79 Days in Java

79 Days in Java

After I had graduated in my university by June 2016, I had no idea what thing that I had to do. A few days later I looked for a job, and most companies had a lot of requirements and one of them was that we must have good skill in English to be accepted in their company. So, I thought my English skill was not good yet.  So then I started looking for some information about a good place to learn English in Indonesia with low price but good quality. As a result, I found one small  city which had so many good places to learn English there. That city is Pare but it is usually called “Kampung Inggris” by people. By that, I directly made a plan to go to Java land particularly in Pare, Kediri to learn English language. I preferred to go to there and to gain any other new knowledge instead of just staying in my home without nothing to do. 

Several days later, I finally went to Pare on August 8^th 2016 with two friends called Alam and Ulfa, they are really good persons. I came to Pare with bad skill in English. But, I had spirit and two purposes to come there, firstly, I wanted to improve my all English skill such as grammar/structure, speaking, pronunciation and absolutely writing. And the second was I wanted to get 500 scores even more in TOEFL. And, I hope I can reach it.

In first month, I directly took three classes, the first was in Oxford International Language Academy. I took Basic and Intermediate one for TOEFL structure there. I met two good and smart tutors there, they were Miss Hesty and Miss Ifa, and of course I met many good friends there, several of them were Faqih, Alfian, Fahri, Akbar, Rizki, Samsu, Yuan, Irma, Firda and Hanna. Learning in Oxford really makes my knowledge in English better than before. Oxford had taught me so many good structure lessons from basic to advance, and those are really useful for my speaking and especially for my writing. I grateful for being there! 

This picture shows when I was in Basic TOEFL class in OXFORD with Miss Hesty as my tutor.

Here is when I was in Intermediate 1 TOEFL in OXFORD with Miss Ifa as my tutor.

Because I just took structure class in Oxford, so that I took reading class in another course, Global English. I took that class with my friend from Oxford, Alfian. In this class I did not have many memories, because I just studied here for ten meetings in two weeks. However, this class could make a little improvement in my reading skill. Thank you GE!

As my purposes came to Pare, I considerably spent my time there for studying as much and as good as I could. The society and the atmosphere were really fantastic to learn, moreover all students there made me to study hard. Beside of taking structure class, I also took speaking class in Daffodils for one month. I was taught by Miss Austin. She is good in speaking. Joining in speaking class in Daffodils, My friends and I always did public speaking in front of class one by one. I felt more confidence to speak with English language after joining in this class. Every day I always wait for this class, because this class was the most enjoyable than the others and this class was the last class in a day. I had many funny friends there who helped me to improve my speaking, they were Chandra, Vicky, Bang Teja, Rio, Jihad, Wahyu, Hadi, Latif, Galih, Sabiq, Fia, and Astrid. Nice to know you guys!

Here we are, members of SPEAKING STEP ONE CLASS in DAFFODILS

Even though my main purpose came to Java was to learn English, but I thought that I needed to have some holidays to refresh my brain while I studied. Because I knew that in month two I would get strict schedule, so that I spent all of my time for holiday in East Java in the first month and I decided to visit some good places before I entered my second month. 

The first destination was Mount Kelud, after that my friends and I directly went to Gumul – one of the icons of Kediri-. People say that we had yet to be in Kediri, did not we visit Gumul. So that was why, we made sure we had been there whatever the condition was.

This is when we were in Mount Kelud, Kediri, East Java

Just “being” happy in front of Gumul, Kediri, East Java

One week later, My friends and I with the different formation went to one of the best places in Indonesia, that was Mount Bromo. There are so many tourists from many countries coming here every year. This was my first time to be there. We were there by travel agent and we could visit three destinations such as Blok Savana, Pasir Berbisik, and absolutely Mount Bromo. I think this place is more astonishing than are two places before. You can see it on these photos below.

                                                                 

     When I was enjoying the view in Blok Savana

We can see many good views from top place here

This was such a beautiful Mount Bromo’s Sunrise

It took many times to get this picture in Pasir Berbisik :D

This picture was taken when we were hiking to the top of Mount Bromo

In my first month, one of the most important aspects was my boarding house, Oreon. I was really lucky for staying there. I met more than twenty new persons who had their own purposes to come to Pare. Most of them were from Sulawesi, particularly Palopo. Several of them were Ardy, Adit, Iqbal, Ray, Abrar, Rashya, Fabian, Habib, Richard, Arsel, Henrikh, Naftalis and Fahrir. We always help one another, sharing the knowledge one another, and laughing together. We were taught by Mr. Dedy and Mr. Rudy to improve our speaking skill every day, in the early morning and in the evening. They were really successful to help me to improve my speaking skill. Some other advantages that I got here were I was in the same room with Mr. Rudy, so I could ask him for everything that I wanted (about English exactly), and the free high speed connection of Wi-Fi really made me alive hahaha. If you come to Pare someday, you should stay in Oreon guys. Thanks OREON!

These persons who helped me to adapt quickly in Pare. Thank you dudes!

Month Two. Wohooo, finally I could pass my first month in Pare with many good memories and much knowledge. In that time, I confused to decide which course would I choose next, between Elfast and TEST English School. Both of them are good, especially for TOEFL CAMP. Each course has its own strength and that made me more difficult to decide it. However, After I got more information from my friends, then I decided to choose TEST English School as my next destination. But, we could not enter ESTABLISHED TOEFL CAMP in TEST as well as in another course. Because there were many student candidates who came from many cities and wanted to join in this program, so we must do Pre-Test before we were accepted as a student in TEST by official. 

