Sanggar Anak Akar to stage operetta

Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Rebellion by those once oppressed by the state has become an overly repetitive theme in arts. But in an upcoming event, it will breathe anew because the actors are deprived children, the very victims of an authoritarian regime.

Under the banner of Sanggar Anak Akar, a dozen or more children will perform in the operetta Nyanyian Para Boneka (The Dolls' Song) on April 24 and April 25 at Taman Ismail Marzuki's Graha Bhakti Budaya in Central Jakarta.

Reflecting on the real-life May 1998 anti-government movement, Nyanyian tells of a community of children who have their freedom of expression repressed.

"They are regarded as mere dolls. Taught to be quiet, obedient. Not to talk back to parents, be obedient to teachers, always be polite to their elders. That is the textbook of how children should behave in Negeri Dongeng (Fable Land)," Ibe Karyanto -- scriptwriter, director, and chairman of Sanggar Anak Akar -- said.

But just as students and the masses rose up against Soeharto in 1998, children of the Fable Land also got sick of the various strict measures depriving them of their freedom and, to the dismay of their elders, began to express all the pent up feelings.

Far from the general social injustice that had been the theme of the 1998 uprising, Ibe said that the operetta would focus on the national education system, especially the lack of freedom of expression.

"The performance will also be enhanced by an energetic dance, assisted by choreographer Elly D. Luthan (from the Deddy Luthan Dance Company)," he said, adding that music for the performance would be played by children aged between six years and 10 years.

Besides simply being an amusing performance for the general public, the operetta is intended as a training ground for the children of Sanggar Anak Akar.

Although written by Ibe Karyanto, the script was the result of a collaboration of the children of the Sanggar.

"The script is a direct reflection of the lives of deprived children. Every child is in fact an actor in his own story, because the scenes that they act out in are events and experiences taken from real life. The work of scriptwriters is only to piece out these personal stories the way a tailor sews up pieces of cloth," he said, explaining that the music arrangements were also the work of a similar collaboration.

The performance production team also comprises Sanggar Anak Akar's children themselves; T-shirts and costumes worn in the performance are the work of the printing and costume teams; the publication team creates catalogs and manages contacts with the media.

"Each child also finds new development in creativity and knowledge from the process of this production. They learn new things and at the same time transfer their knowledge to other children," Ibe said.

Nyanyian will be the 11th such production by Sanggar Anak Akar since 1994. Last year they performed Nyanyian Kaleng Rombeng II (Song of the Tattered Cans) and Bintang Gilang Gemilang (Shining Star).

Proceeds from the performance will be used to secure a plot of land for the Sanggar's permanent base. Sanggar Anak Akar -- a non-profit organization established in 1994 and dedicated to the education of deprived children in and around Jakarta -- currently occupies rented land in Cipinang Melayu, East Jakarta.

"We are getting worried because the lease expires this year and the owner plans to sell it. In the meantime, besides the location's easy access we already feel accepted in the neighborhood," Ibe explained.

Nyanyian will also be supported by famous Indonesian actresses such as Maudy Koesnaedy and Inne Febriyanti and musicians Oppie Andaresta, Katon Bagaskara and Andre Manika.

Nyanyian Para Boneka will be performed on Thursday April 24 and Friday April 25, at Graha Bhakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) Jl. Cikini Raya 73, Central Jakarta, at 08:00 p.m. For ticket reservations call Sanggar Anak Akar 021-8574923 or email sanggarakar@yahoo.com