JAKARTA I President Director of Perum Jamkrindo, Diding S. Anwar, performed as Tumenggung Wahyu Handoko alongside several banking professionals and senior media editors, supported by artists from the Adhi Budaya Wayang Orang and Ketoprak Artists Association, in the cultural performance of Ketoprak featuring the play Sumpah Gajah Mada at Taman Ismail Marzuki Theater, Jakarta, on Wednesday night (12/10/2016).
Unlike typical Ketoprak performances, most of the cast members were not professional artists but came from the Senior Editors community, the banking and financial sector, and economic observers, including PTPN 4 President Commissioner Pos M. Hutabarat, economic analyst Aviliani, MNC Bank President Commissioner Eko B. Supriyanto, General Chairman of the Association of Oil Country Tubular Goods (OCTG) & Accessories Producers Soelasno Lasmono, President Director of PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk Maryono, and others.
The performance opened with gamelan music and sinden singing, followed by a scene where the elderly Queen Dyah Gayatri (Bhiksuni Rajapadni) appointed her eldest daughter, Dyah Tribuana Tunggadewi, to rule the Majapahit Kingdom. The story depicted Gajah Mada being assigned by the Queen to suppress a rebellion in Sadeng, after which he was appointed Mahapatih for successfully uniting the Nusantara under Majapahit, famously known for his Sumpah Palapa.
Despite being performed by banking and finance professionals, the play did not feel dry or rigid. Witty jokes mixed with sharp critiques from the performers kept the audience entertained.
For instance, Mahapatih Ariya Tadah, played by Eko B. Supriyanto, humorously referenced the governance of Majapahit and the financial state of the kingdom, implying that economic difficulties could lead to regions wanting to break away.
This was followed by jesting remarks from local kings under Majapahit’s rule, declaring their loyalty as long as the General Allocation Fund (Dana Alokasi Umum or DAU) was not cut.
The joke was immediately countered by Aviliani, who played Queen Dyah Gayatri, the consort of King Jayanegara of Majapahit.
"Keep in mind, there is now a budget cut," she said, prompting laughter from the audience. The story of Gajah Mada serves as an inspiration for Indonesia in facing today’s challenges.
The two-hour comedic Ketoprak performance was further enlivened by appearances from comedians and Ketoprak actors such as Kadir, Tessy, Wawin Laura, and Polo. Their collaboration added more vibrancy to the stage with traditional Ketoprak humor. (Public Relations)