Marianto, Preserving Madiun’s ‘Dongkrek’ Art

Dongkrek art has existed in Madiun, since one and a half centuries ago. It experienced its ups and downs for quite a long time and began to thrive again in the 2000s. Among the people engaged in this art is Marianto.

KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO

MARIANTO

Marianto rose from his seat and headed for the sitting room. He left his woodcarving work of creating buto (giant) figures in the back room for a while, on Friday (25/11/2022).

Marianto’s sitting room is quite spacious. On one side there is a set of gamelan instruments. On the other side, a moderate-sized dadak merak (or gunungan, a tiger mask with peacock feathers) for the reog mask dance leans against the wall. A glass cabinet with a pile of traditional-art costumes stands in a corner.