The UGM Faculty of Philosophy (Philosophy UGM), in collaboration with the Temanggung Regency’s Department of Culture and Tourism, organized the Temanggung Karawitan Festival on Friday (Jul. 26) at the Sasana Budaya Bumi Phala Maron Building in Temanggung.
The festival featured ten karawitan groups representing various societal layers, including school communities and the general public, encompassing young and old participants.
Some of the karawitan groups that performed included SMP Al Kautsar Karawitan Group, SMP N Temanggung Karawitan, Sanggar Bangun Budaya Badran, SMADA Laras Generation from SMA N 2 Temanggung, Sanggar Seni Siswa Langen Wiyata SLB Temanggung, and Karawitan Marsudi Irama Candiroto.
The Puspanjali group from the Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri Cultural Center (PKKH) at UGM, led by Dr. Sartini, also participated.
The Temanggung Karawitan Festival 2024 is part of the 2024 Community Service Program by Philosophy UGM, conducted in various regions across Indonesia. The Community Service Team in Temanggung consists of Dr. Sartini, Dr. Supartiningsih, Dr. Septiana Dwiputri Maharani, and Dr. Lailiy Muthmainnah.
According to Dr. Sartini, the Chairperson of the Community Service Team, this karawitan festival aims to preserve and promote karawitan art in Temanggung by collaborating with various parties, including the Indonesian Dalang Association (Pepadi) Temanggung, Temanggung TV, and the Temanggung Arts and Culture Council. This support highlights a shared commitment to maintaining this art form within the community.
“We initiated this program because gamelan instruments in the community are underutilized and often neglected in storage. Karawitan contains noble cultural values and plays a role in building individual character,” Dr. Sartini said.
Dr. Hendra Sumaryana, Head of the Temanggung Department of Culture, welcomed the karawitan festival, noting that it would become an annual event supporting the vision of the Temanggung Department of Culture and Tourism to make Temanggung a cultural city.
“Such activities not only enrich the local cultural heritage but also strengthen the commitment of all parties in preserving and promoting Javanese cultural heritage, particularly in Temanggung,” he stated.
Report by: Danu Ramadhani
Editor: Gusti Grehenson