Ki Manteb Soedharsono
Ki Manteb Soedharsono was born in Sukoharjo on August 31, 1948. He is a famous dalang (shadow puppeteer) in Central Java.
Ki Manteb Soedarsono has been pursuing his profession since childhood and has learned a lot from senior puppeteers such as the legendary puppeteer Ki Narto Sabdo and Ki Sudarman Gondodarsono. However, he wanted to have a characteristic that the two teachers did not have. From there he began to perform powerful slashes (sabet) inspired by action films, earning him the nickname “Dalang Setan”. He also innovates in terms of musicality in wayang by adapting modern musical instruments in his performances.
As an elder and important figure in the preservation of Javanese culture, Ki Manteb Soedarsono was also invited as a guest at the World Javanese Diaspora meeting “Ngumpulke Balung Pisah” organized by PUI Javanologi UNS and Javanese Diaspora Network in 2019. During the event, he also shared his fond memories of performing in Suriname. He was warmly welcomed and saluted the Suriname people’s appreciation of Javanese culture.
At this event, Ki Manteb was also awarded the World Javanese Diaspora Elder award for his services in preserving Javanese culture, especially in the field of puppetry.
Source: Gatra.com
His popularity increased when he held the show ‘Banjaran Bima’ which was held once a month for a whole year in Jakarta in 1987.
This show was held for 12 episodes from the birth to the death of Bima, a Pandawa character. Since ‘Banjaran Bima’, Ki Manteb Soedharsono’s career has been on the rise.
In 2004, Ki Manteb achieved a record-breaking feat of doing a Wayang show for 24 hours 28 minutes without stopping. Then in 2010, he received the Nikkei Asia Prize Award 2010 for his contribution to the preservation and advancement of Indonesian culture, especially in the wayang kulit culture.
Ki Manteb Soedharsono passed away on July 2, 2021. Even though he has passed away, his work and services to Indonesian culture, especially Javanese culture will always be remembered.
Source: tagar.id, idsatunews.com
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