Javanese Dance Opera 'Matah Ati' To Be Staged In Malaysia In May

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- A spectacular Javanese Dance Opera, Matah Ati is set to meet the Malaysian audience from May 7 to 9 at Istana Budaya (Malaysia's national theatre). The 90-minute show organised by the Malaysian event company, Enfiniti Events will showcase the operatic Javanese song and music combined with a contemporary adaptation of Surakartan-Javanese classical dance style. In a press conference earlier, Matah Ati producer Bandoro Raden Ayu Atilah Soeryadjaya said Indonesia possessed many fascinating tales that were inspiring including the said dance opera. "Our biggest challenge is how to make a production that promotes cultural appreciation, carries meaning and yet still fascinating to watch. We are glad to share it with our Malaysian fans," she said. Also present were Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Herman Prayitno, Enfiniti Events president Tiara Jacquelina and Istana Budaya production director Ismail Yusof. Meanwhile, Herman said the opera was among the moves made by the Indonesian and Malaysian communities to further strengthen the relationships of both countries. "This is the best platform for the Malaysian society to get to know better the Javanese culture because we share a common root. "Similarly, the task of bridging the peoples of the two countries is not only in the hands of leaders but all sections of society should participate," he said. For Tiara, who staged 'Puteri Gunung Ledang, The Musical' before, Matah Ati would inspire and amaze the Malaysian art community at the uniqueness of Javanese tradition. "Matah Ati marks the beginning of many other international collaborations for Enfiniti, aside from producing our own shows every year and I am very sure audiences will be completely blown away," she said. Matah Ati is a love story set in the 18th century of Java about the struggles of a village girl named Rubiyah. The story which is loaded with the themes of compassion, courage, despair and joy also showed Rubiyah as a female war hero of the 40-woman army which fought during the time of the Dutch invasion and the reign of the Mangkunegara Kingdom in Indonesia. --BERNAMA