ITS Chancellor Prof Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng expressed his appreciation to all parties who contributed to the success of the ITS Professors Council Puppet Show

ITS Campus, ITS News – The series of events for the 61st Anniversary of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) was again enlivened by a wayang performance held in a hybrid manner Saturday (6/11) night. This time in the form of a puppet show combined with wayang kulit, played by professors who are members of the ITS Professorship Council by carrying the story of Harjuna Sasrabahu.

This is the first time that ITS has innovated combining wayang kulit performances with wayang orang, which was masterminded by the chairman of the ITS Professorship Council, Prof. Dr. Ir Imam Robandi MT. This virtual puppet show was also watched together in the courtyard of the ITS Rectorate Building and live streaming via the ITS TV YouTube channel, which was watched more than 5,300 times that night. Interestingly, the professors who play the wayang orang come from various regional ethnic groups in Indonesia. On average, this is the first time they have played in the wayang orang.

The Wayang Orang show played by the ITS Professor Council enlivened the 61st Anniversary of ITS was also broadcast live streaming on the ITS TV YouTube channel.

The professors who played puppets in this performance included ITS Chancellor Prof Dr Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng as Harjuna Sasrabahu, ITS Vice Chancellor I Prof Adi Soeprijanto as Sumantri, Prof Surya Rosa Putra as Patih Suroto, Prof Tri Yogi Yuwono as Prabu Citra Sudarma , Prof Muhammad Sigit Darmawan as Kumbakarna, Prof Ridho Bayuaji as Raden Citra Kesuma, Prof Hamzah Fansuri as Wibisono, Prof Agus Rubiyanto as Dosomuko, Prof Nadjadji Anwar as Semar, Prof Suasmoro as Bagong, Prof Budisantoso Wirjodirdjo as Petruk, and Prof Bangun Muljo Sukojo as Gareng.

In addition, there are also Prof. Irmina Kris Murwani as Putri Domas, Prof. Djatmiko Ichsani as Indrajid, Prof. Joni Hermana as Begawan Swandagni, Prof. Erma Suryani as Dewi Citrowati, Prof. Syafsir Akhlus as Prahastho, Prof. Aulia Siti Aisjah as Sarpokenoko, Prof. Mardlijah as Dewi Danuresmi, Prof I Ketut Aria Main Man as Ratu Prabu Sasra Hadimurti, Prof Prabowo as Ratu Prabu Pujaningrat, and Prof Agus Purwanto as Sukrosono.

Furthermore, the puppeteer Prof. Imam Robandi tells of Harjuna Sasrabahu, who wanted to propose to Dewi Citrowati. Still, Harjuna or Arjuna had to compete with Dosomuko, who offered the same woman. Arjuna makes a contest to kill Dosomuko by ordering Sumantri. Long story short, Sumantri is careless in carrying out her duties. The story ends with Sumantri being advised by Arjuna’s advice to remember the eight fundamental human characters.

Prof. Dr. Ir Imam Robandi MT as the mastermind at the ITS Professor Council’s Wayang Orang performance

Present at the watch together, ITS Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ir Mochamad Ashari MEng said ITS focuses on developing technology and combining technology with regional culture. Puppets are chosen to be a performance tradition for every ITS Anniversary because the culture of this area contains many philosophies of life. “Hopefully, through this shadow puppet show, we are committed to preserving regional culture,” concluded Ashari proudly.

The event to watch the puppet show also received great appreciation from Ki Sigit Ariyanto as the puppeteer at the opening of the 61st Anniversary of ITS. In his gratitude, Sigit said that this wayang show deserves an award. “I am very impressed because not every Dalang can create a puppet show like this,” added this young dalang from Jepara with enthusiasm. (ITS Public Relation/far)

Reporter: Regy Zaid Zakaria

Watch together with a virtual performance of Wayang Orang played by the ITS Professor Council in the courtyard of the ITS Rectorate Building.