Guess What? Guruh Soekarnoputra

Guess What? Guruh Soekarnoputra

Noted man of the arts Guruh Soekarnoputra is turning his
attention to folk arts to help Indonesia shed its image as a poor
country which pays little attention to its cultural riches.

Guruh said last week he was less involved in folk art in the
past not because of a personal dislike, but because there was no
sponsor interested in performances for lower-income people.

"As an artist, I often have to act like a chef who has no
choice other than prepare what he is ordered to cook," the clean-
cut, soft-spoken youngest son of the country's first president
said.

Perhaps with the winds of reform, a sponsor has shown interest
in the neglected arts.

In cooperation with Matari Advertising, Guruh will blend
Indonesian folk arts with his contemporary works and present them
especially for expatriate audiences in consecutive charity nights
in Jakarta.

Funds collected from the performances will be donated to
development of folk arts.

"It's a shame that a lot of folk arts are dying in our
country. Topeng Cirebon (Cirebon mask dance) for example, has
lost its specialists and only one or two of its truly dedicated
dancers are left."

He hoped the shows, scheduled for Oct. 16 and Oct. 17 and
titled The Indonesian Spirit, would help polish the country's
image.

"A taste of our culture could return the real spirit of our
country to those who had savored it in the past." (46)