All night long, a wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performance entitled Kumbakarna Senopati, which was staged in the courtyard of UGM Hall, Wednesday (19/5) night, came off lively. The dynamic rhythm of the gamelan blending with the melodious voice of the sinden (singer) ward off sleepiness. The story presented by Dalang (puppeteer) Ki Seno Nugroho brought the audience to the story as if involved in the Battle of Alengka.
The audience, most of them came from various regions throughout the country, occupied the seats provided by the organizer. They were participants of the National Workshop of the National Awakening Day and Pancasila Anniversary. That night, they were also served with a variety of traditional foods in form of traditional snacks, such as sweet fried tofu and tempeh, boiled bananas, and boiled peanuts on the tray. Last of all, hot ginger drinks were served to wash them down and warm the body when it started to get cold late that night. Â
Chairman of the committee, Drs. Djoko Pitoyo, said at the opening of the gathering that the rudimentary menus were intentionally prepared by the committee to emphasize that UGM remains as people campus. According to Djoko, this shadow puppet performance was specifically presented to entertain the workshop’s participants who came from various regions. The performance art was also intentionally chosen to show that UGM is not only the center of science, but also the center of culture. "UGM is not only a center of science, but also a center of culture," he said.
Seen present in the occasion were the Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M. Eng., Ph.D., Head of Centre for Pancasila Studies, Drs. Sindung Tjahyadi, M. Hum., Head of the Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri Cultural Center, Prof. Dr. dr. Sutaryo, Sp.A (K), and UGM alumnus as well as observer of wayang, Drs. Sumargono.