T

his is a story of a prince who unites his people and inspires his men to fight against colonialism. This is the story of Javanese prince Pangeran Diponegoro.

Choreographer Sardono W. Kusumo worked with musician Iwan Fals presenting Java War! Opera Diponegoro (1825-0000) at Taman Ismail Marzuki in Central Jakarta from Nov. 11-13.

“There are a number of values that we can learn from this show — the values of freedom and solidarity,” show director Sardono said. Sardono plays the part of old Diponegoro.

The rehearsal on Thursday evening was attended by hundreds of invited guests and journalists. The huge backdrop from the famous painting by Raden Saleh depicting the arrest of Diponegoro was undoubtedly the first thing to charm the audience.

Being a narrator, Iwan delivers a libretto about Diponegoro’s biography while playing his guitar. With his well-known style of singing and soulful voice, the 50-year-old singer-songwriter delivered the story in 10 songs.

He began with “Kembang Sinom”, which was followed by “Politik Sosial Budaya” (Cultural and social politics), “Letusan Gunung Merapi” (Mount Merapi eruption), “Patok-patok” (The poles), “Ratu Adil, Ratu Kidul, Pesta (Messiah, Party), “Takbir” (Praising God), “Hey de Kock” and “Pelayaran” (Sailing).

“I am glad to get involved in this show. To me, singing is just like dancing. This [narration] is like jazz, which always develops,” Iwan said.

The very first chapter was opened with Mozart’s requiem music. A man wearing Papua’s koteka (penis sheath) danced with long ropes dangling around his body, representing the ingenious people who are in clash with global forces.

The second chapter tells about young Diponegoro, played by Danang Pamungkas, who lived a modest life as a farmer in Tegalrejo village. When Mount Merapi erupted on Dec. 28, 1822, he took his wife, Ratna Ningsih (played by Rizki Suharlin Putri) back to their bed to make love. The two dancers smoothly expressed their passion in intimate and slow movements.

The next chapter offered a fresh break as the story introduced a conflict that occurred following the Dutch colonial administration’s decision to build a toll road at the expense of fertile village paddy fields. A number of male dancers invited laughter with a dose of comedy.

Sardono closed the play with his powerful dance, which flew along Iwan’s music and songs.

The show presented a pinch of surprise in every chapter through dance and lighting. — JP/Indah Setiawati