Puppetmasters no longer support govt policies

JAKARTA (JP): It is no secret that during former president Soeharto's New Order regime, Javanese shadow puppet masters, dalang, served as tools of government propaganda.

Dalang were made to "socialize", as the government loved to call it, state development programs such as family planning or the need for the poor to further tighten their belts -- all of which had nothing to do with the story or moral lessons of the lakon, or the story being performed.

Many dalang who truly respect the philosophy of the Javanese wayang (shadow puppets), grumbled about the government's interference.

In July last year, barely two months after Soeharto's fall, some 150 dalang from all over Java gathered in the ancient city of Surakarta to share ideas about what they could do to restore their image.

The puppet masters' concern was shared by cultural activists who wished to preserve wayang and local culture in general, as well as remove all interference from wayang.

To prove their commitment to preserve wayang, the cultural activists are organizing an ambitious Wayang Festival. The festival kicked off at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, last night. The festival, which also includes seminars and workshops on Javanese culture, will run until December and wayang shows will be held in major cities across Central and East Java.

"From now on, dalang should no longer be used as a political propaganda machine," Aiko Senosoenoto, the festival's production manager, told The Jakarta Post.

"Dalang should serve as the voice of truth and should belong to all people regardless of which organization they are affiliated with," Aiko, who chairs Eksotika Karmawibhangga Indonesia, said.

Eksotika is cosponsoring the event in cooperation with the Jakarta Art Institute, Ismail Marzuki Arts Center and the Movement for Justice and National Unity.

The festival also aims to promote wayang among the younger generation, who often are overwhelmed by their exposure to western culture.

With freedom of expression budding after 32 years of repressive rule under Soeharto, wayang masters are expected to be innovative so their philosophy keeps up with modern realities, Aiko said.

Scheduled to perform at the festival are puppet masters from the Dalang Network 1999. Dalang H. Sujiwo Tejo opened the festival last night at Ismail Marzuki Arts Center. Tonight, the festival will feature dalang Slamet Gundono at the same venue.

"Dalang in the network are supposed to remind each other of their moral obligation to propagate the truth," Aiko said. (pan)