Savior Ketoprak

Ketoprak is marginalized. Invasion of modern culture and art successfully positioned the traditional art Ketoprak at the lowest culmination in the market appetite Indonesia's creative industries. Ketoprak can only survive in the periphery, both geographically, socially, and, economically.

As a result, Ketoprak accessible only in the periphery areas, such as rural communities north coast of Java (Pantura). Fans were segmented on the lower middle class, which Ketoprak seemed destined as the marginal performer.

The loyalty of the proletariat against Ketoprak also be the last defense for the existence of this traditional art. Substantiality of this relation can be maintained well, because they enter Ketoprak into the spiritualism realm. Ketoprak existence becomes part of the customary ritual blessing and protection petition to God.

Each region has different terms in the customary ritual called. Pantura society, especially in Rembang, called Sedekah Bumi (Earth Alms) and Sedekah Laut (Sea Alms). Celebrations Earth and Sea Alms is mandatory once a year.

The majority of the hundreds of hamlets (villages) in Rembang celebrate the Earth and Sea Alms by enacting Ketoprak . So naturally, when almost every week, even every day people can watch the Ketoprak artists showing action.

Ketoprak artist moving from hamlet (village) one to the other hamlet (village) to bring the beauty of Ketoprak values to the community. They always follow the movement of current staging demand.

There are many groups that frequently perform in Rembang. According to the writer's observation for several months, the group comes from Rembang and Pati, example Wahyu Manggolo, Songgo Budoyo, and Kridho Carito.

They started matinee at 12.30-16.30 WIB, and continued performing tonight at 20.30-03.00 WIB. But take your time using a high standard of judging their performance. Their performance art still have not been up like its heyday. Starting from the stage, lighting, gamelan, make up, until the story line was all simple.

Absence of Tobong or a representative venue to drawback maximizing their actions. Even Songgo Budoyo (ketoprak group) gig at the Jeruk village, would appear under the shade of large trees. Open to the sky, playing gamelan musicians hoping it did not rain. Luckily the rain drove the trainer overcast, so the Ketoprak artists can expression calm until the play ended.

However, any simple Ketoprak group's performance, it still captivate people. The proof, spectators crowded to appreciate Wahyu Manggolo performance in Pulo Village. The crowd had a chance to make bad arena across the street Ketoprak show it.

When observed, reality the relationships of indigenous rituals and Ketoprak that can be momentum for the Ketoprak revival. Means recognized or not, traditional rituals proved to play a major role in saving or at least give a fresh breath for Ketoprak order to live longer.

The fact must be understood by the Ketoprak artists, lovers community, and the Government. Ketoprak artists should seize opportunities that are siding with them. No matter how large, traditional ritual celebrations has been given the power or energy for survival. They should be able to maximize the energy to improve themselves in order to appear more creative and innovative, performance art and good business management.

Not to obscure the ideal values of the message, the Ketoprak artist must be able to synergize modern pop and traditional art to appearance up date. Many elements of modern pop art can be to beautify Ketoprak packaging.

Moreover, the accumulation Ketoprak from various branches of art, like dance, music, song, comedy, and theater. All of these alloys can be accepted by the public appetite is now so long as the image presented in a mixture of entertainment to fit the aesthetic.

Skill mix of art has always been a challenge for Ketoprak artists present and future. Who are responsive, they will succeed in penetrating back into the vortex of creative industries that is now being sounded.

Ketoprak rescue also requires community support. In this context, Rembang public attitudes deserves appreciation. They were on the right track, as the ritual celebration of Earth and Sea Alms choose Ketoprak performed compared to other entertainment performances.

Attitudes and actions of this Rembang community must be continued. If you need custom figures uniting the village's commitment to always display the Ketoprak as entertainment in every customary ritual Earth and Sea Alms. Such commitments would have to maintain the existence Ketoprak anytime.

It is not easy to realize that commitment. Surely many obstacles. In addition to the belief of reasons, accidents can come from things that are technical, especially those related to funding. Each country does have limited financial capabilities. Currently it takes about Rp10 million to stage Ketoprak.

That funding constraints can be overcome by mutual cooperation. Villagers can raise funds by way of contributions and seeking sponsors. Seeing the number of Ketoprak spectators, there must be companies that want to play Ketoprak. This solution is proven by the Pandean villagers when performing Kridho Carito Ketoprak recently.

Rembang District Government support is of course very needed. Governments must continue to provide guidance and empowerment of the Ketoprak artists. This guidance is important for the Ketoprak artists regeneration. In addition, governments need to increase the theater facilities, which could spur the development of traditional arts, Ketoprak especially.

The government also must make a breakthrough in the form of events that reverberate large. Celebration of traditional rituals, such as Syawalan or Lebaran Ketupat celebration may be event staging a variety of traditional arts, including Ketoprak.

Finally, exposure is only uncover a case about the role of traditional rituals that can maintain the existence of traditional arts Ketoprak. Customary ritual celebration in other areas would also be to save the other traditional arts, such as the Wayang Kulit and Ludruk. Provided, local communities committed to enter the traditional arts to be part of the customary ritual celebration area. Can? (Awi Wiyono, Citizen Journalist)