The Story Of Si Kabayan Adapted Into A 21st Century Kabayan Web Series

Books about Kabayan (Photo: my knowledge13.net)

JAKARTA - The story of Si Kabayan has been brought up from short stories to the big screen. This fairy tale character from West Java already has many characters according to the story's creators.

Now, the story of the character from West Java, Si Kabayan will be made into a comedy sketch that will be broadcast on television and social media, namely a web series entitled "Kabayan Century 21" (Kabayan Millenial) which is produced by Yayat Hidayat, an academic from West Java who is also active in many fields. politics.

"I have a call to make the drama. The main thing is to change the image of Si Kabayan, who according to him has become an icon of West Java," said Yayat Hidayat on the sidelines of shooting the play, in Bandung, quoted from ANTARA, Tuesday, August 17.

Yayat said that so far the character of Si Kabayan is identical to a person who is not good, such as innocent, lazy, and uneducated even though he believes that character is not compatible with the people of West Java who actually have many positive sides.

"Through this sketch, we want to erase the view of the icon of West Java. We want to reconstruct Si Kabayan. That West Java is synonymous with intelligence," he said.

Yayat, who once served as Chairman of the General Election Commission (KPU) of West Java, ensures that Si Kabayan in this story is an educated figure and is able to adapt to current conditions.

Apart from studying at a university, according to him, the main play also has good digital skills without forgetting the local culture.

Furthermore, Yayat said, the Si Kabayan play he worked on was a form of actualization of his idealism, especially in defending West Javanese culture.

In addition, he believes that through this cinematography it will be easier to convey messages to the public.

"This film is the most communicative instrument compared to the others. Most liked by all generations. So to transfer information, knowledge, it is very appropriate if the medium is film," he said.

Besides wanting to reconstruct the character of Si Kabayan, through this play Yayat hopes that more people will want to preserve the environment and culture.

This is evidenced by the selection of shooting locations in an area that is thick with natural and cultural elements.

"We want to convey Sundanese culture throughout Indonesia and even the world. That's why we shoot it in ecotourism areas," he said.

He invited all people, especially the younger generation, to jointly maintain local culture. "If not us, especially the younger generation, who else would we like to be with," he said.

To note, this comedy sketch of Si Kabayan was played by a number of artists from West Java such as Ki Daus, Ceu Edoh, Nendy, and Reka Ayu Adella.