INDONESIAN RANDAI THEATRE AT UHM: INSIGHTS INTO THE ADAPTATION AND REHEARSAL PROCESS

Professor Pauka and some of her collaborators will share insights into the rehearsal and production process of training and performing Randai theatre from West Sumatra. This is the third Randai production Pauka has directed in the Department of Theatre at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; UHM is the only place outside of Indonesia where audiences can see Randai theatre. 

This Spring, the UHM’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents the rare theatre form of Randai with its production of “The Genteel Sabai,” a folk dance-drama from the Minangkabau ethnic group in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Randai comes from the Minangkabau ethic group in Sumatra, and features beautiful traditional music and singing, martial arts, dance and acting; and its signature pants-slapping percussion!

Kirstin Pauka is a professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. She is uniquely suited to the career of director, performer, scholar and most especially teacher of Asian and cross-cultural theatre.

For more information on The Genteel Sabai, times, and performance dates, please follow this link.

Randai play “The Genteel Sabai” Comes to Kennedy Theatre with Pants-Slapping Action

The University of Hawai’i at Mānoa’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents the rare theatre form of randai with its production of “The Genteel Sabai,” a folk dance-drama from the Minangkabau ethnic group in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Synopsis: A daughter seeks revenge for the murder of her father in this exciting folk dance-drama. Randai comes from the Minangkabau ethic group in Sumatra, Indonesia, and features beautiful traditional music and singing, martial arts, dance and acting; and its signature pants-slapping percussion!

Dr. Kirstin Pauka, Director and Professor of Southeast Asian Theatre at UHM along with guest teachers from Indonesia, bring this exciting theatre form back to Kennedy Theatre’s main stage Feb. 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 at 8 p.m., and Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. Randai combines beautiful singing, talempong music, dancing, acting, and story-telling along with its signature pants-slapping percussion and the Indonesian martial arts form called silat. This is the third time Pauka has directed a randai play at UHM, the first in 2001 (“Umbuik Mudo and The Magic Flute”) and the second in 2005 (“Luck and Loss: Manandin’s Gamble”). Audiences will have an opportunity to attend two pre-show chats on Feb. 4 and 11 at 7 p.m.

“The Genteel Sabai”

UHM Department of Theatre and Dance

Feb. 3, 4*, 9, 10, 11* at 8 p.m
Feb. 12 at 2 p.m.
*Free Pre-show Chats: Feb. 4 and 11 at 7 p.m.

UHM’s Kennedy Theatre, Mainstage

$22 regular; $20 seniors, military, UH faculty/staff; $12 students; $5 UHM students with validated fall 2011 UHM photo ID.; all service charges included in ticket price.

Onstage seating will be available on a first-come first-serve basis at the performance to all ticket holders. Tickets are available online now at www.etickethawaii.com, at outlets, and by phone at 944-2697. Tickets available at Kennedy Theatre Box Office beginning Jan. 23. Call 956-7655 for more information or visit the Kennedy Theatre website.

UHM Student Buy-One-Get-One-Free Night: Thurs. Feb 9, tickets available beginning at 5 p.m.

Tales Of The Waria

“Some countries have what can be called ‘third sex’ or ‘third gender’ groupings. Leading examples are hijras, aravanis, zenanas and metis in South Asia. As well there are bakla in the Philippines, waria in Indonesia, mak nyahs in Malaysia and kathoey in Thailand. All these names refer to individuals who were born as males (or sometimes as intersexuals), and present themselves as female. Typically these groupings have faced various forms of discrimination and, at some times, in some countries, harassment and brutality by police and others. Positive responses to the situation of ‘third sex’ groupings involve (a) recognition of their female or “third sex” status, (b) access to medical treatment, and (c) economic and social training and assistance. [...]”

[...] When we refer to a ‘third sex,’ we need to be very careful. It is not a useful or accurate term in perhaps half of the world’s countries. There are no comparative studies of these groups – only a number of specific, often quite localized accounts. No one gives us a reliable list of the societies where the phrase is appropriate and where it is not. We must avoid simplistic assertions, such as statements suggesting that the ‘berdache’ role among certain North American Indian tribes is analogous to that of the hijra, or that we can speak of the xanith of Oman as a general national category, when our source of information only describes one city (and is an accidental addition to a study on the role of women).”

“[...] In Indonesia the Social Welfare department has identified waria as an economically marginalized group and established training programs. As in other examples noted above, waria may get training to work in beauty parlours. [...] There are waria organizations in Indonesia, one going back to the 1960s. There are waria groups within various political parties, including Golkar, the party established by former President Soeharto. They provide entertainment at political rallies. The Department of Social Welfare, as well as municipal governments and political parties, have been involved in organizing or supporting waria organizations.”

