The loyalty of a Maestro of The "Gandrung" Traditional Art
Age has not limited her love for culture and her profession, which has become her calling in life. Born and raised in Banyuwangi, East Java, Poniti, 71, continues to be infatuated with her craft despite having migrated to Kalimantan.
Poniti\'s hands were still nimbly brushing makeup on her face. She is also still skillful when she must wear the clothes of a crazy dancer. That afternoon, Saturday (8/6/2019), Poniti was about to perform
In the Tabuhan Soren performance in Singojuruh district, Banyuwangi. At her twilight age, the grandmother of three grandchildren was willing to collaborate with young artists.
That evening, she performed without need for a payment. For her it was not too important. The important thing was her good appearance. She sang a number of gandrung songs for 1.5 hours. Occasionally Poniti, who appeared in full costume, stood up from her chair and danced, swaying behind a panjak (musical instrument player).
She actually wanted to dance in front of visitors, but she felt her stamina was no longer there. She was asked to take a rest, but she still forced herself to perform. ”Isun rodo mumet. Tapi nek hing ng-gandrung, tambah mumet (I\'m a little dizzy, but if I don\'t execute the gandrung dance, it makes me dizzier)," said the woman, born on June 7, 1948.
Poniti has studied gandrung since 1963, when she was 15 years old. At that time, Poniti, who often played in paddy fields, liked to present the gandrung songs to others. Not infrequently, the paddy fields became a "stage" for little Poniti to sing and dance.
One day, there was an angler who considered that Poniti\'s voice was pleasant to hear. She was then told to sing one of the gandrung songs titled Sekar Jenang. Eventually the angler suggested that Poniti become a gandrung singer/performer.
That made Poniti more confident. For a long time she really admired the gandrung profession because she used to watch gandrung. Poniti still remembered the one that she often watched was Mariana’s gandrung performance. Finally, it was from Mariana that Poniti learned to sing or play gandrung.
She only needed two weeks to learn the art form. After that, she underwent a ritual of meras gandrung, a procession like a graduation for a gandrung singer/performer. The ritual was important because only gandrung artists who are qualified are eligible to partake in the celebration.
All night
Becoming an artist in the field does not only require skills to dance. Gandrung professionals like Poniti are also required to sing. Gandrung artists must also be able to perform all night, entertaining invited guests.
Mastering dancing is easy because there is already a pattern. In the past, vocal training practically got the main portion of training
"Mastering dancing is easy because there is already a pattern. In the past, vocal training practically got the main portion of training," said the woman, who is also a daily farm laborer.
Poniti said that in the past she was sometimes beaten using a violin bow if she mimicked a chant. At present, according to Poniti, the practice of singing gandrung should be easier because of the availability of technology in the form recording devices, VCDs and DVDs. New gandrung artists can only practice by listening and imitating gandrung chants.
Throughout Poniti\'s life, she admitted to having difficulty performing on two occasions. First was in 1965, the second year she became a gandrung artist. At that time, political conditions heated up and a number of art performances were banned. Second, when she migrated to Kalimantan for six years to live with her relatives, she did not feel at home living in Kalimantan because she could not appear like she normally did when she performed.
"Fortunately, the migrant community from Java still recognized me from my albums. Finally, there were several occasions when I was invited to appear as a gandrung singer-dancer," she said.
Primadonna
Gandrung seems to be ingrained in Poniti. In her first performances from 1964 until 1970, Poniti did not get paid most of the time. Even if paid, the money ran out as she had to pay salaries for a companion and makeup artist.
"In the past (1980s to 1990s) the overnight pay was only Rp 75,000. Costs had not been deducted for transportation and makeup. The panjak (musical instrument player) already got his own payment, but I also often gave him extra money. Sometimes I just pocketed up to Rp 40,000. It was good enough to buy 10 kilograms of rice, side dishes and soap," she said.
Today, appearing in celebrations in Jember regency, East Java, she can pocket up to Rp 300,000 in one night. However, the gandrung performances are not held as frequently as before. During the month of Zulhijah, Poniti has the chance to perform 10 times. However, in other months, she only performs three times per month.
At her twilight age, Poniti still wants to perform. Adlin Mustika, 23, one of the youths in Singojuruh district, the initiator of Tabuhan Soren, said that initially he and his colleagues did not include Poniti in the routine art event.
"Mak (Mrs.) Pon then protested and asked why she was not involved. We did not involve her because we felt we were unable to pay her. It turns out that Mak Pon is willing to perform and train together without getting paid," said Adlin.
Adlin felt that the spirit of the gandrung maestro was felt when she saw young people trying to preserve their traditional art. That\'s why Poniti voluntarily performed.
If they can only dance, what is the use?” she said. “Without the poetry chanting, gandrung is meaningless.
At her old age, Poniti is still a loyal gandrung singer-dancer. Outside the gandrung stage, she spends her days living alone in a small house measuring 3 by 5 meters. The walls of her house are still in the form of rough cement plaster without paint.
She now only hopes that gandrung can still be kept alive. She wants Banyuwangi teenagers not only to dance gandrung, but also to truly understand the art form with the singing aspects.
"If they can only dance, what is the use?” she said. “Without the poetry chanting, gandrung is meaningless.”
Poniti
Bron: Banyuwangi, June 7, 1948
Education: SD Negeri 2 Gendoh elementary school, Banyuwangi, East Java
Album: 9, including Rujak Jeruk, Onde-Onde, Nyulayani Janji, Jamuran, Emak Kuwalon, and Kepingen Nyanding
Children: 2
Grandchildren: 3
Award: Award from Banyuwangi regent for preserving Gandrung traditional art (2015