[Unpad Media Channel] If anyone asks, which university consistently holds art performances? Universitas Padjadjaran is the answer. It is one of the few academic universities in Indonesia that consistently organizes art performances.
Through the show entitled “Rumawat Padjadjaran”, Unpad consistently performed various art and culture performances, both traditional and contemporary, for 15 years. At the end of 2023, Unpad holds the 100th Pidangan Rumawat. This means Unpad has already held 100 art performances in 15 years.
Prof. Ganjar Kurnia is the man behind the consistency of the Rumawat Padjadjaran celebration. In 2008, when he was the 10th Rector of Unpad, there was a longing within Prof. Ganjar to organize an art performance on the Unpad campus. This desire is not unreasonable, remembering that one of Unpad’s missions is to preserve and develop culture.
“In Unpad’s statute, one of them is we must ngamumulé (preserve) and develop Sundanese culture,” said Prof. Ganjar.
The mission is then implemented by utilizing several empty rooms at Iwa Koesoemasoemantri Campus to be developed into a small-scale performance venue named ‘Bale Rumawat.’ After being built, Bale Rumawat started the first performance (pidangan) with an end-of-year contemplative concert by the cultural figure Iwan Abdurahman in 2008.
Various Rumawat Padjadjaran art performances from this building were born and held every month. Not only at Bale Rumawat but the performances were also held in several other rooms on the Unpad campus, extending to various West Java regions.
The performances held are not always grand, often more simple. However, that is where the art lies. Wrapped in simplicity in a modest performance space with minimalistic settings, it creates an intimate show. There is no noticeable distance between the performers and the audience.
Prof Ganjar continued that the intimacy formed from Rumawat Padjadjaran’s performance would not be found in another place. In every performance, audiences are also served by Sundanese specialty culinary foods, such as bajigur, bandrek, and accompanying snacks that can be enjoyed for free.
There is no buffet table, only a bajigur cart, and its seller is ready to serve the audience’s requests.
“After Bale Rumawat ends, many audiences talk and engage in social interactions. This is not found in another place. In other places, the audiences are also dispersed after the performance ends,” he said.
No wonder, every Rumawat Padjadjran performance is always packed with audience. Furthermore, some artists and cultural figures, both from and outside Sunda, intentionally come to watch. The intense publication, which relies on cellular communication networks, encourages many audiences who are “addicted” to come back to watch another performance.
“Hopefully, with many visitors coming once, if we organize another performance, the show will be full again,” said the Head of the Center for Digitalization and Development of Sundanese Culture at Unpad.
Not Only Sundanese Culture
Even though we have a mission to preserve Sundanese culture, in reality, the performance of Rumawat Padjadjaran also presents modern/contemporary art. Besides Sundanese traditional arts (music, wayang (shadow puppetry), tembang (song), dance, and lakon (drama)), there are also theatre performances, monologue, and contemporary music concerts, including some eccentric ones, such as commemorating Youth Pledge Day with the underground community.
According to the professor of Sundanese Literature at Unpad’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Dr. Teddi Muhtadin, Unpad’s Bale Rumawat regards all arts as parallel. It means there is no boundary between traditional and modern art, no differentiation between artists from Unpad and outside, and overcoming the generation gap. “It is an amazing achievement,” he said.
Teddy also appreciates the consistency of Unpad’s Bale Rumawat, which succeeded in organizing 100 art performances. “Many organizations hold an event only once, twice, or three times and do not continue. And Unpad can reach 100 during 15 years,” he mentioned.
In the Celebration of 100th Pidangan Rumawat, which is held at Grha Sanusi Hardjadinata Unpad, Iwa Koesoemasoemantri Campus, Bandung, Thursday (28/12/2023), Unpad’s Bale Rumawat presents a flashback from the series of Rumawat Padjadjaran performances. Not only showcasing excerpts from the held performances, Unpad also pays tribute to the artists of Bale Rumawat who have passed away.
Public Appreciation: “Do Not Fade Away”
Several figures, academics, until students appreciate Unpad’s consistency in organizing Pidangan Rumawat Padjadjaran. One of the appreciation is from a cultural figure who is also a composer of Unpad Hymn, “Abah” Iwan Abdurahman.
“I am proud because Bale Rumawat is not only a bale (hall) but also has a spirit to revive Sundanese culture through the arts,” he said.
He also remembers clearly the festivity of the first concert he did as the opening of Pidangan Rumawat Padjadjaran. “Very full. Twenty years ago, it was played at Bale Rumawat. At that time, I dreamed that Unpad had a music performance room. Pak Ganjar did actualize that, and I was chosen to be the first performer,” he remembered.
A cultural figure, Acil ‘Bimbo’, also tips his hat to Unpad’s consistency. According to him, if other universities emulate this activity, he is optimistic that Sundanese culture will strengthen.
“The strength of Sundanese is not politics nor economy. Its strength is in culture and arts,” he said.
A literary figure, Aam Amilia, “a regular viewer” of Rumawat Padjadjaran performances, commented that the art shows organized by Bale Rumawat were always excellent and rich in messages.
“The things that are less noticed in Sundanese culture are shown to demonstrate that the richness of Sundanese culture exists at Bale Rumawat,” said Aam.
One of Unpad’s academics who is almost always present in Bale Rumawat’s performance is Dr. Aceng Abdullah, M.Si. The Faculty of Communication Science professor hoped that Bale Rumawat’s art performances would stay strong because there is still much artistic potential that can be showcased.
“There is a lot of potency from Sundanese people. In arts, for example, can be explored about dangdut music performances or even Sundanese films,” Aceng said.
A positive comment also come from Generation Z. Sri Hartini, an MA Plus Intan Al-Sali student, who admits that attending Bale Rumawat’s performance is her first time. Nevertheless, she is fascinated by the performances presented by the performers.
“Very impressive for me. It is my first time coming, and it turns out the event is great and fun, too,” she said.
A Sundanese Literature student at Unpad, Destiana Fadilah, also appreciates Unpad’s consistency in organizing Bale Rumawat performances. “The event is extraordinary, really cool. It shows that Sundanese culture at Unpad is truly present, not just a name,” she added.
Keep Continue
Seeing the positive enthusiasm and the unique experience not found in other art performances, Prof. Ganjar hopes that Rumawat Padjadjaran’s performance can continue.
“Hopefully, this will continue because it is one of Unpad’s missions in the statutes,” he said.
The Rector of Unpad, Prof. Rina Indiastuti, also values the activities of Bale Rumawat as an excellent effort to preserve Sundanese culture. This is especially beneficial for the younger generation. Through the artistic contributions of Bale Rumawat, the younger generation can internalize the values of Sundanese culture while coexisting with modernization.
“The audience and enthusiasts for the (100th Rumawat Padjadjaran) performance are numerous, indicating that people of various ages are still looking forward to the next performance. I agree that this should continue at Unpad,” she concluded. (arm/SA)*
