Showing The Famous, The Performance Of The Gatotkaca Orang Ksatria Pringgodani Comes With A Touch Of Modern Creativity

The atmosphere of the media meeting ahead of the performance of the Gatotkaca Orang Ksatria Pringgodani which will be held at the Jakarta Arts Building, Pasar Baru on July 20, 2025. (Special)

JAKARTA - The Gending Enem Studio is again collaborating with Wayang Orang Bharata in the performance of Wayang Orang Gatotkaca, Ksatria from Pringgondani. The show, which is a form of respect for the heritage of Javanese art, is supported by a number of celebrities such as actresses Ira Wibowo and Maudy Koesnaedi, singer Dewi Gita, banker Alexandra Askandar, as well as senior journalists and cultural activists Ninok Leksono.

Wayang Orang Gatotkaca, A Knight from Pringgondani will be held at the Jakarta Arts Building, Central Jakarta, on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 15.00 p.m. local time. This performance tells the story of the heroic Gatotkaca, the magic knight of Pringgondani, which is a symbol of courage, strength, and service.

This demonstration is a concrete manifestation of our efforts to bring back the richness of Indonesian traditions in fresh and relevant packaging for today's generation. Wayang Orang's artistic power is combined with modern and choreography elements of theater and choreography technology. We want to create a new space where cultural traditions and arts can be celebrated and sustainable again," said Leo Widodo, chairman of the performance committee at a media gathering, Wednesday (9/7) at the Jakarta Art Building.

Raden Gatotkaca, who is known to have extraordinary strength and has the nickname "otots of iron bone wire" played by Yodya Prasetyanto, a professional dancer.

"Of course I have to train hard as the main role of Gatotkaca. The biggest challenge is how Gatotkaca's charisma can be issued. To bring Gatotkaca's turmoil with his calm, humble character, and heavy voice are challenges in itself," said Yodya.

As king in the Pringgondani Kingdom, Gatotkaca has the theme of Dewi Pergiwo, the daughter of Arjuna. Go on two played by Ira Wibowo.

It is a challenge in itself, playing a role as 'Gangwo', because not only acting and dancing, but the role of Gatotkaca's wife who is loyal and loves her husband very much, is also required to develop. I feel very happy to be able to again contribute to the preservation of Indonesian cultural arts, with friends from the Gending Enem Studio," said Ira, who is also known as the activist of the classical Javanese dance.

Maudy Koesnaedi plays Kunti. He came from Bali to join the training together.

I am happy to be able to participate in the preservation of traditional arts like this. Now I live in Bali so I practice myself. I was sent a video and voice note to explore roles. I have participated in the stage with Gending Enem since the first performance," said the former None Jakarte.

Bankir ayu and canthas, Alexandra Askandar are lined up as Dewi Supraba, an angel known for her extraordinary beauty and is considered the queen of other angels.

"My background is not a dancer, but I try to perform optimally, of course, I seriously practice dancing. I also read a lot of references about Dewi Supraba to explore roles. In the midst of busyness, I am very happy to be able to participate in the Puppet stage This person and contribute to preserving various Indonesian culture," said Xandra.

Senior journalist and cultural activist Ninok Leksono plays Semar, one of the friends.

"Talking about culture, at this time wayang kulit is recognized as an Unobtent Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2003. Indeed, Wayang Orang has not yet, but we must protect all traditional arts. We must consistently show efforts to preserve it, namely by creating cultural arts communities, organizing cultural arts activities such as this performance. And cultural Lestari, responsibility!" said this member of the Senawangi expert council (National Secretariat of Indonesian History).

Meanwhile, singer Dewi Gita appeared as a tweeter.

I am a Sundanese who want to know Javanese cultural traditions and want to learn all cultural arts in Indonesia. I feel honored to be invited by the Gending Enem community and entrusted as a narrator who delivers the contents of the story from beginning to end. Let's love and preserve culture. This performance will be very beautiful, from lighting and stage to visual arts, it's really cool," said the wife of musician Armand Maulana.

The director of this show, Moch Wahyudi or better known as Yudhi Bharata, has a qualified portfolio; starting from directing, becoming a choreographer, to becoming the main character of Gatotkaca in the cinema drama "Jabang Tetuko" (2010) which was staged at Senayan City Jakarta and became UNESCO's (2003) arts ambassador in France.

"Why take the Gatotkaca play? So that the current generation knows that before Superman and Iron Man had already had a superhero named Gatotkaca. So that young people can take lessons from the heroic nature, character and humility of the character Gatotkaca," said Yudhi.

Hopefully with the spirit of preserving culture, this show can be a space to revive ancestral heritage and bridge across generations. Young people now have to realize that culture is cool. Culture is cool! " concluded Leo Widodo, chairman of the committee who also plays Arjuna, closing a press conference.