53rd Production of Titimangsa 'STANDING AFTER THE WAVES', Monologue by Happy Salma in Musical Theater Inggit Garnasih

Kapanlagi.com - The Covid-19 pandemic that has hit Indonesia for the past 2 years has halted various activities such as art performances. However, now the government has started to loosen restrictions related to Covid-19 prevention as a first step in transitioning from a pandemic to an endemic. This is good news for artists who can return to creating on stage and be watched live by art enthusiasts in performance halls.

This also allows Titimangsa to once again showcase its 53rd production on stage after being postponed for 2 years. Happy Salma will once again portray the character of Inggit Garnasih in a monologue performance presented differently, in the form of a musical theater. The performance, inspired by the novel Kuantar Ke Gerbang by Ramadhan KH, will take place on Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. WIB at the Ciputra Artpreneur Theatre, Kuningan, Jakarta. This performance is presented by Titimangsa in collaboration with Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation and Sleepbuddy.

Happy Salma as the producer and performer of Inggit Garnasih revealed that Inggit is an important figure and witness to various events during the struggle of the nation's founding fathers.

"Inggit is a spirit of honesty and a reflection of a woman's deep feelings. This is a phase that has never been discussed in the grand narrative of history, a story that exists in the domestic realm of the nation's founders."

As a producer and actor, I need more concentration and stamina to play these two roles. Fortunately, the production process and dialogues with the entire team went very well. They are talented artists with a reputable reputation in their respective fields who devote their best energy to realizing this performance," said Happy Salma.

1. The Figure of Inggit Ganarsih

Credit: TITIMANGSA FOUNDATION

Inggit Garnasih is the second wife of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Soekarno. During their 20-year marriage, Inggit faithfully accompanied Soekarno from his school days at Technische Hoogeschool te Bandoeng (now ITB), supported the family's economy when Soekarno began his early organizational movement, supported Soekarno by selling herbal medicine, household and agricultural tools, cared for his spirit when Soekarno was detained in Sukamiskin prison, and accompanied him in his exile in Ende and Bengkulu.

When Bung Karno finally arrived at the gates of the Palace on the eve of the long-awaited independence of the nation, Inggit packed her belongings and memories in her old suitcase and returned to Bandung. Inggit chose to maintain her dignity as a woman and refused to be a second wife when Soekarno expressed his desire to remarry. Although Inggit was promised to be the main wife, she chose to say no to the father of the nation.

"The writing of the Inggit monologue script began in 2017, after discussing with Kang Wawan Sofwan and Happy Salma. Inspired by the novel Kuantar ke Gerbang by Ramadhan KH, I wanted to bring back the story of Inggit that is worth remembering and emulating. I tried to present snippets of events in Inggit's life while accompanying Soekarno, starting from a distance that brought them closer, and ending with a distance that separated them. However, Inggit remained standing after being hit by waves," said Ratna Ayu Budhiarti, the writer of the Inggit monologue script.

2. Monologue in Musical Form

Credit: TITIMANGSA FOUNDATION

The decision to bring back this performance in the form of a musical theater was an idea from Wawan Sofwan, the director of the show. "At first, when Happy Salma told me that she wanted to portray the character of Inggit Ganarsih again, I offered the idea of presenting this monologue in the form of a musical. Because musicals are also related to Sundanese traditions, where singing is a form of expression of emotions. I thought it would be more powerful if Inggit's expressions of anxiety were presented in the form of singing. Inggit's character appears as a woman who chooses to remember something good even though she is deeply saddened," he said.

Previously, Titimangsa had performed Monolog Inggit 13 times during the period of 2011-2014 in Jakarta and Bandung. In this performance, Titimangsa brings back 'Monolog Inggit' which is different from before, supported by competent and dedicated individuals in their fields, namely Happy Salma (Actor & Producer), Marsha Timothy (Co-Producer), Wawan Sofwan (Director), Ratna Ayu Budhiarti (Scriptwriter). This performance is even more colorful with musical direction from Dian HP (Composer), Avip Priatna (Conductor), accompanied by the Jakarta Concert Orchestra and the melodious voice of the Batavia Madrigal Singers.

