Enjoying the rain

Mon, February 4, 2019 / 06:27 pm

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One of the stages featured in the 2019 International Rain Festival. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Children walk in the rain before joining the festival. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Diane Butler of the United States performs at the festival. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Mugiyono (left, dressed in blue) walks with children and other participants to introduce the festival in Kartasura, Central Java, on Saturday (Jan. 12, 2019). JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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The Peni dance troupe performs their routine. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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A jug of water filled with rose petals and jasmine acts as a prop for a performance. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Another performance from the Peni dance troupe. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Nerisa of the Philippines performs a dance at the festival. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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A Reog Ponorogo dance troupe performs during the festival. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan

Maksum Nur Fazan

Januari, hujan sehari-hari (In January, it rains every day). A lot of people are very familiar with this term. Some enjoy the rain, others do not. Rain helps water farms and is often a source of drinking water.

At the Mugidance Studio in Kartasura, Central Java, rain served as inspiration for the 2019 International Rain Festival on Jan. 12- 13. The event included numerous performances, including a contemporary dance, a Reog (a dance that demonstrates physical strength with dancers wearing an extravagant lion-peafowl mask and costumes) and a puppet show.

Several local and foreign artists took part in the festival, including Mbah Prapto from Surakarta in Central Java, Diane Butler of the United States, Nerisa of the Philippines, dalang (puppeteer) Agung Bimo, Otniel, Wagi Indriya and host Mugidance Junior.

The festival was held to express the people’s gratitude for the rain, as well as a means of communication with God, Butler said. [yan]