THE EDITOR – 50 Years of Didik Nini Thowok’s Work held at Taman Budaya Yogyakarta (TBY) on 6-8 December 2024 was enlivened by the performances of the Maestro’s friends from all over the world.
This cultural party was also made to celebrate Didik Nini Thowok’s 70th anniversary. The Editor had the opportunity to attend and watch this special cultural performance that was made free for the people of Yogyakarta.
Arriving early, The Editor headed straight to the dressing room at Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, which was already crowded with artists, dancers, and dressers on the first day of the cultural party on Friday (6/12/2024).
Didik looked very cheerful and enthusiastic, even though he was busy putting on the batik cloth that he wore in his first performance. The man whose real name is Didik Hadiprayitno never loses his smile.
“Ah, you’ve arrived. Please, come. Many guests are here as well. I’m sorry for the crowd, everyone is getting ready. Please, make yourself at home,” said Didik kindly.
Despite being very busy, Eyang Didik, as he is familiarly called, immediately introduced the guests who were present that afternoon to The Editor.
Didik also seemed to have no problem sharing the dressing room with the young dancers. His simplicity in thinking invites admiration, considering he is a maestro who has performed all over the world. There is no arrogance in his behaviour at all.
The young dancers were free to move around while preparing their costumes. Photographers were also allowed to pass by to capture Didik’s poses while preparing in the dressing room.
Such a situation might be rarely seen in today’s modern world. But not in Didik Nini Thowok’s world.
“For me, there is no seniority. Everyone’s the same, as long as they are serious and diligent. I apply the same thing even for the make-up room. You can see that everyone is very focused on doing their part,” says Didik, who was appointed as the opening dancer of the Indonesia Dance Festival in Jakarta not long ago.
Through this cultural festival, Didik hopes that more young people will focus on whatever they want to do. Just like him who finally managed to get maestro recognition from the world.
LECTURER OF ISI: DIDIK NINI THOWOK IS SMART AND STEALS THE START
Daruni, a lecturer at the Dance Department of Indonesia Institute of Art (ISI) Yogyakarta who attended both nights of 50 Years of Didik Nini Thowok’s Work, said in particular that the Maestro was a genius and succeeded in becoming a pioneer in dancing classical and sacred Javanese dances such as Bedhaya in front of Sultan Hamengkubowono X.
“This 50-year festival is very monumental. ‘Cah ndeso’ (the country boy) stole the start, in my opinion, when he danced Bedhaya Hagoromo in front of the Sultan. I think he is very smart and Allah allowed him to do that,” said Daruni.
Bedhaya dance is a classical Javanese dance that can only be performed in the presence of kings. This dance is also only performed by women who have special skills because of its difficult movements.
However, Didik Nini Thowok, in December 2014, performed Bedhaya Hagoromo combined with Japanese culture. Not only that, all the dancers who performed this dance were men.
“I myself feel like I missed it. But Bedhaya Hagoromo Dance is Didik’s form of gratitude to the Sultan who has raised him to be a strong and cultured human being, until he travelled all over the world, and in the end chose to live in Yogya, not in Temanggung (Didik’s hometown). This is extraordinary,” Daruni said.
The celebration of 50 Years of Didik’s Work, according to Daruni, is a special achievement because at the age of 70, Didik is still actively working, cultivating, and making arts.
“Things like this should be celebrated,” he said.
Didik, said Daruni, prioritises friendship in his work. That’s because, in his career, he doesn’t just think about money.
“His friends come from all over the world because they love Mr. Didik. They all love and want to perform ketoprak even though they are seniors for Mr. Didik. This is very cool,” he said.
Daruni hopes that more and more young artists will emerge, especially from Chinese descent, who want to work and become a dance maestro from Indonesia.
Currently, Daruni said, there are many children of Chinese descent who are addicted to Javanese culture and perform in many places with ISI lecturers.
