Kayon Blumbangan

Watch this Sahita performing entitled 'Kayon Blumbangan':

Synopsis of Srimpi Srimpet

If most people hold the dancing belief,  a dancer must be beautiful, sexy, pretty, young, and attractive. So what is about those who are are not beautiful?

How is about the fate of former dancers who are no longer sexy, pretty, fat and old?

In truth, dance is an expression of the soul through the medium of movement. Physically, dance requires a flexible body and totality of movement which can be achieved by anyone from children to at the old-aged. For this reason, Srimpi Srimpet is performed by people who do nol fulfil the general criteria, and as such may violate the existing norms, but should be seen for what it is. Srimpi Srimpet was inspired by Serat Katatidha, a Javanese literary work by  Ronggawarsito.

Synopsis of Srimpi Ketawang Lima Ganep

five centuries
i have waited for five kings
to serve
but what I found was wrong
what I hoped for was gone
what I aimed for was wrong
what I found was damaged
destruction around

As he waited for, Ki Lurah Semar hoped that Ki Lurah Togog would soon return from overseas so that together they could take care of me knights in the Land of Java who were neglecting their responsibilities, carried away with  anger, and made them reunite and bring about harmony to the world.

But can the hopes of the oder villagers of Klampisireng be realized? Unfortunately, with Srimpi Ketawang Lima Ganep, it is an impossible. as the Ketawang is the most sacred Bedhaya dance frcm the Surakarta Palace, the number five (Lima) is an old number, and there has never been a black Klampis tree.

Short Bio of Sahita's Dancers & Works

Wahyu Widayati

She is commonly known as Inonk, works at Taman Budaya Surakarta and  the leader of Sahita Dance Theatre group. She has been active in the performing arts since joining Teater Gapit in Solo, and has also performed in works by Sardono W. Kusumo, Elly Luthan, Irawati K, Djarot Budi Dharsono. Mugiyono Kasido, Dedek Wahyudi, Laksmi Simanjutak, Supraplo Suryo Darmo, and Begawan Ciptoning.

Sri Setyoasih

She is a lecturer in Department of Dance at Indonesia Arts Institute, Surakarta (ISI Surakarta), former dancer of  Bedhaya Ketawang Karaton Surakarta.  She founded and lead a lesung group in her village of Bonoroto, Solo. Her choreography works are  Komposisi Topeng, Lalistavista, Loroblonyo, Bedhaya Arumnalu, Pasar Gedhe Kenyataan, and Kasunyataan Suharti. She is more commonly known as Hartuk. She is a student on the postgraduate program at ISI Surakarta as well, an active member of Studio Taksu and frequently performed in other choreographers' works such as Mugiyono Kasido, Saryuni, Eko Supendi, Ni Komang Yuti, Djarot 8. Dharsono, and Wen Hui. She regularly participates in various workshops and dance rehearsals.

Sri Lestari

She is better known in the performing arts community as Cempluk. She started her artistic career as a member of Teater Peron at Universitas Negeri Surakarta and Teater Gapit. She has performed in other choreographers’ works such as Sardono W. Kusumo, Elly Luthan. Deddy Luthan, and Sri Setyoasih.

Atik Kencono Sari

She began her career in performing arts as a vocalist specializing in keroncong music, a respected painter and to have performed in numerous theatre works with Teater Gidag Gidig. Teater Surakarta, Teater Gapit. Slamet Gundono. St. Wiyono, and Dedek Wahyudi. 

Dance Works:
Srimpi Srimpet, Srimpi Ketawang Lima Ganep, Iber-iber Tledek Barangan,  Pangkur Brujul,  Seba Sewaka, and Glathik Glindhing.

Characteristics

Characteristics of Sahita’s works are to deconstruct traditional Javanese dance and  at the same time transforming into familiarly and satirically  new form and to be parody filled with fresh humour. The simple things, every day issues, current phenomena are presented in a universal and actual  way. The group is active in assisting, supporting, and participating in various workshops, rehearsals, and performances with other artists and groups from Indonesia.