At the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, we are proud of the diversity in our community as well as supporting the marginal SE Asian voices that are, at times, hidden. As a group which is sometimes misunderstood and forgotten, it is our pleasure to present this stunning set of photography by Diego Verges on the waria community. Please, enjoy.

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Photography by Diego Verges Fotógrafo | Text & Research by Professor Douglas Sanders

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 @6:30pm
Indonesia, 2010 (97 mins)
Indonesian w/ English subtitles

Director: Ari Sihasale
Cast: Alexandra Gottardo, Asrul Dahlan, Griffit Patricia, Lukman Sardi,
Yahuda Rumbindi, Ari Sihasale, Robby Tumewu, Thessa Kaunang

Inspired by the true events following the referendum for independence in East Timor (Timor Leste) in 1999, Tanah Air Beta is about the struggle of displaced people in a time of conflict. Despite the reality of terrifying political conditions following the referendum, Director Ari Sihasale (Denias, Senandung di Atas Awan) chooses to focus this film on the importance of family and friendship in desperate times. The film centers around the struggle of Tatiana (played by Alexandra Gottardo) and her daughter Merry (Griffit Patricia) who try to survive in poverty and an uncertain political situation in a refugee camp in East Nusa Tenggara. The exodus split Tatiana’s family resulting in her having to leave her bitter son behind in East Timor. Merry takes it upon herself to heal family wounds by traveling to the border to meet her brother. With little idea of where or how far the border is, the journey becomes the focal point for this heartwarming story. The opening scene is one that you will not want to miss.

Trailer: Tanah Air Beta (Indonesia) Distributor: Alenia Pictures

Slank is an Indonesian rock band. It was founded in 1983 by some teenagers in a small street in Jakarta called Gang Potlot. They had played rock music everywhere until they got an opportunity to make an albumn. Bimbim created Cikini Stone Complex in early 1980s. This band only performed Rolling Stones song and not from another band. Then, they broke up late 1983 because of boredom.Accompanied by his colleague Denny and Erwan, Bimbim made Red Devil. For the guitarist Bimbim brought Bongky. In December 1983 they changed their band name became Slank because they are looked selengean.

Formed in Jakarta in 1983, Slank—the group’s initial lineup was Kaka (vocals), Pay (guitars), Bongky Marcel (bass), Indra Qadarish (keyboards), and Bimbim (drums) — would play their trade for a number of years before finally landing a deal and releasing their first album, Suit suit…hehehe, in 1990. From there, more albums, most of them commercially successful, followed, but Slank was plagued by a number of defections, some involving personal issues, others having to do with internal tensions based around creative decisions. The negativity was overcome, and over the next 20 years, Slank was able to increase their profile, touring the world and maintaining a high commercial value. In 2007, Slank released album number 20, Slow But Sure. Suit suit…hehehe (1991) was an enormous hit. Their subsequent success inspired the formation of other bands, such as Dewa. Their first three albums, awarded by BASF Indonesia as The Best Selling Albums on BASF tapes and the fourth album Generasi Biru went multi-platinum, with several songs making in into Indonesia’s top charts. Slank became the first MTV Indonesia icon in 2005.

Since its inception, Slank’s band members have changed frequently. Reasons have ranged from drugs uses, woman, money and differences in musical styles. The most popular line up of the band has been Kaka (vocals), Bimbim (Drum), Abdee (Guitars), Ivanka (Basses), Ridho (Guitars). In 2008 Slank has been touring the U.S. and Europe. They have also played in various Asian countries, such as Thailand, the Philippines, Japan and South Korea. Having more than fifteen albums sold and occasionally causing political controversy in Indonesia, Slank decided to travel to the USA to record their first English-speaking album, Anthem for the Broken-Hearted. Blues Saraceno is chosen to be their producer of this album. They record and mixed the album in only twenty-two days.
“If you want the world to see what you want to say, you better go to the highest mountain. And for music, the highest mountain now is in the U.S.A.”, says Abdee Negara

For more than two decades, Slank has managed a healthy attitude towards their music career, which in turn has helped them throughout the years. Slank has also gained somewhat of a cult status in Indonesia, Slank fans are known as ‘Slankers’, and they have a reputation for devotion. They waved their Slank flags, which consist of the word ‘Slank’ shaped into a graffiti-style butterfly. They sang along with several punk-rock songs and performed a stadium-worthy call-and-response routine. According to one of the guitarists Ridho, “Slankers” span all ages from children to adult. -Wikipedia

Official Profile (Bahasa) | Last.fm | MySpace | Youtube Chanel | Jakarta Post Article

DANGDUT is like the Country music of Indonesia, like Bhangra to Indians, like Tango to Argentinians. It is the music of the masses: the people of Indonesia. A lot of dancing and hip shaking are involved with the music. It is “feel good music,” and is all about having fun.

