Kolintang Concert and Batik Show Rock Sydney’s Opera House

“When words fail, music speaks” – Hans Christian Andersen

Batik and Kolintang are Indonesia’s most well known traditional cultural expression. Originated in Java, Indonesian Batik textile was acknowledged and listed by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Council (UNESCO) as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. Kolintang, which is a traditional music instrument crafted from bamboo and largely played in Northern Sulawesi region, is now being prepared to be listed as Indonesia’s next intangible cultural heritage in UNESCO.

According to Madam Lies Purnomo Yusgiantoro (Chair of PINKAN Indonesia/National Association of Kolintang in Indonesia), Kolintang musical instrument is synonymous to a singing tree. Mr Jaya Suprana, Indonesia’s multi talented artist/author/composer, amended her statement by referring to Kolintang as a heavenly singing tree that released the most harmonious tunes.

Initiated by PINKAN Indonesia and The Purnomo Yusgiantoro Foundation, Kolintang Goes to UNESCO concert was recently held in the iconic Sydney Opera House, Australia. The event, which was successfully attended by more than 300 guests, was conducted in collaboration with Jaya Suprana Performing Arts, Iwan Tirta Foundation as well as Indonesian Embassy in Canberra and Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney.

I concur with the view of H.E. Mr Nadjib Riphat Kesoema, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia and Vanuatu, who in his opening remarks underlined that such event stands as an example of Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy.

As a Minahasa (the name for Northern Sulawesi inhabitants) descendant, I felt truly honored to be able to witness Indonesia’s best music talents performed such a wonderful serenade with Kolintang music instruments. JS Bach famous “Love Never Fails”, Australian unofficial anthem “Waltzing Matilda”, “Sio Tantina”, “Si Patokaan”, “Jangkrik Genggong”, to name a few, are notable international song and folksongs which was performed tremendously well by the Kolintang group.

I felt even more privileged when the Kolintang concert was followed with an Indonesian Batik fashion show. The show did not only feature the outstanding creations of Mr Iwan Tirta, the late Batik maestro from Indonesia, but the attires were also presented by Indonesia’s prominent senior models, including Ms Enny Soekamto and Ms Chrisje Subono. What a lovely spectacle to Australians, particularly Sydneysiders!

In honor of this history-making performance, JET specially dressed up in a Batik shirt originating from Minahasa region. Designed by Veldy Umbas for Wale Batik Minahasa, Tarsier (Tarsius), which is the famous primate from North Sulawesi (Minahasa), is the pattern on my Batik shirt.

See more photos of JET and the prominent leaders behind this epic performance in Instagram (@JETANDJUNG) and Facebook Page (JET’s Fashion Diplomacy).

Catatan Kecil untuk Sahabats Fashionista dan Rekans Diplomat:

Pada saat menghadiri suatu konser atau perhelatan seni, alangkah baiknya jika kita mengenakan busana yang tidak hanya sesuai dengan dress code namun juga sejalan dengan tema acara. Jika sahabats berdomisili di luar negeri, penampilan yang mencerminkan asal budaya kita justru akan mengundang decak kagum dan mendapatkan apresiasi dari masyarakat setempat. Lihat cara JET mengenakan kemeja dari Batik Minahasa untuk hadir pada pagelaran Kolintang. Baik Kolintang maupun kemeja Batik Minahasa berasal dari Sulawesi Utara. Friends, it is never too late to learn and appreciate more about our own roots of culture as well as our traditional textile. If you are a Sumatran, treasure your Songket and Tapis and find new hand-stamped Batik from Medan and Palembang. If you are a Papuan, wear your Noken proudly while dressing up in Papuan Batik attire. If you are a Sulawesinese then put on your Karawang, Ikat and Sulawesi Batik. Whichever region you come from, I am certain that you have abundant choices in wearing traditional textiles. So never hesitate in fore-fronting Indonesian fashion, particularly when you attend a musical ensemble or arts performance in abroad. Stay confident and show the foreigners that Indonesians are also closely associated with beautiful fashion and traditional textiles, similar to the French, Italians, Indians, Thais and other great nations. Let them know that we, Indonesians, sure know how to dress impeccably well! ;)

JET with the elegant Madam Lies Purnomo Yusgiantoro (Chair of PINKAN Indonesia).

