Leading an Era to Dance

Melati Mewangi

· 6 minutes read

Dance, for Agus Gandamanah, is an expression of the heart through motions. Through his choreography, he conveys a million meanings and messages. The meanings and messages are expected to be beneficial for the enlightenment of human life.

The activities of Agus, 50, often called Mpap Gondo, in the world of choreography cannot be underestimated. He was a key figure in various dance shows on national television and colossal dance festivals in West Java. His ideas and creativity are always awaited by dancers.

His seriousness was seen when training dancers in Purwakarta, West Java, Friday (2/8/2019) evening. The choreography of Gondo\'s Menong dance was performed by around 15 young people who are members of several art studios in Purwakarta. Gondo\'s eyes were attentive to the dancers\' every move. Occasionally, he approached them to correct the movements that he felt were inappropriate.

"The movement is not quite rengkuh [bending]. Let\'s add energy. Try to improve the adeg-adegna [standby position]," he said.

For him, harmony between movement and music is very important. "Every movement made during the dance must be felt by the dancer. A small mistake will affect the next movement, the seriousness in practice determines how to perform," Gondo said.

Gondo started his journey in art from the second grade of elementary school. He often participated at events in his hometown by performing dances.

Thanks to the support from his uncle, he honed himself by joining the Gema Manunggal art studio in Bandung. Gondo’s dance potential was amazing. In fact, Asep Syafaat, his coach at the time, made Gondo his teaching assistant at the art studio.

One time he returned with a trophy to show his father. He wanted to show his seriousness in arts. However, his dream did not get the support of his father who worked as a shoe entrepreneur. Working in the art world was considered offering a bleak future.

The work indeed made my parents proud, but my heart felt differently. I choose to follow the conscience with all the consequences.

Gondo once had obeyed his father\'s request, he became an officer at a government office and at a private company. However, he did not like working just behind the desk. "The work indeed made my parents proud, but my heart felt differently. I choose to follow the conscience with all the consequences," said Gondo.

Gondo continued to improve himself. At that time, he did not have the money to take formal arts education. So, he worked this out by taking a lecture class at one of the art academies in Bandung secretly. For him, theory can be learned and obtained from anywhere.

In addition to theory, Gondo also learned from a number of seasoned dancers. He often watched the movements of legendary dancers from various regions to increase knowledge. Learning a variety of dances from across the Nusantara (archipelago) has increasingly enriched his ideas.

Inspiration

Gondo\'s work always has a characteristic. That characteristic is what distinguishes between his past and present works. The process of creativity develops with the changing times.

For the first time in 1986, he introduced a work called "BreakPong" (Breakdance Jaipong). At that time, breakdance from Western culture were loved by teenagers. Gondo combined breakdance with the local jaipong dance.

His first work received a positive response from the public, especially young people. He was more determined in creating other works. His contemporary works include "Jaipong Acapella" (jaipong dance without the accompaniment of drums and gamelan, but replaced by human voices), the "Komedi Topeng Rehe " dance, and "Komedi Niku" (Strong grannies).

For Gondo, inspiration for movements can be obtained from anywhere, for example from interactions with people he meets, issues that are trending and daydreaming alone. One choreography requires at least 1-3 months to complete.

Dance represents the expression of my soul and several art workers, until they grow old, will remain faithful in the art world.

Every movement that is created is not necessarily born for the sake of beauty. There is meaning, taste and intention that merge in it. For example, the dance "Komedi Niku" is a form of expression of his heart. This dance depicts an energetic grandmother that happily dances with her friends using a stick.

"Dance represents the expression of my soul and several art workers, until they grow old, will remain faithful in the art world," he said. Gondo has just been awarded the Best Dance Choreographer in the West Java 2019 Pasanggiri customary ceremony.

Gondo\'s journey of creativity was not always smooth. Many negative voices have cornered him because they are considered brave to violate traditional dance standards. But he didn\'t bother with that. According to him, his works still include the main elements of traditional art. The aim is to invite young people to love traditional art dance.

This has increasingly motivated Gondo to continue to be productive in producing works. Criticism in a work is common. Because, according to Gondo, it indicates that his work is taken into account.

In 2010, Gondo founded an art studio called the Klinik Tari Gondo Art Production. There are 50 dancers who graduated from the studio. Through this studio, Gondo wants to produce the next generation of Sundanese dancers.

Overseas

Gondo\'s work is also enjoyed by foreign people. He became a Jaipongan dance stylist at the Tong-tong Night Market in The Hague, the Netherlands (1996), the dance director of the Indonesian Art and Culture Scholarship of Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe with Saung Angklung Udjo (2002), the arranger of dance missions to Den Haag and Hungary together with the Culture and Tourism Office of West Java (2007).

All of his achievements did not make him forget the Motherland. Later, he was busy preparing for the 2019 Goyang Karawang Festival which will be held in September. The festival involved more than 10,000 dancers to break the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI).

When they can enjoy every move and are happy, I am happy because the hard work of all members has paid off.

For Gondo, there was happiness when the work was performed beautifully by the dancers. "When they can enjoy every move and are happy, I am happy because the hard work of all members has paid off," he said.

Gondo was never satisfied with one work, later he would still want to explore his ideas and creativity. Currently, he is also preparing a special work as a milestone of his work in the world of dance. This dance concept started in 2010 and, according to plan, it will be released in 2020.

Through dance, Gondo seems to want to invite people to love the culture more distinctive in their area. Gondo\'s diligence combines local and modern culture without a barrier showing the local culture is not to be abandoned, but preserved. He will continue to dance and continue to try out into the deepest niche of the world of tradition.

Agus Gandamanah

Born: Bandung, 14 July 1969

Education:

- SD Pamoyanan Bandung (Graduated in 1983)

- SMP Pasundan 1 Bandung (Graduated in 1986)

- SMA Karya Pembangunan Bandung (Graduated in 1989)

Editor:

kompascetak agus gandamanah