The History Of Wayang Orang

The Javanese traditional show, wayang wong (wayang: shadow or puppet; wong: man) is one of the world’s greatest theatrical performance. It  was first created by Kanjeng Adipati Arya Mangkunegara I (1757-1795), and played by the royal palace servent and  only performed inside of the palace. Wayang Orang began to socialize at the periode of  Mangkunegara V, but it is still limited to relatives and employees at the Palace. Although it is still limited, there was an attempt of some royal servent to introduce this show to the public. As a media of interaction between  the palace and its people. When government era of Mangkunegara VII (1916-1944), finally this great theatrical performance showed out of the palace’s walls. The king built a cultural park in Sri Wedari as the preservation of Javanese culture. And now this park is popular place of tourism object in Central Java.

Sri Wedari Park, the historical place of Wayang Orang

Wayang Orang actually is a kind of wayang kulit (puppet of leather) performance where the puppets were replaced by human dancers. It  has been strongly influenced by India, and the actors were masked or not in accordance to the character portrayed. Like wayang kulit, wayang orang story is about Ramayana and Mahabharata, and it contains many aspects of Hindu culture and mythology.

Zapin International Dance Festival, The Shine and Etam Cultural Art Festival

Indonesia through East Kalimantan Province, ready to hold an International Festival Zapin arranged in Festival Kemilau dan Seni Budaya Etam (The Shine and Etam Cultural Art Festival). Zapin International Dance Festival will be followed by some neighbor countries such as Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia.

Actually  Jepen Dance is not as popular as Wayang Orang. Though this Malay traditional dance and coastal communities is quite energetic with a wave of the hand, the music and singing in the breath rhythm of Islam. As social dance, dance to music Jepen harp and sometimes interspersed unrequited rhyme. This dance is usually performed at weddings and circumcision ceremonies, as well as to welcome the guests of honor.
But in Brunei, this dance is popular dance.  As  a southeast Asian country located on Borneo between the states of Sabah and Sarawak which are part of Malaysia. Brunei shares some Cultural perspectives and links with the countries of South East Asia such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines. Although Brunei has similarities with others, there are significant differences in terms of culture and heritage including its folk music, folk dance, and folk stories. The strong Islamic influence means that dance performances and music are somewhat restricted.

The jury in the International Zapin held from 13 to 16 November in Sempaja Madya Stadium, Dublin, there are five people, three judges of the dance artists Zapin in East Kalimantan, and two judges from Jakarta.
All judges in the race are the judges qualified and familiar with the rules of dance Zapin. In addition they are also perpetrators of dance and very  familiar with the history of and Zapin Dance.
Besides Zapin Dance International, he continued, in a series of Sheen's Festival, East Kalimantan Cultural Park also held a number of dance and traditional arts area. The competition was followed by 14 counties and cities in East Kalimantan. Traditional art is a Rural Creative Dance (Dance Dayak), Regional Creative Music (Tingkilan), and Coastal Creative Dance (Jepen).

This Jepen Festival is expected to give the value of cultural pride for Kalimantan and also the means to conduct tourism promotion. It will attract more tourist to visit and stay in Kalimantan due to this event.
The festival is the fourth  festival,  previously held in 2009 and 2010 in Tarakan, and 2011 and then in Berau, East Kalimantan.

Hollywood actor, Richard Gere will Promote For Indonesia's Tourism

Famous Hollywood actor, Richard Gere, finally  become Indonesia's tourism ambassador. His reputation as  Hollywood actors would be very effective to help the promotion of tourism in Indonesia. As noted Indonesia's Tourism Minister, Richard Gere appointment comes after he expressed willingness.He  visit to Indonesia, Borobudur and Bali, several days before, the government of Indonesia has asked  the Golden Globe Award-winning actor about the government offer.  Richard Gere welcomes requests the Minister and even he was deeply admire the natural beauty of Indonesia as well as hospitality of its people.

Richard Gere is expected to promote tourism in Indonesia, informing the world that Indonesia is a beautiful and safe place to visit Gere appointment as tourism ambassador, because it is very potential star opposite Julia Roberts in the movie Pretty Woman is classified as a senior actor and who has influence in the Hollywood film industry.

The actor who starred in the movie Hachiko was considered biased managed a tourism ambassador to promote Indonesia. What about Indonesia presented Richard Gere impact would be immense .. Moreover, he also planned to make a film about Borobudur.
The minister added that in the future it will raise important world leaders in attendance to Indonesia as a tourism ambassador. This was done as a way to promote Indonesia to the world.

More About Wayang Orang

If we know wayang kulit (leather puppet) we will know that Wayang orang has many so many things in common with the wayang kulit. The story of both derived from the same book the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. And even the movements of wayang orang has so many similarity to wayang kulit. It because the actors imitate the leather puppets in costume and the movement. Wayang orang is also accompanied by gamelan orchestra.

