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Fulfilling a promise: Teater Abnon revives Betawi’s ‘gambang kromong’ with ‘Janji Soekma’
Teater Abnon features Betawi traditional gambang kromong music in their upcoming production and celebrates its 14th anniversary.
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Abnon Teater performers (standing from left) Luthfi Ardiansyah, Fitria Aprilia, Maudy Koesnaedi, Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation representative Billy Gamaliel, Mia Ismi and Vidan Mathensz pose with other cast members at Galeri Indonesia Kaya after a press conference in Jakarta on Sept. 21, 2023. The crew will play 'Janji Soekma: Langgam Gambang Kehidupan' (Soekma’s Promise: The Rhythm of Life) at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta on Oct. 6-8, 2023. (JP/Sylviana Hamdani)
In the spur of the moment, we often make bold promises, not fully realizing their hold on us for many years to come.
Such a scenario unfolded in 1993 when Maudy Koesnaedi, a determined young model, stood before a panel of judges during the finals of the Abang None (Mr. & Miss) Jakarta pageant. With unwavering confidence, she vowed that, if she won the pageant, she would initiate an event that would perpetuate Betawi’s rich cultural heritage to the young generation.
“At that time, I just gave the answer in order to win [the pageant],” Maudy said, with a chuckle, during a press conference at Galeri Indonesia Kaya, Jakarta, on Sept. 21.
And Maudy indeed claimed the title of None (Miss) Jakarta 1993 and embarked on a journey to champion Betawi culture.
In addition, she also played a prominent role in the beloved TV series Si Doel Anak Sekolahan (Doel, the Schoolkid, aired in between 1994-2003), spotlighting Betawi’s people and their culture, as well as its subsequent TV series and movies.
“But [Si Doel] was not something that I initiated,” she said. “It’s not really what I’d promised.”
Fulfilling her promise, Maudy then produced a play based on Jakarta’s well-known legend and enlisted alumni of Abang None from her base in North Jakarta to star in it.
