Betawi comedian Bokir dies at 77

"Being well-known as the one who tells jokes in the topeng theater is not always good, because people think I'm joking even if I say something serious. However, I feel that it has become my destiny. I will continue to make jokes until I die," Bokir told The Jakarta Post in an interview in July.

The familiar face of the great Betawi (native Jakartan) comedian will no longer grace our television screens or entertain people with his jokes. He passed away on Friday, leaving a more somber Jakarta behind, even as it struggled with the gloom left by the Bali bombing.

Bokir died at 4 a.m. on Friday from complications arising from a lung disorder, diabetes and high blood pressure. He left behind two wives and five children. He was 77 years old.

Widely known as a lenong (Betawi humorous traditional theater) artist, Bokir preferred to be known as a topeng artist.

Topeng -- meaning mask (except that the players do not wear them) -- is a drama genre, whereas lenong is action.

Ever since he was a baby, Bokir's life was closely connected to Betawi traditional theater. He learnt the ropes from his father, who was the owner of the popular topeng theater group, Topeng Jiun.

In 1966, together with his cousin Nasir, he established his own topeng group, Setia Warga, whose members were mainly drawn from the same family. The group launched the careers of now- popular Betawi comedians, Mandra, Omas and Mastur.

Besides acting in the topeng theater, he also often performed in dozens of films, albeit in small parts.

Bokir's life, although simple to the very end, was one of dedication to the Betawi way of life. Through his humorous portrayals, Jakartans become familiar with various Betawi dialects, and thanks to him and his group, the traditional Betawi topeng theater still exists today.

Bokir was buried at Kampung Kramat cemetery in Kampung Setu subdistrict, East Jakarta. --JP