At the first Wayang orang has been only shown to palace ceremonies. Large spectacles were staged, for example, in honour of the sultan’s coronation, or for weddings and birthdays. The performances had a deep symbolic meaning, and the hour of the spectacle and its plots were determined by the fact that the Sultan of Yogyakarta was identified with the Hindu god Vishnu.

Wayang orang in old time began early in the morning, when the sun, identified with Vishnu, appeared in the sky. The sultan sat on a holy throne, always facing east in the middle of the famous Golden Hall under the highest point of its pyramidical roof, symbolising the axis of the universe. The performance took place on a lower level in a smaller hall annexed to the magnificent Golden Hall. And due to the rule of Keraton, nobody was allowed to stand higher than the sultan. The Sultan or the King is the highest, and had absolute power.
The performances now days is very different. In past time, it could last several days, and the audience included not only members of the court but invited Dutch colonial representatives. Now, the duration of the performance could be very short 1 – 4 hours, depend on the needs and audiences.

Healthy Tourism For Healthier Life

At early morning my friend, a blogger, visited to my house. We had a little discussion while drinking coffee on the porch. He began to ask me, “What is healthy tourism? It is your blog isn’t it?”

Actually this question is really simple and easy to answer. But if we want to expand the study on healthy tourism, of course this question will turn out to be a difficult question and requires more extensive answer .

Borobudur Temple of Indonesia

“So what exactly is a healthy tourism”

“Is it healthy travel, we do recreation for health reasons, finding a good treatment in a better hospital?”

“Is it healthy travel, to go to a place where we can see the production herbs process?”

“Is it healthy travel, when we go travelling  and then back home in good health?”

Yeah ... you know the answer!  You are absolutely right, that’s what healthy tourism mean.  On the bottom line is we go travel ling and become  healthier  because of the  journey.

He asked me again,”But is it still healthy travel  category if we travel for entertainment?”

Why not?  Because healthy in this case not only the physical aspects.

Looking for entertainment is healthy  for our spiritual, but with one condition, the one we  look for is a good healthy entertainment.

“Gatotkaca Kembar” , The Double Personality in Indonesia Traditional Cinematic Drama

Gatotkaca The Son Of Pandawa

After success with "Jabang Tetuko" in 2011.  Mirwan Suwarso back to work on the cinema drama performances in in 2012. Two drama "Ghatotkaca  Become The King" and "Arjuna Wiwaha" has been successfully held. While all three performances in 2012, Mirwan Suwarso presents a drama  "Ghatotkaca Twins".  This story tells about  a son of the gods envy the Pandawa’s . Then it make Ghatotkaca, the son of Pandawa must fight an unexpected enemy. He musf fight his own bad side which was transformed into the figure of twins.

In this drama a few Indonesian artists will come into play.  They are Tora Sudiro as Ghatotkaca,  Aqi Alexa as twin Ghatotkacha, Titi DJ as Arimbi and Volland Humonggio as Arjuna.  The interesting part of Mirwan Suwarso’s drama is the presence of two Hollywood stars, Camille Guaty and Max Morgan. Although not play as the main character in the drama, but their popularity will give more value to the work of Mirwan’s  drama in the mean of Indonesia tourism.

Who are these American star? .. Camille Guaty was born in 1978 and spent her childhood  in California and New Jersey. She began her career as a head cheerleader in the Disney Channel's, "Gotta Kick It Up," and soon after also joined the cast of the WB's "Raising Dad". After being in Hollywood for three years Camille moved  London. She studied on art of drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. There she learned a lot of thing. She liked the works of William Sheakspeare.  Most recently seen in a staring role on "The Nine" for ABC. She has also established a recurring role on the FOX hit series "Prison Break", playing the love torn Maricruz. Camille also appeared on NBC's "Crossing Jordan"  in the recurring role of 'Detective Santana.'

According Renitasari, Program Director Bakti Culture - Djarum Foundation, the aim of this drama is appreciation of culture, so it will  encourage people to love the original culture of Indonesia. This show at least will be an introduction of Indonesia  minimal puppet characters as well as a very entertaining performance.

 "Ghatotkaca Twins" set forth a perspective of thinking that everyone has a bad side and it will not be eliminated, but we can try to control the bad side and sharpen the good side. What interesting story, it is about psychology,  a split of  personality.

"I am so happy that the three previous cinematic drama get a pretty good appreciation. This motivated me to bring Ghatotkaca Twins, "said Mirwan Suwarso.

Gatotkaca was a legendary puppet characters and exciting to be appointed in terms of both character and heroic profile. And of course the moral values of puppetry must be shown to the public for a comparison with the present conditions.

This performances that will be held at The Hall Senayan City, Jakarta, with a good music  entrusted to Aksan Sjuman. Symphonic metal musical arrangements and magnificent views to glue the feel and atmosphere that helps provide an understanding of the unity of the story to the audience