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GUMARANG SAKTI DANCE COMPANY
GUSMIATI SUID – a West Sumatran Lady Choreographer with International Fame
‘Fire in the Chaff’
A Daring Expression
Her newest dance theatre composition presented in two consecutive evening performances in Jakarta on September 19 & 20, 1998, has been appreciated spontaneously by the audience’s long standing ovation at the happy ending with full of hope.
Her successful choreography was executed by the perfect dynamic dance movements by her reliable top dancers such as : Yessy Aprianti, Ivone G.B., Rusminah, Ita Sumarni, Benny K, David D, Alvianto and Jeffy Usman.
Music and vocal accompaniment by Piter Slayan, J. Azwar, Misrah, Gusnidam and Syahrial. Her son who is also a choreographer Boy G. Sakti acted as scenographer, Benny K and Hartarti were assistants-choreographers and David Sulistiono as a stage set.
The team could intactly absorb her aspiration and translated it to a superb dance performance. Her root of dance composition is Bakaba, oral literature of her native land, Minangkabau ethnic of West Sumatra and Minangkabau Pencak-Silat – art of self –defense, combined with tranquility and deep symbolic meaning of Javanese art, a place where she inhibits.
In her dance, she was exposing explicitly the reformation process in the country. The dreadful May 98 riot, transfer of power, which was not able yet to solve the crisis, ended by a great hope of the best way-out. She expects a moral and cultural behavior improvement within this nation, which so far have been seriously eroded.
A Point of No Return
She was born in August16, 1944 Batu Sangkar, West Sumatra and has been raised in the traditional ‘Nagari’ village environment. Since her early childhood, the little girl Gusmiati was accustomed to her native tradition. As a girl, she had not met any obstacle to develop her wish, as long as it is not against ethic and religious norms.
The society allowed her also to learn ‘The Silat’ – art of self-defense and ‘Bakaba’ – story telling after the Isya evening pray. A solid mental foundation to form her future career in dancing. After graduating from ASKI – (Conservatory and Dance Academy in Padang Panjang, she became a lecturer) her first dance compositions among other are :
Rantak (1977) Alang Babega (1978) Pertemuan Dua Warna (1980) - Meeting of two colors Balega ( 1980) - Rotation Gandang (1981) - Drum Gerak Sapayung (1982) Minang Menghimbau (1983) - Minang Appeals
In 1984/85, she was working in IKJ- Jakarta Institute of Arts. The year 1984 was her firm decision to devote all her life as professional choreographer. It was a point of no return! . The Gumanang Sakti (White Horse) Dance Company, which has been established in March 1982, had to continue to exist. Her strongest motives are: strong will and hard work. Some of her friends add with her firm faithfulness to her own principles.
The tough lady, began with her out- bond performances only relying from financial help and contribution from some of her friends. Her dance troupe performed in India (1987), Hong Kong (1989), and France (1990). In 1991, Gumarang Sakti Dance Company went to USA to perform in Exhibition of Indonesia Culture (KIAS).
This performance brought a distintive reward, a proud one after a long tireless period of struggle. Gumarang Sakti was appointed as one of the best performers. In the same year, it received ‘Bessies Award’ from New York dances and performance.
The door to International performance was widely opened for Gumarang Sakti. It had been invited to many dance festivals. Some foreign noted choreographers came to Indonesia to learn at Gumarang Sakti. Mean while, dance creations continued with:
Bulan Maraok (1985) - The Descending Moon Limbago (1987) - Strategy Pinto jo Pintieh (1990) Kiat (1992) Seruan - Calls Kabar Burung - Rumors Api dalam sekam - Fire in the Chaff Boy G. Sakti - her first child and only son, who was also a Gumarang Sakti choreographer, has produced :
Sintak Minangkabau (1986) - The Rise of Minangkabau Pitaruah (1987) - Testament Kiblat (1987) - Direction Ibu Kondang ( 1988) - Mother Batagak (1989) - Traditional ceremony for the appointment of a religious or traditional leader. Baitulah (1990) - That it is Dongeng yang berlari (1991) - A running story Etc Her daughters, Suwitayanti and Yessy Aprianti are also following the talent of the family by becoming prominent dancers in the ensemble.
Performance in Germany
Gumarang Sakti dance company has performed twice in Germany. It had received a high appreciation from the local public, mainly due to its specific performance. I
- In 1994, at the 6 Internationals Tanzfestival NRW ; 27 Mai – 23 Juni 1994 on the occasion of : 100 Jahre Moderner Tanz.
- In 1996, Festival Traditioneller Musik 1996 Rituale
It was a traditional music festival but Gumarang Sakti was performing its usual dance.
International Dance Activities
Gumarang Sakti is now also preparing for dance activities in other countries, besides the joint-project with German’s Schlömer in mid of next year 1999.
Singapore:
In the second week of December 1998, Gusmiati Suid is participating in a dance workshop in Singapore for several days, bringing some of her dancers.
USA:
In mid of December 1998, together with the famous Poet, Gunawan Muhammad and noted young musician Tony Prabowo, she will be in Seattle, USA.
With the Seattle dance ensemble, they are preparing another dance performance.
Other performances abroad for the year 1999 are being selected professionally in her cozy Studio, in the middle of a quiet green natural environment of Depok Area, about 20 Km South of the busy Capital, Jakarta.
Suryo S. Negoro
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