TV stations offer special Idul Fitri packages
JAKARTA (JP): To welcome Idul Fitri (Lebaran) on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10, the nation's six television stations are offering a variety of programs for TV audiences across the country.
State-owned TVRI and its Programa 2 along with private stations TPI, RCTI, SCTV, Indosiar and AN-teve will present shows with social and religious themes for those spending the holidays at home with their families.
TVRI has come up with an Idul Fitri package called Nikmatnya Mudik Lebaran (The Joys of Going Home for Lebaran), featuring artists from the Srimulat group, Pelita group and the Betiga group. The comedy will be shown tonight at 10:40 p.m.
Puisi, Gerak dan Lagu (Poetry, Dance and Song) is the station's other special program that will be aired live tomorrow at 12:30. Vina Panduwinata, Rita Effendi, Camelia Malik, Rafika Duri, Puput Novel, the Jimmy Manopo Band and other musicians will make appearances.
RCTI has more programs to offer and will start with coverage of Takbir Akbar, a public gathering to glorify the Lord on the eve of Idul Fitri, and Gema Takbir l997. The two shows will be broadcast tonight starting at 7:40 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
Gema Takbir will feature 700 youngsters from 67 orphanages in Jakarta. The show will be supported by 42 artists, including Gilang Ramadhan, Dwiki Darmawan, Gito Rollies, Krisdayanti, Eet Shayranie, Ita Purnamasari and Rita Effendi and Maudy Koesnaedi.
The show will incorporate various folk music elements from Gending Bali (Balinese songs), Rebana, bedug (a local drum), Rampak Gendang and other forms of traditional percussion.
On Sunday and Monday, RCTI will air "farewell" episodes of its popular sinetron (TV drama) program Si Doel Anak Sekolahan (Doel the Graduate). Both episodes of Si Doel, which will resume next season, will be broadcast at 7:30 p.m.
Hajatan Besar (A Big Party) will entertain audiences who tune in RCTI on Tuesday night (Feb. 11) at 7:30 p.m. Titik Puspa, Gito Rollies, Bagito group, Tarzan, Timbul, Nunung, Mamik and Cici form the nerve center of the comedy dealing with the Wiro family.
RCTI will also carry a concert of Malay-Deli music. Produced by Jay Subyakto and arranged by musician Erwin Gutawa, the concert boasts a lineup of top artists like Chrisye, Yana Julio, Ike Nurjanah, Fahmi Shahab, Iis Dahlia, Yuni Shara and Dewi Gita.
The station has not overlooked junior viewers. RCTI has prepared an operetta called Silaturahmi presented by the Jakarta Dance Company, the Elfa Choir and young violinists Didiet Aditya and Sanggar Aga.
'Sinetron'
SCTV, will focus on sinetron with religious themes, including Seharum Nafasmu Ya Ramadhan, to be aired on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Comedy lovers should tune in Sunday at 3 p.m. for Kena Batunye, starring Titi Dwi Jayanti, Eddy Riwanto and Nazar Amir.
Lebaran Ya Lebaran on Sunday at 1 p.m. will present a mix of traditional and modern music by artist such as Kris Dayanti, Mel Shandy and Gito Rollies. It will be highlighted by a percussion performance, traditional Terbang Gidor from Lamongan, East Java, and traditional dance group, Pentasindo.
No less interesting is AN-teve's Idul Fitri lineup. Ketupat Betawi, the work of the Empat Sekawan comedy group, airs Sunday and Monday at 8 a.m.
Indosiar has prepared Semarak Takbir for Saturday at 7:40 p.m. The program, dealing with the lives of people living in slum areas, will feature the music of Bimbo, Chrisye, Rafika Duri, Novia Kolopaking, scholar Emha Ainun Nadjib and poet Taufik Ismail.
Education station TPI will show Helolai on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. The 48-minute children's program was jointly produced by TV stations in four ASEAN countries, including Indonesia's TPI, Brunei Darussalam's Radio Televisi Brunei, and Malaysia's TV 3. Children from the four countries will present colorful folk songs and dances in celebration of the Idul Fitri, play traditional games and give lessons on how to make handicrafts like paper umbrellas and angklung, a musical instrument made from bamboo.
TPI will also carry performances by the Twilite Orchestra on Monday Feb. 10 and Saturday Feb. 15, both at 7:30 p.m. For the first time, the orchestra will blend classic, pop and qasidah (Arabic style) music.
Addie M.S., the conductor, said the orchestra will present a number of religious songs, including Sang Penyeru (The Caller), performed by the Pravita Sari Qasidah group. Dangdut singer Iis Dahlia, together with the Twilite Chorus choir group, will perform Bimbo's Anak Bertanya Pada Bapaknya (A Child Ask His Father), while Elfa's Singers will perform Elfa Seciora and Wieke Gur's Raihlah Kemenangan (Reach for Victory). The orchestra will also perform Malay songs such as Timang-Timang Anakku Sayang, performed by Evie Tamala, and Mochtar Embut's Bulan Ramadhan. Teenage group AB Three will perform Suaramu, a pop song with a religious touch. (raw)