Preserving Banyumas Art

Amid the changing times and influx of products of pop culture into villages, Saiman, 65 and Saidin, 52, are perseveringly asking young people to enjoy and perform this Javanese traditional art.

KOMPAS/WILIBRORDUS MEGANDIKA WICAKSONO

Saiman and Saidin in Karangrau Village, Banyumas, Central Java, Sunday (7/7/2020).

Brothers Saiman, 65 and Saidin, 52, have been loyally preserving Banyumas art since 1979. Amid the changing times and influx of products of pop culture into villages, they both are perseveringly asking young people to enjoy and perform this Javanese traditional art.

Saiman was adeptly playing saron, a Javanese traditional bamboo xylophone. Beside him was his younger brother, Saidin, who was energetically beating his drum. Tembang Ricik- ricik (poetic song of flowing water) was sung together, enlivening the morning in Grumbul Wrakas, Karangrau, Banyumas. Children as well as adults were gathering to take delight in the dynamic music, shaking their bodies and singing along.