The Best of Stranger in Paradise Book Launch, Periplus Kemang, Jakarta, 22 January 2009

Bungklang Bungkling: CHILDREN

Taken from ‘Bungklang Bungkling’, ‘Butuh’, in Bali Post,
Sunday, 22nd February, 2009, a column by I Wayan Juniartha

Translated by Putu Semiada

Children

I Made Krosokan has not showed up for five days to the palm toddy stall. Therefore everybody is surprised having seen Made sitting there. He is holding and rubbing the palm toddy bottle, as if he did it for his wife. It seems Made is hunger for palm toddy.

“What were you dreaming last night, Made. You are here very early and already having a bottle of palm toddy. You’ve never liked this before” I Wayan Semara Dudu asks.

“Made might be a ‘caleg’ now that he has been afraid to go out. Because if he does, people will ask him for money in every crossroads, asks him to buy coupons, or ask for ‘sembako’” I Kadek Nyoblos Tuara Nyontreng says.


“But why are you bringing a sword? When you are in charge as ‘pecalang; you are not allowed to stop by at palm toddy stall,” I Ketut Bungut Sangut asks.

Everybody there is surprised having seen Made bringing a sword, a real and shiny one. It’s not even a pecalang’s sword.

I Made just smiles having seen all his friend are surprised. If you like drinking palm toddy, then you will be afraid of seeing any sword or knife. It’s a contrary thing. Because when you hold a sword while you get drunk, it would be dangerous. You might stub it to the people around you.

“You are all talking too much. Just sit down and I’ll treat you,” Made says.

As the one who want to treat is having a sword, everybody then takes a sit as close as to the palm toddy bottles.

Made then starts talking. He has not showed up for five days as he has been busy takes his children to school and pick them up as well. He even waits for his children at school and also takes them to extra schools.

“What a good father you are. But what do you have housemaid for. Usually she does the job. And what do we have teachers for if they don’t really take care our children at school?” I Ketut asks.

I Made shakes his head. He can not answer Ketut’s question as his mouth full of palm toddy.

“Nobody we can rely on at the moment. You know, we have housemaids kidnap their master’s children, teacher rapes their own students, some people take our children and ask them to do nasty things. So it’s difficult for us to be good parents nowadays,” Made says.

The only easy thing today is drinking palm toddy, it seems.

“I’ve been always worried recently. It’s not only having daughters is danger, but having sons, too. More and more paedophilias now in Bali, not only the westerners, but our people also do the same thing to our children.

Everybody is nodding as they agree to what Made say. It’s a big problem for them. Our children have been told to be friendly as our island is a tourist destination. The problem is that our children are easy to get flattered. When you give something nice, you can take them anywhere.

“By the way, why do you bring the sword everywhere you go? Are you going to kill the paedophilias?” the head of Banjar asks

Made shakes his head. I Made says frankly that he has no gut to kill people. He is afraid of karma.

“I have no gut to kill, but I dare to cut their dicks. If I see them, I’ll cut their dicks,” Made says.

“You know, when the police bust them after they rape children, they will be sent to jail. But they will be in jail only for a few months, after that they will do that again. So if I cut their dicks, they can’t do that thing again,” Made explains.

“But what would be the solution if you were that busted by the police?” Kadek asks.

“Well, it’s a piece of cake. I would admit to the police that I was drunk when I did that, so I will get less punishment. That why I need a notification letter from you the palm toddy drinkers that I am a dedicated member and most often get drunk,” Made says.

Well, they all know Made already get drunk. But all of them feel worried of their own children. Too many bad people in the world now.

Glossary:

• I Made Krosokan: a person who always in hurry
• I Wayan Semara Dudu: a romantic person
• Sembako: basic needs
• Caleg: a person who campaign for election to be member of House of representative
• I Kadek Nyoblos Tuara Nyontreng: a person who suffer an ‘election fever’
• Pecalang: vigilantes
• I Ketut Bungut Sangut: a person who talk politely only in front of you.

Love story at Jalan Kratonan 176, Solo

Saturday, 21 February 2009, Solo, Central Java:

A sublime Srimpi Gandakusuma 19th Century Javanese court dance, a touching ceremony and a classy garden party helped launch the book of Mas Go’s life and art: “Batik Indonesia and Sang Empu, Go Tik Swan Penembahan Hardjonagoro's”.

Mas Warno and wife, were in pink accented Hardjonagoro batiks and looked sensational.

“Only gagah males can wear pink,” commented Hudi Soeharnoko, “I would get carried away.....kemayu.”

Moving Moment
Ibu Supiyah, broke down when formally presenting the book to the author, Neneng Iskandar.

EXQUISITE DANCE PERFORMANCES:
In the elegant yellow pavilion, after the ceremonies, Prima ballerina assoluta Agustina channeled the Putri Champa, it seemed, in a sublime every eyelash-in-place performance of the Srimpi Gundakusuma. in front of a portrait of Sri Empu Harjonagoro, looking cross.

Waluyo S.Kar

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Srimpi Gandakusuma Dance

Srimpi Gandakusuma dance is a collective dance. Originally it came from kraton (palace) and created and developed during the era of Sri Susuhunan Pakubuwono VIII which is indicated in chronogram (sengkalan) Mijil Yuganiro Sapto Anunggil. This dance is accompanied by Mijil rhyme consisting of seven parts which describe about the character and personality of Raja Pakubuwana VIII.

Formerly it used to be performed in a rather long duration; however, in order to preserve and develop traditional dances, in 1972, A. Tasman squeeze the duration, from 45 to 17 minutes with a hope to preserve the dance and that the audience will not get bored of too long performance.

Dancer:

• Inda Vivana Putri, S.Sn
• Henik Ismiarni
• Wulandari S.Sn
• Agustina

Instructor:

• Dwi Rahmani S Kar, M. Sn

Agustina






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Adaninggar Kelaswara Dance

Adaninggar Kelaswara Dance belong to Wireng dance collection and taken from Menak Cina epic written by R. Ng. Yasadpura I. It tells about a princess-warrior from China. She is daughter of Sri Baginda Hong Tete. She fights against Kelaswara, another princess-warrior, from Kelan Kingdom. The reason of the fight is that Adaninggar loves Wong Agung Menak Jayangrana who is Kelaswara’s husband. Adaninggar tries everything she can to get Wong Agung Menak from Kelaswara. But Kelaswara never gives up and will never give her husband to Adaninggar. At the end, Kelaswara wins the fight by shooting at Adaninggar with bow and arrow. This dance was created by A. tasman in 1971.

Dancers:

• Adaninggar: Ika Wulandari
• Kelaswara: Sri Lestari S.Sn

Tutor:

• Nora Kustantina Dewi S. Kar M. Hum

Musicians:

• Suraji – Rebab
• Sukamso – Gender
• Hadi Budiono – Kendang (drummer)
• Supardi – Bonang Barong
• Singgih – Bonang Penerus
• Rusdiantoro – Slenthem
• Risnandar – Demung 1
• Joko Menggung – Demung 2
• I Ketut Saba – Saron Barong 1
• Sigit Hermano – Saron Barong 2
• Panggiyo – Saron Penerus
• Sigit Astono – Siter
• Sriharto – Kenong
• Sugino – Ketuk
• Sugimin – Gong
• Sarno – Gambang
• Sri Suparsih – Sinden 1
• Heny – Sinden 2
• Waluyo Sastro Sukarno – Gerong 1
• Darsono – Gerong 2
• Srijoko rahardjo – Gerong 3