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Scholarship opens up doors to art and culture
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 08/19/2007 7:12 AM
Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung
Winning a scholarship to learn about the country's art and culture has opened up opportunities for foreign students to learn something they could find in their own countries but have not had the chance to study.
The opportunities were experienced by Thai student Kewarin Sukket and 12 other colleagues from various countries.
They have been learning various aspects of Sundanese art and culture at Saung Angklung Udjo music studio in Bandung, West Java, since May 30 this year.
The 13 university students are among 50 recipients of Indonesia Art and Culture Scholarships from the country's Foreign Affairs Ministry this year.
Sukket, or Key as she is fondly called, has never been attracted to learn her country's signature Thai boxing or bamboo musical instruments.
""That's why at the beginning, it was very difficult for me to follow the classes,"" said the Chiang Mai University student who studies Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).
""I never learned about fighting and playing traditional music until I came here to learn,"" she said before finally declaring her classes were fun.
Another student, Margaret G. Caulton from Solomon Island, has never played the Paposa bamboo musical instrument, which is only slightly different from the Arumba bamboo musical instrument she learned at Saung Udjo.
""I've never played it (the Paposa). But here, we must learn about bamboo music,"" said Maggy.
Key confessed she loved playing the bamboo musical instrument since the tone is set and can easily be used to play pop or classical music.
""We have to play it together, as one. If someone's not playing, the sound is not great,"" said Key.
The students were in Saung Udjo for over two months, where they got up close and personal with various aspects of Sundanese art and culture, from traditional Pencak Silat martial art, angklung bamboo musical instrument, gamelan traditional orchestra to Jaipongan dance.
The students are scheduled to demonstrate their skills at the end of their stay on Aug. 19 in Jakarta.
Sok Sidony, a student from Pnom Penh, Cambodia, confessed she was no longer feeling homesick. ""The people are very nice here,"" Sok said.
Rapid progress was visible from the only Indian man receiving the scholarship, Gorment Singh Pudda or Monty.
Wanting to be a singer, Monty was quick to master Bahasa Indonesia and the vegetarian has no problem with food either.
""The first time I saw a bamboo music instrument was when they (the Saung Udjo team) came to Jakarta, carrying angklung,"" Monty said.
The students trained almost every day but could go out to enjoy tourist sites in Bandung and around over the weekend.
Satria Yanuar Akbar, head of Saung Udjo's business development, said it was the fifth time for the studio to host scholarship students. The ministry has organized the scholarship since 2003.
The recipients were divided into four groups to learn Sundanese culture in Bandung, Javanese in Yogyakarta and Surakarta, and Bali.
Apart from learning art and culture, the recipients were also encouraged to learn local language and become familiar with food.
Satrya said such scholarships were important to promote Sundanese culture overseas while improving the quality of art and culture.
""Since we have been the host for five years, we always want to improve ourselves, presenting ideal art and culture lectures not only for the ministry's but also the country's reputation,"" he said.
