Umar Kayam's short story impresses Jakartans<\/p>\n
By Yenni Kwok<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): If a success was measured by the author's
\nblessing, the music and story reading by brothers Djaduk Ferianto
\nand Butet Kertaredjasa had been a big accomplishment.<\/p>\n
Author Umar Kayam, whose short story \"Drs. Citraksa and Drs.
\nCitraksi\" was read last Tuesday, shared the night of laughter
\nwith the audience of Graha Bhakti Budaya.<\/p>\n
He smiled and laughed as Butet, the fifth son of renown
\nchoreographer Bagong Kussudiardjo, made alive the pathetic
\ncharacters from his piece. Djaduk, Butet's more famous youngest
\nbrother, composed the music.<\/p>\n
The music and short story reading was originally performed
\nlast June in Yogyakarta. Then titled Pak Kayam Pamit Pensiun (Pak
\nKayam Says Good Bye to Retire), it was to honor Kayam's
\nretirement from Gadjah Mada University.<\/p>\n
\"The story is a portrayal of our time,\" Kayam said after the
\nperformance. \"The story became better. They had a good and creative
\napproach.\"<\/p>\n
Although their Jakarta performance was no longer associated
\nwith Kayam's retirement event, the content was still relevant to
\nany occasion.<\/p>\n
Witty humor and satires dominated the two-part performance.<\/p>\n
The two brothers took turn to carry the weight. The first part
\nhighlighted Djaduk's musical and theatrical talent.<\/p>\n
His music score, \"Kursi Goyang Pak Ageng\" (Pak Ageng's Rocking
\nChair), revolved around the concept of \"seat\" and power.<\/p>\n
Djaduk also made fun of a leader, who still ruled in
\nfeudalistic tradition. Pak Ageng, acted by a man with a round
\nface and a safari shirt, enjoyed Djaduk's music in his rocking
\nchair.<\/p>\n
The soothing music soon turned to be disturbing. Rebana
\nplayers surrounded the leader, waking him up from his peaceful
\nrest. He jumped from his chair and shouted, \"Shut up! If it's
\ntime to step down, I will step down!\"<\/p>\n
Djaduk was a maestro. Or, a chef. He knew how to mix the
\ningredients of music, theater and literature to make it appealing
\nto the audience.<\/p>\n
Even his music was a combination of jazz, gamelan and gambus
\nmusic. His band combined gamelan instruments, electronic organs,
\nrebanas and a clarinet.<\/p>\n
Nothing was new in this performance. It still showcased the
\nsame elements: Djaduk's music, humor and satires. Yet, it was
\nsomething the audience were never tired of.<\/p>\n
After all, the Maestro was not blind to the current
\nsituation. On stage, he gave opportunities for people to laugh
\nand relieve their oppressed concerns.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, Djaduk off stage was not as naughty. \"We are only
\nbeing playful,\" said the 33-year-old artist.<\/p>\n
The show climaxed at the second part, featuring Kayam's piece.
\nIt was a ridiculing portrayal of nepotism, a common practice of
\nthe powerful here.<\/p>\n
Regent Beragalrebo was once asked by his beloved uncle to
\naccommodate his twin cousins, Citraksi and Citraksa, into his
\nbureaucratic machinery. (The twins' names are taken from
\nMahabharata epic; they are the always lost Kurawa twin brothers.)<\/p>\n
If the twins were smart and intelligent, it would be no
\nproblem. But they always stuttered whenever they had to carry
\nimportant tasks.<\/p>\n
Butet, still active at Teater Gandrik, showed off his
\ntheatrical talent in enlivening Kayam's story.<\/p>\n
The serious-looking bespectacled man personified different
\ncharacters. He was the bewildered Regent Beragalrebo,
\nthe toothless old dukun (medicine man), the stuttering twins
\nCitraksi and Citraksa. The 46-year-old artist was the star of
\nthe night.<\/p>\n
The brothers have worked before in a musical performance,
\nMusik Humor (Musical Humor) between 1970 and 1979.<\/p>\n
Their work has impressed another literary figure. Writer
\nDanarto has asked them to read his short story, possibly in
\nOctober.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/umar-kayams-short-story-impresses-jakartans-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}