The AIASA was honoured to be given the opportunity to organise a spectacular Wayang Kulit performance this year for the South Australian community. It was held on 21 July 2018 at Flinders University Bedford Park Campus as a community event.
The Wayang Kulit was performed by noted Indonesian Dhalang: Ki Joko Susilo. Joko is an eighth generation dhalang from Sragen, Central Java. He learnt from his father and gave his first all-night performance at the age of ten. He studied in Surakarta and later received his Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Otago, New Zealand, where he now teaches and performs.
The puppet show was orchestrated by Indonesian traditional music performed by Gamelan Sekar Laras, a community organisation based in Adelaide, South Australia since 1983. Pak Hadi Soegito from Central Java, Indonesia, who lives in NSW, Pak Sofari Hidayat, and Pak Gede also performed alongside Ki Joko and Gamelan Sekar Laras.
It was a successful night for the South Australian community to celebrate ancient Indonesian culture. It shows great respect for Indonesian culture and friendship between Indonesian and Australian people.
We would like to express our gratitude to KBRI Canberra, KJRI Perth and Sydney, Ki Joko Susilo, Pak Hadi Soegito, Pak Sofari Hidayat, Pak Gede, Bu Widya Sinedu (Social Consul of KJRI Perth), Gamelan Sekar Laras, all attendees, organisers and volunteers. We hope the night gave us a long-lasting love and appreciation of Indonesian Wayang Kulit and gamelan.