"I consider the script of Monolog Inggit to be very personal, like the contents of a diary. So, my music composition also follows Inggit's personal expression and through the choir becomes a representation of Inggit's thoughts." I also tried to revive the 'feeling and vibration of Inggit' to complete the composition that had been delayed for two years due to the pandemic," said Dian HP, the composer for the musical theater performance of Inggit Garnasih.

"I welcomed it when Titimangsa first invited me to be involved in the process of developing this monologue. With the hope of providing more strength than the monologue itself, so that this monologue can be more 'alive'. In the process, I discussed with many parties, of course starting with joint exercises with the soloist, Happy Salma. Together, we tried to explore various possibilities so as not to just sing notes, but to explore other possibilities in expressing ourselves by imbuing the deeper meaning of words. The same goes for my process and dialogue with the choir. As a conductor, I try to convey the beauty of Dian HP's music in this performance. Beautiful music that is not just beautiful, but expressive and deep." This is what we want to offer to the audience," said Avip Priatna, conductor and leader of the Jakarta Concert Orchestra.

3. Great Collaboration

Credit: TITIMANGSA FOUNDATION

This performance is also equipped with the presence of Ati Sriati (Supporting Actor - Ibu Amsi), Jessica Januar (Supporting Actor - Ratna Djuami), Desak Putu Pandara Btari Patavika (Supporting Actor - Kartika). All the actors performed impressively on stage with direction from Iskandar Loedin (Artistic Director and Scenographer), and costumes from Biyan and Tenun Baron (Fashion), and support from Hagai Pakan (Costume Designer), Rudy Dodo (Interior Design Consultant), Bayu Wardhana (Painter), Agus Noor (Exhibition Curator).

Renitasari Adrian, Program Director of Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation, stated that the monologue performance by Happy Salma in the musical theater of Inggit Garnasih is presented to fulfill the longing of art enthusiasts who have been waiting to witness the performance live.

In addition, this performance also brings new energy and collaboration with orchestral music from the Jakarta Concert Orchestra as well as singers and choirs from the Batavia Madrigal Singers. This performance is the answer to the desire of artists who have long wanted to channel their ideas and expressions of love on stage that has been empty since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Indonesia.

4. Sold Out Tickets

Credit: TITIMANGSA FOUNDATION

For information, tickets for the two-day show have been sold out, although the audience quota is still 75% of the total capacity of the building. This has given enthusiasm to the theater which has been adapted into recording and free forms for the past two years. This performance is expected to contribute to the growth of a more advanced and sustainable theater ecosystem in Indonesia.

“Inggit Monologue presented by Titimangsa is a stage that must be witnessed by many people, not only because of the storyline, but also because this performance is presented in the form of a musical theater, especially since the script is written by a woman. This will be an interesting treat and how this stage finds its match to be present now is a process that I am very grateful for. I learned a lot from this whole process,” said Marsha Timothy as the co-producer of the show.

5. Supporting Media

Credit: TITIMANGSA FOUNDATION

This performance is also supported by BRI Private, Ciputra Artpreneur, Directorate of Film Music and Media Kemendikbud Ristek RI, Plataran Canggu Resort and Spa, Sariayu Martha Tilaar, Warisan Budaya Indonesia, The Resonanz, and KawanKawan Media. It is also supported by media partners Harper's Bazaar, Her World, Radio Brava, Detik.com, Tatler Indonesia, Liputan6.com, Kapanlagi.com, and Fimela.com

“This is a joyful thing for us to witness a monologue performance live by Happy Salma in a musical theater that tells the story of Inggit Garnasih. We highly appreciate the artists in Indonesia who have presented their best works. We hope that art performances like this can be done more often to satisfy the longing of some people who want to witness it directly,” said Indah Catur Agustin, founder of Sleepbuddy.

(kpl/ums)