
*Wardah Mustika Rahayu
After I finished making love poems for Mas Nizam, I went to the special room father was cleaning the dust in his puppets. I was at the doorway, often watching my father treat the puppets like his own son. If the wadonnya child is only treated as a child, then the puppets are even more fortunate. Maybe you will be treated as long as you are alive. In fact, on the special day of the night of one sura, all puppets will be sanctified with prayers that are only understood by the father, in the ritual of jamasan (bathing heirlooms with water and flowers).
In addition to puppets, in this room there are sacred heirlooms such as keris. Not many. But, you are an admirer of such an heirloom. Little or much I understand what you like best. It is natural that the father always attach importance to culture and customs when carrying out his daily activities. Although the father sometimes looks insistent, for example just like when the rebuking with Mas Nizam last night, actually the typical father of people who really appreciate the tradition of heredity and firm stance.
Since I am the only wadon (female) child, then I should be able to inherit the ancestral culture by becoming a sinden and dancer early on. Said the father, suitable to guide my personality as a woman. Which basically all the properties of soft and gleaming valleys are in a typical Javanese woman. So, I had to train it with something that could be attached to my soul and characteristics.
If the father's son was a man, of course he would be the father's successor, become a famous mastermind. If necessary not only known by local people, but to foreign countries. Because, this Indonesian ancestral culture has also been read by the world community for a long time. Appreciated and interpreted. If outsiders appreciate it, why do their successors avoid it? That's a glimpse of your trust as far as I can understand.
“This cundrikmu. Take good care.” I gave that little kris to me.
I hold the cundrik.
“But, why isn't Mom you love?”
“Your young soul needs peeling (reminder).”
“Tika recollect what the words Mr.”
“Some one is coming soon. Prove that you still remember the advice of Mr.” You haven't looked at me. Still busy stroking his puppets.
“Who, Sir?”
Not long ago, I heard my mother saying hello to someone. Sounds like more than two people.
“Make a good drink, Nduk.”
I just guess, they're guests from far away. Not infrequently also the father was visited by artists or practitioners who came to the ceremony. There have also been mas-mas and mbak-mbak real work lectures that for forty-five days explore the culture of wayang and sinden art here.
Ten minutes I came with cantaloupe and cucumber ice syrup. A woman of her mother's age threw a friendly smile.
“They're a family of artists.” Father telling.
We shake.
“Thank you for the drink.”
“Inggeh, Sir.”
“We came all the way from Sleman to meet his daughter Ki Dalang Jatmiko. So, you're the one?”
I'm nodding it.
“He's my only son, Mas Darya. Sampeyan would have liked it. What is really?”
They're laughing.
“Why did you set me up with him?” Suddenly detached.
Mom looked at me with a forbidding look.
“Bapak does not match, but introduces. So to, Mr Ismawan?”
“True. This is not a matchmaking.”
I'm glaring. I can guess they must be up to something. I looked at my mother who was smiling. And, of course, my mom was involved too. I continue my question inwardly.
“We've heard a lot of your stories. You're a talented kid apparently. Besides being pretty, but you are also a well-mannered boy. More awesome than just hearing from your Father.” Mr. Ismawan.
“My name is Darya Setyo Aji Gumelar.”
“Leave three years ago,” added his mother.
“Means still older Mas Nizam, my inner” is waving.
“What my father said was so true. I am also very interested to explore art with you.”
I just smiled knot. Then I observed the change in expression on my mother's face. And, both are the same.
“We can live it with one vision and the same mission. How?”
“Why do they sound so rushed. What are they really looking for?” inner again.
“Father never taught you to be quiet in front of people who are asking questions. They are not advising, but waiting for an answer.” Father confirmed his sentence.
“Do you want to test me?” I'm ingrained.
“Answed, Mustika!” My mother also told.
“Tika confused, Mak.”
My answer was laughed at. The loudest laughter from his father's gaping mouth was quite wide.
“More delicious if Nak Mustika just sort what the Father said. Kan isres.”
I'm cornered. I rarely get my opinion out in front of people. This is my first time being asked by people and my father immediately looks like he is without any problems. Who are they really?
Conversation finished. An hour of sudden meeting tonight left a lot of questions in my heart. I was just listening. Smiling pretend that I don't think it's funny, but they're very happy to talk about it. But they really are intent. Come all the way from Sleman, until here only a one-hour break.
“They didn't stay at the hotel, sir?”
“Definitely stay, Mak.”
I shuffled into the room.
“Mustika?”
I turned around. Waving mosquito nets.
“Dalem, Mak.”
“They are great artists. Your Father's name will be lifted if you accept it. You fit. Artists will understand each other. One heart and purpose. Think of it!”
“Tika want to pray, then nari training, Mak.”
Two more days there's a response in the hamlet next door. Besides I have been known as the mainstay dancer of the village, if I am not able to perform perfectly, the name of the father will be questioned.
Music on the little tip I light up. Wanted to have a cell phone, but my father forbade me. In fact, there will be many advantages if I can have it, including if you want to save Mas Nizam number.
I stood in front of a large and long mirror in front of me. I wear a black scarf with a red tip on my shoulder. The music of the dance of the jaran dawuk jaran sounds has sounded a few seconds. I prepared with the movement of the ngiwir. Movement with the left leg position in front and the right foot in the back. Then, the movement of both hands wagging down to the top by stretching the hand over the border of the shoulder while holding the shawl. Finally, while shaking your head to the right left along with both hands flickering.
This music has energetic characteristics. Movement after movement should be done with agility and speed, but should not look stiff. Coordination of the movements created as much as possible should be seen to blend with the accompaniment of music. Thus, an aesthetic movement is created.
In the midst of the movement, I saw myself moving freely in front of the mirror. This is me who since childhood was taught how to take care of culture. My father is a village elder, if his daughter is less suitable to be a puppeteer, then she is more suitable to be a dancer. With this shrewdness of mine, many talented young men praised my talent. He said, this is amazing. Not infrequently they come to propose to me, but you have never accepted it. Just this evening, I asked what is Kang Darya special about?
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