‘Randai Kuantan’ No Longer Unconscious

In the 1980s, Fakhri formed the Semekot comedy group that was well known in the country. Semekot stands for “1 meter and dirty”, in reference of his physical appearance. It turned out later that the nickname became his trademark. He is better known as Fakhri Semekot.

KOMPAS/SYAHNAN RANGKUTI

Fakhri Semekot

Fakhri, 57, has created so many works. He has produced hundreds of works of art. His relentless effort has put color in the story of Riau’s culture from the past to now.

In the 1980s, Fakhri formed the Semekot comedy group that was well known in the country. Semekot stands for “1 meter and dirty”, in reference of his physical appearance. A nickname his friends gave to him for he was only 1 m tall and looked dirty. It turned out later that the nickname became his trademark. He is better known as Fakhri Semekot.

During a comedy competition in Jakarta in 1985, Semekot won first place in the group category, defeating the more established Bagito group. Fakhri became the first winner in the same individual category. His comic talent was honed thanks to the care of his sibling, comedian Yohazar, who is known as Otong Lennon.

However, the hard life in Jakarta was not homey for Fakhri. He chose to return to Riau. In Pekanbaru, he continued his studies at the School of Literature, Lancang Kuning University. While studying, he continued working in the entertainment world, especially on local television.

Once he handled five television programs at once. One well-known program was the comedy “Ongol-Ongol”. He became the director and main actor of the program, which resulted in more than 100 episodes.

Even though he was in the comedy industry, Fakhri had concerns about Randai Kuantan originating from his hometown, Kuantan. Since the mid-1970s, Randai Kuantan seems to have been in comatose.

Randai Kuantan is a traditional art of folk theater combined with elements of music, dance and singing. The art originally came from Randai, West Sumatra, but was modified according to local culture. The difference between Randai Kuantan and West Sumatra’s Randai is in the use of violin, drum and other instruments as well as singing and dancing.

Singing and dancing in Randai Kuantan is used as a pause between folk theater groups. During the break, all the spectators could attend the dance performance. In fact, in theater plays, the audience can interact, just like in Lenong Betawi. That is one of the features of Randai Kuantan.

Randai Kuantan had a gloomy future as a result of being unable to compete with the growing popularity of the single organ play. After all, many parents forbade their children from playing the Randai. The art was considered “low grade” because mostly low-class and uneducated people played it. The Randai shows are also time consuming, usually taking place from night to morning so that it is considered to be more harmful than beneficial.

Reviving the Randai Kuantan

In 1987, when he was a university student, Fakhri had the idea to revive Randai Kuantan. He went to the village to visit local artists. He heard complaints. It turned out that many artists did not have musical instruments, especially violins.

Upon his return to Pekanbaru, Fakhri went to Kuantan community leader Rusman Abrus and other figures to ask for help. Fakhri collected 22 violins, which he then handed over to the artists in the villages. Randai finally began to revive itself.

He did not stop there. Fakhri went to the regent of Indragiri Hulu (at that time Kuantan was still part of Indragiri Hulu regency) to request financial assistance to organize the Randai Festival in Taluk Kuantan. To save costs, he collaborated with the local Kuantan police station as part of the committee. The festival was held at the police station in Taluk Kuantan.

“At that time, only four groups had registered. However, one group retreated on the last day because the village was flooded. I picked them up using a truck so that four groups eventually performed at the festival,” Fakhri said in a conversation with Kompas on Monday (5/11/2018), in Pekanbaru.

A year later, Fakhri organized a festival at Taluk Kuantan. Fourteen groups took part. After two years, the 30 groups took part.

In Pekanbaru, Fakhri formed the Randai Kuantan group consisting of university students from Kuantan. On the anniversary of the Benai Family Association of Kuantan, Fakhri brought the team for its first performance. It turned out that his remarks were extraordinary.

From then on, Fakhri became more involved in Randai Kuantan. He brought a team from the villages to Padang Panjang, West Sumatra, in 1997. In 2006, he took his team to Taman Ismail Marzuki and in 2007 to the Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park (TMII), Jakarta and in 2010 to Bali and 2012 to Kuala Lumpur.

“Usually we are invited by the committee, but they do not provide accommodation, so I desperately seek funding. Fortunately, there were always figures or officials who give help,” said Fakhri, who was a civil servant at the Riau Culture Service.

Fakhri was attached to Randai Kuantan. His fans were numerous. Local artists often informed the villagers about Fakhri’s plan to perform in the village. Usually people will come from various corners just to watch the Randai Kuantan practice.

“When I arrive, usually there are crowds of traders selling things near the training site. Once, we organized an event on a 12 by 12 square meter stage and the audience had to pay for the entrance ticket. Apparently the show was very successful. Some people even watched the show for two consecutive days,” said Fakhri.

Fakhri still goes to his hometown to see or provide technical advice to artists in the area. He is considered a coach for Randai Kuantan. He always uses personal funds. Last week, he returned home to watch the Randai Kuantan program at a relative’s wedding.

At present Fakhri is beginning to take a step back because he is suffering from gout. His hearing has also declined making communication more difficult. However, Fakhri’s love for Randai Kuantan has never faded.

Fakhri still has one dream. “I have not had the opportunity to perform Randai Kuantan at an international folklore festival in Europe,” he said.

Without realizing it, his perseverance, tenacity and love for Randai Kuantan has made him a maestro of Riau’s culture. Thanks to Fakhri, Randai Kuantan blossomed again after experiencing a period of decline.

Fakhri Semekot

Born: Benai, Kuantan, March 29, 1961

Education: Elementary school SD Benai, graduated in 1972

;Junior high school SMP Benai, 1979

;Senior high school SMPP (Development Preparation High School) 49 Pekanbaru, 1982;School of Literature, Lancang Kuning University, 1988

Wife: Saripah

Children:

Tia Suci Permata Sari

,Rabiul Misqa Hagi

,Tigo Imnuari Rhamadan

Books:

Kayat Rantau Kuantan (Story of Rantau Kuantan)

;Syair Ikan Terubuk (Poems)

;Kerajaan Indragiri (Indragiri Kingdom)

;Permainan Rakyat Kuantan Singingi (Kuantan Singingi Folk Play);Penelitian Katalog Naskah Melayu (Catalogue of Malay Script);Cerita Rakyat Indragiri Hulu (Folklore of Indragiri Hulu)