Jakarta Performing Arts Market opens at TIM

By Stevie Emilia

JAKARTA (JP): The rhythmical beats of emme drums from the Komoro tribe of Mimika in Irian Jaya marked the Friday night opening of Jakarta Performing Arts Market 1997, at the Ismail Marzuki Art Center.

The emme, was then followed by a Tahe, the Komoro's opening dance for traditional ceremonies.

Attired in kowu traditional dance costumes made from the finest bark of sago trees and ataiwi woven blankets made of a cassowary bird's feathers, the dancers awed the audience, keeping them glued to their seats for the entire performance.

On stage, the Komoro dancers moved in rows with their group leader dressed only in the feathers of a cendrawasih (bird of paradise).

The Komoro's performance was followed by Tulak Bla dance from Kerinci, Jambi.

The Tulak Bla, which was dominated by the harmonious beats of big tambourines played by 20 performers chanting in praise of God, is meant to clean up the village and drive away disasters.

Those dances are part of 26 performances being staged during the month-long event, which runs through Sept. 1.

The event is being held to commemorate Teater Koma's 20th anniversary, which fell on March 1. The theater group is the coordinator of all the performances.

The organizing committee's director, Ratna Riantiarno, said the event is being held to encourage the public to get into the spirit of art, everywhere and in whatever condition the art is performed.

"An 'atmosphere of doing art' is not a gift from heaven ... it has to be conquered and established," Ratna said.

"There is an optimism, 'something' has to be found in each show participating in Arts Market. Something closely related to our inner heart and aesthetic memories," she said.

Ratna and her husband, N. Riantiarno, are two figures behind the success of Teater Koma.

In Friday's opening ceremony, a book was launched on Teater Koma's activities since 1977, entitled Potret Tragedi dan Komedi Manusia Indonesia (A Tragic Picture and Comedy of Indonesians), written by Herry Gendut Janarto.

Twenty-four groups, comprising four foreign participants, from India, France, Germany and Singapore, and 20 local participants, will stage 26 performances, including modern, traditional and street plays, dances, a music workshop, discussions and book exhibitions.

Twelve dancers from India will perform Bharata Natyam, from the Mahabrata epic. Participants from France will perform Le Qircue Baroque, a street theater which combines acrobatic, theater and music elements.

Singapore will stage two plays, The Eagle and the Cat and My Mother's Chest, and participants from Germany will perform Ensemble for Intuitive Music Weimar.