JET wears a Batik Minahasa shirt designed by Veldy Umbas (Facebook: Veldy Umbas) for Wale Batik Minahasa (Facebook Page: Wale Batik Minahasa, Instagram: @walebatikminahasa).

Notice the cutie pie tarsius pattern on my shirt? Well, in real life this teeny tiny primate is very cute indeed. In measurements female Tarsius weigh between 102 and 114 grams while males are 118 to 130 grams. It has a head-body length of 9.5 to 14 centimetres and its tail length ranges from 20 to 26 centimetres.

JET with these amazing Father & Daughter:

Mr Purnomo Yusgiantoro (Chair of The Purnomo Yusgiantoro Foundation, former Indonesian Minister on Defense) and Madam Filda Yusgiantoro (Chair of Kolintang Goes To UNESCO Concert).

JET with Mr Jaya Suprana, the largely influential yet deeply humble Indonesian pianist, composer, conductor, writer, cartoonist, and television presenter. In a nutshell, Mr Suprana is a multi-talented artist. Mr Suprana has a prominent background of music as he studied in Musikhochschule Münster and Folkwang-Hochschule Essen, West Germany. Mr Suprana has performed his piano recitals in notable music halls round the globe. He is the creative force behind the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI) and the Jaya Suprana School of Performing Arts.

With Mrs Enny Sukamto, Indonesia’s prominent senior model.

Say hello to the Minahasa-descendant fashion squad!

Ms Chrisje Subono, Ms Kiki Sumendap and Mr Hanky Tandayu. Mr Tandayu is a well-known coiffure master, a.k.a make up and hair guru, in Indonesia.

The Opening Ceremony began with Minahasa traditional dance which welcomed H.E. Mr Nadjib Riphat Kesoema (Indonesian Ambassador to Australia and Vanuatu) with Madam Nino Riphat as accompanied by Dr Purnomo Yusgiantoro and Madam Lies Purnomo Yusgiantoro.

“Si Patokaan”, this Minahasa folksong brings back lots of childhood memories to me.

“O Ina Ni Keke” a famous Minahasa anthem.

“Keroncong Kemayoran” a folksong from Jakarta (Betawi).

“Waltzing Matilda” the famous Australian un-official anthem.

The inescapably haunting “Love Never Fails” by JS Bach as introduced by Mr Jaya Suprana.

“Sio Tantina” folksong from Maluku (Moluccas) depicting stories of couples in love (lovebirds).

Mr Jaya Suprana introduced the players and Kolintang musical instruments composed of Karua, Loan, Karua Rua, Tatelu, Unang.

Mrs Enny Sukamto, one of the most prominent Indonesian senior model, presented Iwan Tirta Batik sarong and shawl.

Mrs Chrisje Subono, also a distinguished senior model from Indonesia, walked down the catwalk charmingly in Iwan Tirta’s Batik sarong.

Ms Melanie Subono splendidly strutted the catwalk in Iwan Tirta’s classy Batik attires.

Ms Julijana Nikolis, Australian top model, presenting Iwan Tirta’s Batik dress.

Mrs Aylawati Sarwono-Suprana displays the majestic Iwan Tirta’s dress with matching cape.

The final bow from the models.

 “Aduhai Indonesia”, written by Mr Jaya Suprana, closed the evening in a magical way.

Yours truly as he is trying to capture all the performances and delivered them to you, my dearest ones.

Batik Minahasa with the pattern of “Nyiur Melambai” (waving coconut tree). In North Sulawesi, coconut is not just a special commodity that drives the economy, it also represents the immense potential of North Sulawesi and its inhabitants. (Instagram: @veldyumbas).

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