The Growing Efforts to Preserve Malang’s Mask Dance Drama

Kompas/Defri Werdiono

Tri Handoyo, 39, (center, wearing shorts), the owner of the Sanggar Wayang Topeng Asmorobangun studio in the village of Karangpandan in Pakisaji district, Malang regency, East Java, instructs junior high school students in Malang on Friday (8/9) in the art of wayang topeng in a performance called teater panji. Handoyo himself has learned the art from the Malang wayang topeng maestro Mbah Karimun. Padepopan Asmorobangun is often visited by university students, regional administration representatives and even artists who want to know more about the traditional art.

Compared to five or 10 years ago, the younger generation in Malang today takes greater interest in learning about the traditional wayang topeng [mask dance drama]. Many youngsters, including college students, are seen visiting wayang topeng art centers in the region. Some only wish to take a closer look, while others want to study at the art studios.

A cool breeze was sweeping over the pavilion of the Asmoro Bangun wayang topeng studio in the village of Karangpandan in Pakisaji district, Malang regency, East Java, on Sunday (3/9/2017). That day, some 40 young people from Turkey, Thailand, Myanmar, China and Indonesia painted miniature masks the size of dog fruit (Archidendron pauciflorum) seeds.

At times, they asked the studio owner about the suitability of certain colors and about the meaning behind the detailed ornaments. After getting answers, they got back to their work.

The students were participants in the Design Thinking Camp program held in cooperation between the Malang Muhammadiyah University (UMM) and the Research, Technology and Higher Education Ministry.

“Last week, they were learning about design in class. Now is the time for them to get to know Malang culture, namely the mask dance. After this, they will eat rujak [mixed sliced fruit and vegetables served with spicy palm sugar],” said Nimas Ratnasari, 25, the event coordinator from UMM.

Aside from the foreign students, there were also dozens of children taking part in the mask dance training course at the studio. They kindergartners and elementary school students tried to perfect their moves. Some of them were confident enough to present in front of the guests.

Studio owner Tri Handoyo, 39, said only half of the studio’s 100 members were present, as many could not be at the studio that day as they were taking part in Independence Day celebrations.

The crowded studio that day reflected growing interest in traditional mask dance. According to Handoyo, children today are more interested in learning about the mask dance than in the past, with parents’ support contributing to their learning spirit. Handoyo expressed his optimism about a bright future for mask dance if the current trend continues.

Through generations

Handoyo has inherited his skills through generations from Mbah Serun, the founder of the wayang topeng group in Kedung Monggo. Mbah Serun’s grandson, Mbah Karimun, is a renowned wayang topeng maestro, skilled at dancing, playing traditional drums, serving as a wayang topeng storyteller and mask-maker. In the beginning, Mbah Karimun made the masks for personal use. However, many ended up ordering masks from him. The mask-making skill was then handed down to Handoyo.

Wayang topeng looks similar to wayang orang, a traditional Javanese dance drama. However, in wayang topeng, all the performers wear masks. The dances tell dramatic tales, mostly about Panji from the Jenggala Kingdom in Kediri.

There are 76 character masks at the Asmoro Bangun studio, 20 to 25 of which are most often used. The characters can be split into four categories, namely protagonists, antagonists, comic relief and animals.

“Wayang topeng is different from the mask dances of other regions, despite the stories circling around the same character named Panji. The differences are found in the movements. The movements of wayang topeng are more energetic and bold, with less of the jerking and stamping found in other mask dances. Wayang topeng looks more like a danced drama,” said Handoyo, who is the youngest of three siblings.

Handoyo’s optimism about the art form’s future is not without reason. Apart from the enthusiasm of visitors to his studio, schools in Malang are also requiring their students to take part in artistic activities. Students representing local schools in the flag-hoisting squad of the province’s national day celebration are even required to master the local art form.

Handoyo, the husband of Saini, 39, said that not all Malang people are familiar with the local art form. He said a celebrity from Jakarta once told him that he did not know about wayang topeng. The person had come to his studio to get to know wayang topeng better.

Mask orders

Apart from receiving performance requests, Handoyo said he often received mask orders from local administrations and universities. In mid-July, he received an order for 59 masks for learning purposes from a private university in Jakarta. In mid-June, he delivered 70 masks ordered by a state university in Semarang.

“Two months ago, we received orders from the Kediri and Blitar regency administrations. The provincial administrations also ordered 500 mask-shaped keychains,” Handoyo said.

Malang Culture and Tourism Agency head Made Arya Wedanthara said that the office would hold more shows involving mask dances this year. Lately, wayang topeng has been performed more often. “The hope is that we will have an event included at the Indonesian Museum of Records this year,” Made said.

Apart from holding more shows, he said the office would also redesign Kedungmonggo village as a Mask Village. This is because Kedungmonggo has the widest range of art activities, including mask-making and mask-dancing.

There were four mask dance centers In Malang regency, Made said, namely in Glagahdowo village, Tumpang district; Gubug Klalah village, Poncokusumo district; Jambuwer village, Kromengan district, and Wonosari village, Wonosari district. He noted greater interest in traditional mask dance today than five or 10 years ago.