Puppet People / wayang orang

Indonesian arts may not be very popular and liked in his own country. However, it does not mean the Indonesian arts unpopular abroad. Wayang art played by the group of Indonesian Wayang Heritage gets rousing welcome at the Opera House in Sydney, Australia, and is scheduled to play in a number of countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Cultural observer, Jaya Suprana after accompanying some members of the Indonesian Wayang Heritage group met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the presidential office, Jakarta, February 17, 2011 said, some countries are interested in wayang art.

He explains, some countries already invited, among others, Germany, France, South Africa, and Singapore. Puppet group this person will be able to fulfill the invitation if you get the support from the government. "The limitations are in terms of funds," he said.

At the time meet the president, Jaya Suprana also reported that the puppet group of people that have come up with the play Banjaran Gatotkaca at the Opera House in Sydney, Australia, on December 18, 2010.

Appearances puppet group of people that got applause from an Australian citizen and an Indonesian citizen who lived in the kangaroo country. At that time, the Wayang Orang Indonesia Treasures featuring stories of heroism Gatot Kaca. They were able to attract the attention of an Australian citizen since inserting the use of English when appearing.

Wayang Orang Indonesia Heritage had raised funds amounting to Rp110 million when it appeared in Sidney. "That we donate to our brother in the vicinity of Merapi," said Jaya Suprana.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik said the government always supports the Indonesian cultural missions abroad.

According to him, the puppet man is a very valuable art and contains a remarkable philosophy of life. "Every episode puppet man is his moral message," said Jero Wacik.

Currently, Jero Wacik was organizing a meeting between some groups of people and the puppet president. He also arranged for Wayang Orang Indonesia Heritage can perform at the Presidential Palace complex.

Gamelan

Gamelan is the original art owned by the Indonesian people, musical instruments of this metal in their own country in its development as dianaktirikan, sometimes he labeled as the traditional arts community edges and outdated. This contrast actually happened in the United States, this Javanese musical instrument has become one of the Education curriculum in the land of Uncle Sam.

Slowly but surely, gamelan music and dance traditions from Indonesia who had entered the United States since 15 years ago, has now been included in the curriculum of education in the country Uncle Sam is from kindergarten level to college. Check it, leading universities like UCLA, San Diego, Berkeley, Wisconsin, Washington has made the traditional arts of Java has become one of the curriculum that is more proud of them and again is that when recording gendhing / song / composition gamelan "Puspawarna" brought in a landing mission the first man on the moon by Neil Armstrong and echoed throughout the world.

Although it's too late, interest in American society Indonesian arts tradition this will progressively increase, "Music and dance traditions of gamelan from Indonesia is indeed a bit late entry into the United States compared to the traditional culture of origin in other countries, however its development is quite good and now have been included in educational curricula in these superpower "said Director Sumunar Indonesian Gamelan Music and Dance.

Indonesia Sumunar Music and Dance itself is a performing arts organization that the average faculty member, teacher and students in particular have a mission to promote knowledge and appreciation of music, dance and culture of Indonesia through performances and teaching. Activity-based organization in Minnesota, the United States is focused on performing and learning the art of gamelan music and dance.

Already there are 15 thousand more United States persons who studied gamelan and dance from Indonesia.

President Sumunar Indonesian Music and Dance, Linda James at the event said that until now has been there 15 thousand more United States persons who studied gamelan and dance from Indonesia and they already have 15 sets of gamelan are all purchased from artisans in Bekonang gamelan, Sukoharjo, Java middle.

On 5-19 July 2010 yesterday, the U.S. A total of 18 people who joined in this Sumunar organizes tours to Indonesia in order to know more about to gamelan music and dance traditions from their country of origin, their great hope for this art activity can be done in collaboration with art American gamelan Javanese origin of art.

Karanganyar Regent, Rina Iriani Sri Ratnaningsih, welcomed the arrival of the group from the United States who have been able to Javanese gamelan and dance. "I am very amazed that the Americans were also pleased with the gamelan and Javanese dance. We should also not be ashamed if gamelan and dance ". he said.

On occasion, Rina also offered to the American origin of this group to be able to come back to Karanganyar by bringing many participants and entertainment will be given a variety of traditional arts of Java more complete again. Regent on that occasion also danced together with the entourage of this American dance and gamelan Gambyong.