On 'La Galigo' theater
I refer to the article titled Reviving glorious Buginese past published in The Jakarta Post on Aug. 26.
Out of respect for the many outstanding scholars and cultural experts involved in the theatrical production of La Galigo, we wish to submit the following corrections to your article on Dr. Nurhayati Rahman and her work with La Galigo (Reviving glorious Buginese past, The Jakarta Post, Aug. 26, 2003).
Dr. Rahman and Halilintar Lathief were two of more than 12 La Galigo scholars and South Sulawesi cultural experts who have been involved with the Robert Wilson production of La Galigo over the last three years. They include some of the academic world's most respected individuals in Indonesia and abroad, including Dr. Fachruddin Amro Enre, Dr. Christian Pelras, Drs. Mohammad Salim, Drs. Sirtjo Koolhof, Dr. Roger Tol and Dr. Gilbert Hamonic.
In addition to scholars, our activities have been guided by Puamatoa Saidi, leader of the Bissu community of Segeri and leader of the traditional community of Luwu, South Sulawesi, Ibu Andi Ummu, the director of the Dewan Kesenian (Cultural Council) of Makassar; Ibu Ida, the founder/director of Angin Mamiri; and the more than 40 artists from South Sulawesi who are a part of our cast.
The idea for the production and all related materials were developed by us before either of us met Dr. Rahman. Neither Dr. Rahman nor Halilintar Lathief or any of our other collaborators have ever been asked to leave the project team, and none but Dr. Rahman and Lathief have. Though they never advised us directly of their discontent with our collaboration, we understood through the press that they did not wish to continue. As we write this note, the second staging workshop of La Galigo is taking place in Bali.
Pua Matoa Saidi, Drs. Muhammad Salim, Andi Ummu and Dr. Fachruddin have all reviewed the materials we are working on and are active members of the production team.
We regret that The Jakarta Post didn't try to contact us first before publishing the story, as it was not balanced and the facts were not verified.
RESTU KUSUMANINGRUM and RHODA GRAUER The Bali Purnati Center For The Arts Sukawati, Bali
Note: Thank you for your input. We will soon publish stories on the theatrical project and the surrounding controversy.
--Editor