, 40, the owner of the Sekar Wangi Dance Company, for
\nexample, tried to incorporate the elements of music and dance
\nmovements of various folk arts into angklung. A similar effort
\nwas also made by Bambang Mulyono, 62, the owner of Sempu Dance
\nCompany.<\/p>\n
The undertaking bore fruit and angklung regained its fame,
\nalthough the innovations cost it some of its original elements.<\/p>",
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