Taiko performance vows shoppers
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Thundering drums and vibrating cries filled Plaza Indonesia in Central Jakarta on Sunday afternoon, attracting curious crowds of shoppers investigating the source of the sound.
What they found were nine men and women pounding eight drums with wooden sticks, creating an impressive rhythm in the shopping center's La Moda Cafe.
The nine performers punctuated their drumming with deep cries that sent shivers through the spectators. The drummers also jumped and shifted places, all done in the highest of spirits.
What was taking place was a Taiko show, a traditional Japanese percussion performance to welcome the blossoming of the Sakura flowers in the summer. The performance was a version of the Oedo Sukerokuryuu from Tokyo.
Noted actress Christine Hakim was so impressed by the performance that she inquired about the possibility of attending one of the group's training sessions.
What really made the show special was that of a total of 52 performers, who were divided into six groups, only three were Japanese.
The group's spokesman, Rudyatman, told The Jakarta Post after the show that Taiko must be done in high spirits to please the ancestors.
He said the cries were in the style of the Kabuki, a traditional Japanese drama, and had religious meanings.
The Taiko players are mostly university students studying Japanese literature. They all are trained by Takako Kartasasmita, a Japanese man who has lived in Indonesia since the late 1960s.
Rudyatman said that to perform Taiko a person must be sincere, or else the sound of the drums would not be pure.
"Every drummer must understand the philosophy behind every strike," said Rudyatman.
The art of Taiko has been in Indonesia since early 1970s, but really began to gain popularity in the mid-1990s.
Rudy said his group was available for performances at private functions.
"Most of our clients are Japanese companies or individuals having wedding parties," he said.
The group charges Rp 2.5 million (US$305) per performance.
"However, how much we charge depends on the nature of the event," he said.