Umar Kayam's short story impresses Jakartans

By Yenni Kwok

JAKARTA (JP): If a success was measured by the author's blessing, the music and story reading by brothers Djaduk Ferianto and Butet Kertaredjasa had been a big accomplishment.

Author Umar Kayam, whose short story "Drs. Citraksa and Drs. Citraksi" was read last Tuesday, shared the night of laughter with the audience of Graha Bhakti Budaya.

He smiled and laughed as Butet, the fifth son of renown choreographer Bagong Kussudiardjo, made alive the pathetic characters from his piece. Djaduk, Butet's more famous youngest brother, composed the music.

The music and short story reading was originally performed last June in Yogyakarta. Then titled Pak Kayam Pamit Pensiun (Pak Kayam Says Good Bye to Retire), it was to honor Kayam's retirement from Gadjah Mada University.

"The story is a portrayal of our time," Kayam said after the performance. "The story became better. They had a good and creative approach."

Although their Jakarta performance was no longer associated with Kayam's retirement event, the content was still relevant to any occasion.

Witty humor and satires dominated the two-part performance.

The two brothers took turn to carry the weight. The first part highlighted Djaduk's musical and theatrical talent.

His music score, "Kursi Goyang Pak Ageng" (Pak Ageng's Rocking Chair), revolved around the concept of "seat" and power.

Djaduk also made fun of a leader, who still ruled in feudalistic tradition. Pak Ageng, acted by a man with a round face and a safari shirt, enjoyed Djaduk's music in his rocking chair.

The soothing music soon turned to be disturbing. Rebana players surrounded the leader, waking him up from his peaceful rest. He jumped from his chair and shouted, "Shut up! If it's time to step down, I will step down!"

Djaduk was a maestro. Or, a chef. He knew how to mix the ingredients of music, theater and literature to make it appealing to the audience.

Even his music was a combination of jazz, gamelan and gambus music. His band combined gamelan instruments, electronic organs, rebanas and a clarinet.

Nothing was new in this performance. It still showcased the same elements: Djaduk's music, humor and satires. Yet, it was something the audience were never tired of.

After all, the Maestro was not blind to the current situation. On stage, he gave opportunities for people to laugh and relieve their oppressed concerns.

Nonetheless, Djaduk off stage was not as naughty. "We are only being playful," said the 33-year-old artist.

The show climaxed at the second part, featuring Kayam's piece. It was a ridiculing portrayal of nepotism, a common practice of the powerful here.

Regent Beragalrebo was once asked by his beloved uncle to accommodate his twin cousins, Citraksi and Citraksa, into his bureaucratic machinery. (The twins' names are taken from Mahabharata epic; they are the always lost Kurawa twin brothers.)

If the twins were smart and intelligent, it would be no problem. But they always stuttered whenever they had to carry important tasks.

Butet, still active at Teater Gandrik, showed off his theatrical talent in enlivening Kayam's story.

The serious-looking bespectacled man personified different characters. He was the bewildered Regent Beragalrebo, the toothless old dukun (medicine man), the stuttering twins Citraksi and Citraksa. The 46-year-old artist was the star of the night.

The brothers have worked before in a musical performance, Musik Humor (Musical Humor) between 1970 and 1979.

Their work has impressed another literary figure. Writer Danarto has asked them to read his short story, possibly in October.