Raisa admits she initially lacked confidence playing Srikandi

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Singer Raisa Andriana has admitted she initially lacked confidence to play the character Srikandi in the Sabang Merauke performance titled ‘Hikayat Srikandi Nusantara’.

During a press conference after the first day’s performance at Indonesia Arena, Gelora Bung Karno complex, Central Jakarta, on Friday evening (21/8), Raisa said that during early rehearsals she felt embarrassed every time she had to deliver dialogue.

‘At first, every time I rehearsed, after every single word, I felt embarrassed. Now I am confident,’ she said.

After the first performance of ‘Hikayat Srikandi Nusantara’ ended, she felt very relieved to have overcome one of her biggest challenges.

‘I am so happy. I feel that today I finally broke through and became Srikandi. I had been holding back the Raisa side of me. So this is the first time I have smiled since this morning,’ she joked.

Raisa had to portray Srikandi by acting, singing and dancing on stage.

For Raisa, her performance in the show was not only measured by her ability to bring the character of Srikandi to life, but also by conveying a message to the audience.

According to her, the audience’s applause that could be heard when Srikandi spoke showed that the message she wanted to deliver was well received.

‘I am also happy because I could carry a message that is so weighty, yet also so important in this Sabang Merauke performance,’ Raisa said.

‘Not simply because, oh, the moment was good, but because the message itself was received by the audience,’ she said.

‘So I am very happy, not just because I am part of this rich Sabang Merauke performance, but I am proud because I could convey such an important message, especially given Indonesia’s current circumstances,’ she said.

Raisa is one of the female artists bringing to life the stories of women from across the archipelago in ‘Hikayat Srikandi Nusantara’.

In the performance, singer Yura Yunita plays Mahadewi, Christine Tambunan plays Dayang Sumbi, Mirabeth Sonia plays Mandeh Rubayah, and Pradnya Larasari plays Calon Arang.

The Sabang Merauke performance ‘Hikayat Srikandi Nusantara’ features female characters from folk tales across various regions of Indonesia.

The show, which features 103 choreographies and 28 songs, involves around 1,700 performers, including 15 singers, one band, 387 dancers, traditional musicians playing 50 traditional instruments, 119 choir members, 60 orchestra musicians, 11 choreographer teams, and 16 costume designers.