YOGYAKARTA – Who says UGM lecturers are only busy teaching or doing research? The fact is some of them still take the time to express their musical ability and sing. Starting from the mailing list discussion, they held a gathering after Ramadan in an event hosted together with the launching of Pandhemen Dansa dan Musik UGM group, abbreviated into Padamu UGM, (Dance and Music Fans) at Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri Cultural Center UGM, Friday night (16/9).
If on the mailing list they discuss various things from academic issues to national and international issues, in this event it is different. There was no serious discussion, but they entertained each other. For those who wanted to sing, there was the opportunity to let others know their beautiful voice, singing to the music played by a band with lecturers playing along with three professional players.
Although it was a relaxed atmosphere, some participants still seemed uncomfortable. Those who don’t really sing look uneasy because at any time they may be called by the host of the show, Heru Marwata, to perform on stage. While those who can sing would not waste the opportunity. On the stage, they sing two or three songs. Apart from singing, female lecturers performed a dance on stage led by Ken Suratiyah, lecturer of Faculty of Agriculture.
Tri Priyambodo, lecturer of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and event organizer, said this activity is to strengthen the relationship among UGM lecturers. "Hopefully, this becomes a loose community among lecturers. They can also express their artistic talents here, not only teaching and doing research, to make our life not stressfull," he said.
Tri added that this is the first event which simultaneously launched the dance and music community, Padamu UGM. In order to familiarize the lecturers at UGM, the concept of the show is made relaxed while they were enjoying treats, fried noodles, various fried meals, and ginger tea (wedang jahe).
Previously, the event began with prayers for the late Prof. Morisco. Some lecturers were asked to deliver testimony to the ‘Bamboo Professor ‘. One of the testimonials was from Dean of Faculty of Maths and Natural Sciences, Dr. Chairil Anwar. He said when Morisco became Dean of Faculty of Engineering of University of Mataram NTB in 1994, Chairil went to that campus to accompany some foreign guests. It was the time when the World Cup event was also held on another part of the world. Instead of watching the match on TV, Chairil was asked to have a leisure at Gili Trawangan notable for its natural beauty but whose community was still underdeveloped. "Despite his disposition which was serious, actually he liked things that were entertaining," he said.