Jakarta Performing Arts Market opens at TIM
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.