Ngesti Pandawa

Ngesti Pandawa is an Indonesian professional wayang wong, or wayang orang traditional theatre, performance troupe based in Semarang, Central Java. The troupe performs at the Ki Narto Sabdho Hall, located within the Raden Saleh Cultural Park (Taman Budaya Raden Saleh) on Jalan Sriwijaya 29. [citation needed]

Along with Wayang Orang Sriwedari in Taman Sriwedari, Surakarta, and Wayang Orang Bharata in Jakarta, Ngesti Pandawa is one of the three remaining traditional Wayang Orang troupes in Indonesia. [citation needed]

Wayang Orang Ngesti Pandawa

History

Ngesti Pandawa was founded in Madiun by Sastro Sabdo on July 2, 1937, with the aim of reviving the art of wayang orang panggung. This form of wayang play is performed by human actors on a proscenium stage. Wayang orang panggung blends court wayang orang (also called pendhapa wayang orang, as it was traditionally performed in the pendhapa—the spacious open hall of Javanese stately mansions—rather than on a stage) and Western theater.^a The first wayang orang panggung troupe was established in 1895 by Gan Kan, a Chinese entrepreneur from Surakarta (Solo). Ngesti Pandawa aimed to preserve the art of wayang orang and promote traditional arts, while also providing entertainment.^b Sastro Sabdo's mission was supported by Sastro Sudirdjo, Narto Sabdo, Darso Sabdo, and Kusni.

Since its founding, Wayang orang Ngesti Pandawa has performed for diverse audiences, including members of the Javanese, Dutch, and Chinese communities.

Ngesti Pandawa has relocated several times within Semarang. In 1954, it moved to a building in the Gedung Rakyat Indonesia Semarang (GRIS) complex at Jalan Pemuda 116, the site of Paragon City Mall Semarang.

From the 1960s to the 1970s, under the leadership of Sastro Sabdo and Narto Sabdo, Ngesti Pandawa was active in Semarang, performing drama and dance. Musical accompaniment and gending-gendingan were created by the Indonesian puppeteer Ki Nartosabdho [id].^[1] Elements such as its theatrical scenery, musical accompaniment, costumes, choreography, and stage effects have influenced other wayang orang groups.^c

The troupe has performed for President Sukarno. After the eruption of Mount Merapi in 1953, Ngesti Pandawa raised funds for the victims. President Sukarno invited Ngesti Pandawa to perform at the Istana Merdeka (Merdeka Palace) in Jakarta and the Istana Negara (State Palace) in Bogor. In 1962, Ngesti Pandawa received the Wijayakusuma Award from the President.^[2]

In 1994, the local government sold the GRIS complex. Ngesti Pandawa moved to the Taman Raden Saleh Cultural Complex for two years. In 1996 it moved to the Majapahit Amusement Park and formed the Wayang Orang Ngesti Pandawa Foundation. In 2001, the local government allowed Ngesti Pandawa to use a hall at the Taman Raden Saleh cultural complex, where it performs three days a week, with regular performances on Saturday evenings starting at 8 pm.^[3]

Current status

Wayang Orang Ngesti Pandawa continues to perform stories from its repertoire every Saturday evening. It uses social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, eAskme, and YouTube, as well as its website, to connect with the community and tourists.^[4][5]

In addition to its regular performances in Semarang, Ngesti Pandawa has also performed in cities such as Sukoharjo, Jepara, Solo, and Jakarta.^[6][7][8] The group also performs for students and institutions to introduce wayang orang to wider audiences.^[9]

Masdiana Safitri, head of Semarang City's Culture and Tourism Office, has pledged to renovate the Ngesti Pandawa venue to enhance its condition for visitors.^[3]