To celebrate its 75th Anniversary and 15th Lustrum, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) holds two major cultural events: the ketoprak performance Suminten Nagih Janji and the Melodi Bulaksumur concert.
Both performances will take place on Saturday evening (Nov. 30) at Joglo Gelanggang Innovation and Creativity (GIK) UGM. These artistic showcases result from a collaborative effort involving UGM students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
The Melodi Bulaksumur concert will serve as the opening act for the ketoprak performance.
Dr. Rustamadji, an organizing committee member, highlighted the spirit of togetherness fostered through these performances.
“This is a collaborative effort involving faculty, leadership, and the wider academic community,” he stated during an interview at UGM Public Relations on Friday (Nov. 29).
He noted that the simultaneous performances represent a breakthrough in creativity, blending thorough planning with collective innovation.
“Although not as professional as external productions, we aim to elevate these performances to a higher level,” he added.
Dr. Rustamadji emphasized that UGM’s 75th Anniversary and 15th Lustrum celebrations underscore a shared social responsibility, symbolizing gratitude through collective activities.
“We plan to express our gratitude through a mass dance performance during the Merti Kampus celebration on Dec. 9, 2024. In addition to activities on campus, we will join in a mass Gambyong dance together,” he explained.
The Merti Kampus event is expected to strengthen ties between the surrounding community and UGM’s academic society, paving the way for education, research, and community service improvements.
Kandiana Ari Masti, another committee member, described the Melodi Bulaksumur concert as a musical event featuring the Gamaband combo and GMCO, along with performances by the rector, vice-rector, faculty vocal groups, and students, all enhanced by the UGM Student Choir.
The concert narrates UGM’s historical journey through a dialogue between a grandfather, a retired UGM faculty member, and his grandchild, who learns about UGM’s values and milestones through stories accompanied by era-specific music.
Regarding Suminten Nagih Janji, Masti explained that the play is inspired by the traditional tale Suminten Edan, commonly performed in Central and East Java.
The story highlights Raden Mas Subrata’s betrayal of Suminten and themes of rulers’ oppression of commoners. It underscores the importance of women standing up to demand justice.
“This performance emphasizes that women must speak out against violence and play a significant role in building society and the nation,” she said.
Uniquely, tickets for the ketoprak performance can be obtained by exchanging recyclable waste, such as plastic bottles, paper, and cans. This initiative reflects a commitment to sustainable practices.
Wibisena Caesario from Lokalogi, the community managing ticket exchange, explained that Lokalogi was entrusted with ticketing for UGM’s anniversary events.
“We aim to target environmentally conscious individuals. Audience members must register via a system and exchange waste items, each assigned specific ticket points. For example, plastic bottles, paper, and cardboard all have value. Our goal is to educate people about the worth of waste,” he explained.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photographer: Firsto
Post-editor: Afif