In the performance, EKI Dance Company presents a mix of dance, theater, music and songs enriched with the culture of Cina Peranakan Indonesia (Indonesians of Chinese descent). Like EKI’s previous performances, this event is fully supported by Djarum Apresiasi Budaya.

The cabaret, set to be performed from March 20-March 24 at the Jakarta Playhouse, tells of rivalry in love, money and power in a Peranakan family that runs a batik business. In evincing the mix of cultures that form the identity of Chinese-Indonesians, the batik ornaments and attire used in the performance hail from Kudus, Central Java.

Renitasari, program director of Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation, said the concept of the peformance was interesting in its blending of cultural forms.

”We saw there was an oriental nuance mixed with batik. Therefore, we suggested using Batik Kudus, which is almost forgotten as one of Indonesia’s coastal batiks,” she said.

The performance, involving a 300-strong crew of actors, dancers, choreographers, artistic and stage workers, lasts 90 minutes. Packaged in a visual dance-motion graphic design using state-of-art multimedia technology, the performance’s line up includes, among others, Sarah Sechan, Uli Herdinansyah, Cynthia Lamusu, Bayu Oktara, Ary Kirana, Sahita group and the EKI Dance Company.

Producer Herwindra Aiko Senosoenoto said that through the cabaret, they wanted to show another side of Indonesia’s cultural resources. The existence of Peranakan society in Indonesia was evidence of the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

”The batik business run by a Cina Peranakan family in the cabaret is a reflection of Indonesia and China’s cultural acculturation that is already becoming a part of Indonesia,” Herwindra said.

During the 16 years of its existence, EKI Dance Company has remained consistent in staging international quality performances with distinctive Indonesian touches. EKI usually takes its themes from daily life, especially urban phenomena.

The company initially recruited teens from troubled backgrounds. Their involvement in EKI Dance Company gradually helped them start afresh and nurture their full commitment to the arts. Some of the previous performances of EKI Dance Company have been Ken Dedes, Madame Dasima, Lover & Liars, Laki-Laki,  Gallery of Kisses, China Moon, Forbiden Passion, Freakin Crazy You, Miss Kadaluarsa and Jakarta Love Riot.

Established in 1992, Djarum Apresiasi Budaya has supported more than 1,000 cultural activities as part of Djarum Foundation programs. Djarum Apresiasi Budaya’s mission is to improve public interest in Indonesia’s cultural heritage as well as supporting creative people to keep creating. –

Djarum Apresiasi Budaya has collaborated with cultural experts, artists and art groups in realizing their creative ideas. Some of the art performances that it has promoted include, among others, Teater Koma’s Sie Jin Kwie, Jakarta Love Riots, Ali Topan The Musical, Indonesia Kita (Our Indonesia), Sangkala 9/10, Beta Cinta Indonesia-GSP (I Love Indonesia), Kabaret Keroncong (The Keroncong Cabaret), Teater Koma’s Antigoneo, Opera Diponegoro, and Langgam Tiga Hati (Three Hearts’ Melody).

Efforts to revive or reintroduce heritage with new breakthroughs have also been undertaken. One of them is the Pagelaran Drama Sinema (cinematic drama performance), a performance that mixes cinema, orchestra, Broadway, shadow puppetry and human puppets.

Djarum Apresiasi Budaya also supports other programs, such as “Indonesia Exploride”, a ride across Indonesia with a unique and challenging concept, with a biker and documenting team recording the biker’s journey through video, photos and journals. The exploration is not only about visiting destinations, but also involves a process of capturing history, culture and beautiful scenery.

The exploration program is also supported by dozens of celebrities who are originally from the places visited. The celebrities accompany the “Indonesia Exploride” team to introduce the cultural aspects of their respective hometowns.

Djarum Apresiasi Budaya strives to introduce, develop and nurture the nation’s cultural heritage, such as by collaborating with Perkumpulan Rumah Pesona Kain, a non-profit organization run by prominent women to protect Indonesia’s textile heritage, and also by holding ”Pesona Batik Kudus”, aimed at increasing appreciation for the disappearing batik from Kudus.

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