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lthough advance technology has reached the remote areas, residents in the Sumberbendo hamlet, Kucur village, Dau subdistrict in Malang, East Java, stick to the Tayub traditional arts to interact with others.

Tayub stands for ditata ben guyub (creating a harmony) and for the residents of Sumberbendo hamlet, Tayub dance remains an effective means of interaction.

The Sumberbendo residents do not merely see Tayub dance as an art, but also as a legacy that should be preserved. Therefore, they have tried to revive the traditional art, after neglecting it for years.

The Tayub dance starts when a male guest receiving a sampur (a piece of shawl) from a ledhek (female dancer). Then, both the guest and ledhek dance on the stage. As soon as they finish the dance, the guest usually gives saweran money, ranging between Rp 5,000 and Rp 20,000, to ledhek.

In theory, Tayub is simply a dance competition among couples without abandoning moral standards. However, there were cases of misconduct and as a result people see Tayub as a decadent art.

Suprianto, head of Putra Krida Budaya Tayub group, and his five ledhek and waranggana (female singer) try to put Tayub into its original purpose.

"Tayub is an art to interact. The basic value is a similar interest in appreciating art, either as a pengrawit *gamelan player* or the dancer. The similar interest will create a harmony," Suprianto said.

Suprianto's team of ledhek and waranggana includes a mother and daughter team of ledhek Sunayah, 40, and waranggana Yeti, 25, who share the same passion for Tayub.