On Friday, November 4, the Indonesian Club at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa hosted their annual Dangdut Night! on campus. Filled with fun, food, dancing, and (old & new) friends, the night was a major hit! It was something to be remembered!

Wednesday, 26 October 2011 @6:30pm
Indonesia, 2010 (104 min)
Indonesian with English subtitles

Director: Lucky Kuswandi
Screenplay: Agasyah Karim, Khalid Kashogi, Kuswandi, based on a character created by Amink
Cast: Amink, Marcell Siahaan, Shanty, Titi DJ, Sarah Sechan, Vincent Rompies, Fitri Tropica, Joko Anwar, Ria Irawan, Robby Tumewu, Saira Zihan, Ikhsan Khimawan, Marcell

Fabulous is the only word to describe “Madame X,” a candy-colored, fast-paced tale of a pre-op transsexual superhero from Indonesia who fights intolerance. After a prologue and an animated title sequence clearly inspired by 007, the pic proper kicks off on the birthday of epicene hairdresser Adam (mono-monikered entertainer Amink), who’s best friends with his zaftig colleague, Aline (filmmaker Joko Anwar). Things go haywire when the gay disco where Adam and Aline are celebrating is raided by the black-clad members of Bogem, a league of moral order run by a man who looks suspiciously like the (fictitious) National Morality Front politician Mr. Storm (singer Marcell).

Though not directly credited for the screenplay, which was inspired by a character created by Amink and written by the helmer with Agasyah Karim and Khalid Kashogi, the fingerprints of producer and occasional helmer Nia Dinata (“A Courtesan,” “Love for Share”) are all over this production, from its appropriation of popular mainstream formats in service of a strong pro-minority, pro-LGBT message to its use of humor to tackle wider sociopolitical issues and its careful attention to local details, such as the slang used in the dialogue or the clever sendup of the dual lives of contempo Indonesian celebrities. Boyd van Hoeij – Variety

31st Hawaii International Film Festival
Various Venues across Honolulu, HI
13 – 23 October 2011

Established in 1981, Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is dedicated to the advancement of understanding and cultural exchange among the peoples of Asia, the Pacific and North America through the medium of film. The Center for Southeast Asian Studies is proud to sponsor the following films at the 31st HIFF:

THE GAME KISS
Part of SHORTS PROGRAM #2
Dir. Paul Agusta
Indonesia 2011
9:15 PM | Saturday, October 15 | Dole Cannery E

BUSONG
Dir. Auraeus Solito 2011
Philippines 2011
8:00 PM | Monday, October 17 | Dole Cannery F
1:00 PM | Tuesday, October 18 | Dole Cannery B

LIVING IN SEDUCED CIRCUMSTANCES
Dir. Ian Gamazon 2011
United States/Vietnam 2011
8:45 PM | Tuesday, October 18 | Dole Cannery C

THE DANCE OF TWO LEFT FEET (ANG SAYAW NG DALAWANG KALIWANG PAA)
Dir. Alvin Yapan
Philippines 2011
6:00 PM | Saturday, October 15 | Dole Cannery D
4:30 PM | Monday, October 17 | Dole Cannery E

RAKENROL
Dir. Quark Henares
Philippines 2011
6:15 PM | Saturday, October 15 | Dole Cannery E

STAR-CROSSED LOVE
Dir. Erick Salud
Philippines 2011
9:30 PM | Friday, October 21 | Dole Cannery E
8:15 PM | Sunday, October 23 | Dole Cannery E

THELMA
Dir. Paul Soriano
Philippines 2011
2:45 PM | Saturday, October 15 | Dole Cannery B

THE WOMAN IN THE SEPTIC TANK
(ANG BABAE SA SEPTIC TANK )
Dir. Marlon Rivera
Philippines 2011
5:00 PM | Thursday, October 20 | Dole Cannery E

BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER
Dir. Kaz Cai, Wang Jing, Anocha Suwichakornpong
Singapore 2011
3:30 PM | Wednesday, October 19 | Dole Cannery C
11:30 AM | Saturday, October 22 | Dole Cannery A

ETERNITY
Dir. Sivaroj Kongsakul
Thailand 2010
1:00 PM | Sunday, October 16 | Dole Cannery C
3:30 PM | Tuesday, October 18 | Dole Cannery F

SAIGON ELECTRIC
Dir. Stephane Gauger
United States, Viet Nam 2011
4:30 PM | Saturday, October 22 | Dole Cannery A