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View all search resultsCelebrating anniversary with wayang performance
The Lontar Foundation, a nonprofit organization, will stage a wayang (shadow puppet) performance in a bid to preserve traditional culture, as well as raise funds for an educational package and encyclopedia about wayang for schools throughout Indonesia
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T
he Lontar Foundation, a nonprofit organization, will stage a wayang (shadow puppet) performance in a bid to preserve traditional culture, as well as raise funds for an educational package and encyclopedia about wayang for schools throughout Indonesia.
The event, to take place on Oct. 30 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuningan, South Jakarta, is being held in conjunction with the foundation's anniversary on Oct. 28.
Ki Mantheb Soedharsono, a prominent dalang (shadow-puppet master) from Surakarta in Central Java, will deliver the story of Babad Wanamarta, which will incorporate an English translation.
The performance is about the journey of the Pandawa brothers to establish a new kingdom called Amarta after their previous one, Astina, was destroyed by Kurawa.
"We are trying to preserve our culture," said Lontar Foundation chairman John H. McGlynn. "If Indonesians do not maintain it, as well as promote it, the tradition may be claimed by other countries."
He added the organizers decided to hold the performance at the JW Marriott Hotel in an effort to aid the recovery process of the hotel after it was attacked by a suicide bomber three months ago.
Besides the Lontar Foundation, other organizations such as the Putro Wijoyo Parwo Foundation, the Center for Information and Development Studies (Cides) and the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Puppet Masters Association also feature in the program.
The event is the third of five performances known as the Bima Series, which have been played by five famous puppet masters in the country.
The first performance, held on April 24 at the Dharmawangsa Hotel in South Jakarta, by Ki Anom Suroto, is a story called Bimo Bungkus, about the birth of Bima, the second of the Pandawa brothers. The second story, which took place at the Cilandak Town Square shopping mall in August, caught many people's attention. The organizers chose the mall because it is a favorite place for young people and they were aiming to promote wayang among the youth.
The remaining two performances, Wirata Parwa by Ki Sugito Purbocarito and Kresna Duta by Ki Purbo Asmoro, will be showcased in the near future.
Tickets for Babad Wanamarta are also available from the Lontar Foundation, selling from Rp 500,000 (US$50) to Rp 750,000.
