The ‘mini’ Puppet Show by Woro Mustikasiwi in Sanggar Greget Semarang

In Sanggar Greget Semarang, there was a mini puppet show on Sunday afternoon around 4 p.m. Sanggar Greget held a “syukuran” (expression of gratitude to God) for its birthday that already on April 25 and the achievement got as The Best Performance in Pawai Budaya Nusantara TMII at the same time.

The puppet show was presented by Woro Mustikasiwi, one of Sanggar Greget’s students. She is around 9 years old and study as the 3^rd grade student at SD Jomblang. This amazing kid can dance some traditional dances, “nembang” (sing Javanesse Song that called Macapat without any instrument), and puppetry. In her very young age, she is already become a “dalang cilik” (narrator and puppeteer of traditional shadow plays). \(^.^)/

The show ran about 1 hour. The scene of the puppet show told us about Abimanyu and Punakawan. It used a simple conversation, of course in Javanesse. So, the most of the audience dominated children under 12 years old could understand the content. They were enjoying the show while they were eating “nasi kuning” together. They also were laughing when Woro said something funny and answered the question given.

In the middle of the puppet show, Woro also did “nembang”. She introduced her friend, Nugroho Pawestri, who beautifully sang some songs together with others “sinden” (a singer for puppet show) while the puppet show was going on. She is also 3^rd grade student. At that time, she sang Dhandhanggula Semarangan and Gambang Semarang.

The purpose of this show is to introduce the puppetry to Sanggar Greget’s students (beginner, teenager, and adult). In the middle of the show, Woro introduced some characters in puppet like Batara Guru, Togog, Sri Rama, and Puntadewa. Mas Yoyok, as the owner of Sanggar Greget, wants to all his students not only can dance, but also know the Javanesse culture like Macapat (Java verse form to sing), Gamelan (Java instrument), and Wayang (Puppet).

            As the one of the audience, I did not miss any detail of the show. Lucky I can see the mini puppet show from the very near distance because I sat near the Sinden. Finally, I knew that all “Dalang” use their all part of body, mouth, hands, and also legs. It was a great when I can participate to save Indonesia heritage, especially my motherland, Java. I love to be a Javanesse.

(pictures.nya nyusul ahhh... lemoot nuy.. ^^) hhaha