Hundreds Of Traditional And Modern Dancers Show Various Coreographys At The Sabang Merauke Performance 'Pahlawan Nusantara'

Hundreds of dancers under the command of Sandhidea Cahyo Narpati as lead choreographers display various choreography/ Photo: IST

JAKARTA - The Sabang Merauke 'Pahlawan Nusantara' performance which will be held on August 19 and 20 at JIExpo Theater, North Jakarta is a stage for dancers to showcase their abilities. No less than 203 traditional and modern dancers appear on the same stage.

Hundreds of dancers under the command of Sandhidea Cahyo Narpati as lead choreographers display various choreography that reflect the diversity of ethnic heritage culture spread from Aceh to Papua.

Their performance was also supported by other choreographers, namely Dian Bokir, Puri Senja, Rizqy Dafin, Eka Lutfi, Safina Adriani, Pulung Jati, as well as regional dance artists, namely Mugiyono Kasido, Abib Igal, Gunk Mas, and Okvalika.

Sandhidea Cahyo Narpati said that the participation of 203 dancers this time was a significant addition from the previous year's performance. The addition of dancers is a challenge in itself to explore movements that match the theme of the hero of the archipelago.

"If I calculate, when the dancer is not double scene, it can be around 500 dancers. But because with 500 dancers it will be more complex, we have a strategy so that one dancer can display a maximum of 5 to 6 scenes. In my opinion, the challenge is how we assemble and sew all elements of the region into a complete presentation," said Sandhidea Cahyo Narpati in a written release received by VOI, Sunday, August 20.

Not only related to movement and choreography, but also packaged so that it is in line with the ideas to the substance that will be conveyed to the audience. So the hope is not only like variety shows, but the common thread about the hero of the archipelago can be connected beautifully, dynamically and harmoniously," he continued.

In the event, 31 choreography was displayed that interpreted 31 regional and national songs during the two-hour performance, starting from the song Kutidhieng from Aceh, Cik Cik Periuk from West Kalimantan, to E Mambo Simbo from Papua.

Meanwhile, a dancer from Bali, Gunk Mas, was again trusted to be involved in the Sabang Merauke 'Pahlawan Nusantara' performance. He was enthusiastic about playing his idol, Ida I Dewa Agung, Sunya's wife, a queen who led Bali from 1814 to 1850 and is known to be persistent and proficient in war tactics, for leading the Klungkung people's resistance when opposing the Dutch invasion in Kusamba Village.

"I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to be involved again at the Sabang Merauke Performance. With the new theme 'Pahlawan Nusantara' and a new role, I am very excited to be able to play a female hero that I admire," said Gunk Mas.

The veteran dancer Mugiyono Kasido also took part in this event. He appeared in three different scenes, one of which acted as a tribal leader from Maluku. The winner of the Mangkunegara IX Trophy as the best creative performer for his first work entitled Mati Suri (1992) appreciated the steps i was taken and BCA to introduce Indonesia's cultural wealth through complex and spectacular performances.

This performance is a picture of Indonesia's cultural wealth, even some artists say that the Sabang Merauke 'Pahlawan Nusantara' performance is a translation of Pancasila. I feel happy and proud to join this show, because it can be disseminated to the wider community about the diversity of the archipelago and invite them to love the country more, "said Mugiyono Kasido.

Apart from dancers, a number of singers are also challenged to present choreography, just like Mirabeth Sonia. The Indonesian Idol X finalist not only sang his melodious voice, but also required him to perform a silat martial arts coreo.

What is certain is that at the Sabang Merauke Performance from the start I learned a lot, which initially only sang, this year became deeper involved and there was a choreography, especially in the scene of me who was Siti Manggopoh (West Sumatra). In that scene I had to go to the silat coreo, so it was more challenging than the previous performance. The preparation for the silat scene was that I learned from the professional fighters who were with me in the scene. I also practiced horses to spicy thighs. I prepared so that the posture was correct and could support my chairman on stage, "said Mirabeth Sonia.

Apart from Mirabeth, the line of singers who enlivened the Sabang Merauke performance stage included Isyana Sarasvati, Cantika Abigail, Swain Mahisa, Alsant Nababan, Taufan Purbo, Christine Tambunan, Nino Prabowo, Yuyun Arfah, Gabriel Harvianto, also special performances fromventriloquist Kak Tony.

From a row of musicians, Dian HP, Avip Priatna, Dunung Basuki, Ammir Gita, and Meidy Ratnasari collaborated to create 31 regional and national song arrangements that were presented beautifully with orchestral harmony and choir from the Jakarta Concert Orchestra and Batavia Madrigal Singers. Dancers at the Sabang Merauke Performance Pahlawan Nusantara