Page 25 - JaKita 04rd Edition 2021
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ART & CULTURE 25
Betawi
It is unfortunate, since Betawi Karawitan is Karawitan
actually the most unique of other regions’
Karawitan music, like Sundanese or Javanese
Karawitan. “There is a touch of Chinese in our
Betawi Karawitan,” explained the man, who
is popularly known as Andi Mamit Padul. For
him, the most outstanding feature in Betawi Is considered identical with folk music
Karawitan music is the style in Gambang
Kromong or the liaw. The instruments mostly 70% influenced by Chinese culture
played in pentatonic tone: the gambang,
kromong, kong-a-hian, teh-hian, su-kong, The instrument set consists of gam-
bangsing or suling (flute), gong and kempul, bang, kromong, kong-a-hian, teh-
Gong Enam, kecrek or pan, ningnong or sio-lo, hian, sukong, gong, ningnong, kecrek,
and gendang. kempul
Musical skill being passed down from
He explained that cultural art of Betawi, generation to generation
including the Karawitan, is especially influenced
by the Chinese culture. For example, Gambang
Kromong has instruments that are red in color,
which represents prosperity. “The instruments
itself were named in Chinese, like Kong-a-hian, Infographic: Tommy K.R.
Teh-hian and Su-kong. You can’t rename them,”
said Andi in his thick Betawi dialect. Kromong art school.
It is unfortunate that people seems to It needs regeneration to preserve the culture,
underestimate Betawi Karawitan as traditional means the music needs to be introduced
music, despite being the cultural asset and to the next generations. “I have passed on
heritage of the nation. “It is upsetting to know my knowledge of this culture to the younger
our traditional music is being appreciated generations,” said Andi.
anywhere but in our own land,” he said.
He, who also serves as the head of expertise and
Driven by that concern, he founded Betawi competency at SMK 57 Ragunan, said that it is
cultural sanggar (studio). As a Betawinese time for Betawi Karawitan to expand, to be no
artist, Andi thinks he has the responsibility to longer valued as old and outdated. “It’s us who
protect the traditional music of Betawi. “If not us have to move forward to introduce and teach
as Betawinese, who else would let people know the millennials our Betawi Karawitan music,”
that we have a magnificent piece of art?” said stressed Andi.
the man who dream of establishing Gambang sya
4th EDITION 2021
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