THE EDITOR – Everyone was stunned when Maestro Didik Nini Thowok returned to the stage with an unprecedented masterpiece, Bedhaya Hagoromo.
It was previously only performed in front of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X in 2014. Along with a new decision from the Yogyakarta Palace, the dance that was once only enjoyed by upper-class nobles now finally be showcased to the wider community through an international art performance called the Indonesian Dance Festival (IDF) 2024.
However, why did the IDF feature a male-only piece in the opening dance of the 2024 IDF this time?
It should be noted that the Bedhaya Hagoromo dance performed at the opening event of IDF 2024 featured 8 men led by Maestro Didik Nini Thowok and 4 other masters from the United States and Japan.
In performing this masterpiece, Didik combines two classical art forms, namely Bedhaya dance (Java) and Noh performance (Japan).
The formulation was formed when Didik found a similar story in Javanese and Japanese classical dance, the legend of Jaka Tarub.
The Editor had the opportunity to talk with one of IDF’s Co-Founders, Nungki Kusumastuti, who said that IDF this time indeed encouraged the concept of humanity, one of which was introduced through the opening dance Bedhaya Hagoromo.
“There are many gender issues that often appear in contemporary dance globally and also in Indonesia, even in religions in Indonesia,” said Nungki after the first day of IDF 2024 at Graha Bhakti Budaya Building, Taman Ismail Marzuki on Saturday (2/11/2024).
“Showcasing male dancers on stage is still a problem in Indonesia,” she says.
At IDF 2024, Nungki says she wants to show the world something new about Indonesian dance. It is that dance has a very deep meaning, not just prioritizing the beauty and techniques mastered by the dancers.
“The dance should make people very happy, that’s the most important thing. If the audience is happy, then the dance becomes a work of art. So dance is not just being able to dance with great technique or being beautiful and good, but more than that,” she said.
Nungki said she received no opposition from any religious group when she announced that the opening dance of the IDF would feature male dancers who would perform the Bedhaya, which historically has only been danced by women in the presence of Javanese kings.
According to her, the international community needs to know that IDF 2024 also fights for gender equality. Thus, this struggle is not just carried out by politicians, economists, governments, and so on.
It was also surprising for Nungki that the IDF 2024 festival tickets sold out on the first day of the show. According to her, this is a sign that there are still many art lovers who want to attend and watch contemporary dance in this modern era.
Featuring Didik Nini Thowok in the IDF 2024 festival is also an honor for Nungki because the Maestro has certain characteristics and is consistent in his field.
Related to this, Didik Nini Thowok, who met The Editor after the event, thanked Nungki for her praise. He said he was very happy to be able to perform a dance that was liked by many audiences from various backgrounds.
PROUD! IDF FEATURES SACRED DANCES
Petra Poelzl, curator of dance and performance at Berlin’s HAU Hebbel am Ufer, shared her excitement about attending the Indonesian Dance Festival (IDF) for its 32nd anniversary.
“I’m thrilled to be at the IDF and can’t wait for this exciting festival to unfold in the coming days,“ she remarked.
Petra was particularly drawn to the fusion of Javanese Bedhaya dance with Japanese Noh theater in Bedhaya Hagoromo and looked forward to seeing Didik Nini Thowok perform live.
“Held at Graha Bhakti Budaya, the 800-seat venue also enhanced the festival’s atmosphere,” She add.
