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)