How lucky I was. I could pass the Pre-Test, and it meant that I was a student of TEST officially after I finished the administration. Joining in Established TOEFL CAMP class in TEST was one of the happiness. I could meet a lot of smart, kind, good, ambitious and inspiring people. Most my friends there have many big dreams, those dream are get scholarship and go to study aboard, those are so prestigious and great dreams. I hope you guys can reach your dream. Aamiin!

The schedule of learning in TOEFL CAMP was so different from my schedule in first month. We got a strict schedule for one month. The class started at early morning, at 05.00 A.M o’clock exactly. So, This schedule forced me to wake up earlier, but it was so good to build my good habit. In first week, we had memorizing class, structure class, speaking and debate class, and writing class. Then, in second week until the last week we had six classes in a day, start from scoring class, structure and review structure class, listening class, reading class, and the last was study night. How strict and thick the schedule was, right?

Although the schedule was so strict and sometimes made us bored, but my friends never stopped studying and neither did i. Moreover, we had good and smart tutors here who taught us all about TOEFL especially for many tricks to answer TOEFL questions. They were Mizu Satria but people usually call him Jmbex as a Chief of TOEFL Department, Mizu Imam who had gotten Fullbright scholarship, you can imagine how smart he is, Mozel Shilvia –our writing tutor and the only beautiful tutor we had- was the person who just got her IELTS score more than 6.5, she is not only beautiful but also smart, so that was why there was one of my friends that interested in her hehehe, and the last was Mizu Didin. He just started doing his job as a Mizu for the first time in our class, He is a shy person but his knowledge about English is so good. I really thank for your knowledge that you gave to me Mizus and Mozel!

They were our mizu and mozel for one month.

From left side: Mizu Imam, Mozel Shilvia, unknown :D, Mizu Satria

 

In another side, we had some refreshing activities which made us happy such as Movie Class, Candle Light Night, TEST 5^th Anniversary, and Farewell Party. Learning in TEST will never be forgotten. I have new family here with many different and various characters and unforgettable memories with them . They were Senen, Ali (Arabian man who has dream to be a pilot, amiin bro), Sugeng, Rohman – my roommates who always support one another, wake me up in the early morning, and good partners for speaking­­­­­­­-. I also have some friends from the same land, Sulawesi (as you know, There are so many Sulawesi especially Makassar people in Pare and I think they are number two after the native people.) They were Miko, Tommy (our King of Listening), Radiah, Angelina, Jannah, Syukur, Arland and our chief Taslim . And absolutely, I have still many kind friends from other cities, From Sumatera, Kalimantan, and Java. They were Satria, Fauzi, Edwin, Aryo, Halim, Rofiq, Bang Bandrun, Bang Aulia, Tanjung, Didin (our Buncis), and Faidzin (our professor), Shyta, Gevia, Meitry (our Queen of Structure) Ardika (our Queen of Reading), Cherly (The Barbie), Rizda, Mbak Karin, Nanda, Enda (The funniest girl), Berliana (our Diamond), Mbak Shelvy, Thanty, Oky, and Dewi Nice to meet you Guys and I hope we can meet in another time soon!

This pict was taken in our last day before we were separated in front of our room with Senen, Sugeng, and Rohman

 Me with Ali and Syukur when we were looking for something to eat.

These Pictures were taken when we attended TEST 5^th ANNIVERSARY

And then, we got The Second Winner by our Flash Mob Performance. This was our class by the way :D

This time was when we celebrated our last day together with our Mizus and Mozel exactly – Farewell Party-

The day after farewell party I directly went to Yogjakarta with Shyta by train, we did not join in study group because I preferred to study by myself instead of joining in that class to prepare Real Test. In Yogjakarta I stayed in my cousin’s boarding house. I felt so comfortable there. I went to Yogjakarta to do Real Test with my friends from TEST in Gadjah Mada University and did some great holidays there because as we knew Yogjakarta has so many beautiful places to visit, has not it?

The first place that I visited was Prambanan Temple with my cousin, Rama. I entered that place without paid because Rama had a project there, so we were free to enter. Before I went to this place I had a plan to have some conversation with foreign people to implement my speaking. Then, I met one young lady from England there and accidently she is a Manchester United’s fans same with me. Prambanan Temple is such a beautiful place, every tourist must be visit this place before leave Yogjakarta. Have you been there guys?

 

Rama and I when we were taking a photo in front of Prambanan Temple

The second destination was Kebun Buah Mangunan, Bantul. This time I was accompanied by Rama and Hanan -my another cousin from my father family- and Shilvy –Hanan’s girlfriend-. This upland provides many good views with many angles. It will be a romantic moment if you guys come here with your couple.

 

Taking a photo here was so great!

Before we were in Kebun Buah, we also visited Hutan Pinus, that is such a good place too as well as Kebun Buah. The weather was so mild there and the atmosphere was so quiet. You should be there!

These are beautiful places, right?

Finally, the moment of truth was coming, the day which had been waited by us for two last months especially for me had come. Yup, on Wednesday, October 19^th 2016 we did Real Test. This was my first time to do Real Test of TOEFL. I felt confidence enough about my answers on Listening and Structure sessions but not on Reading session. Now, all results are depending on GOD (Now, till this article has been posted, our Real Test result has yet to be released). We had learned, tried our best, and prayed. Whatever the result will be, at least I have gotten so many knowledge about English and I will keep learning English.

These photos were taken after we did Real Test of TOEFL in UGM.

After the darkness ends the brightness appears, after having the hard situation which forced me to study hard, consequently the day after Real test I felt so free while felt worried about my TOEFL score hehehe. So much so that, I spent my last time in Java particularly in Yogjakarta by doing some holidays with Rama and several friends who still stayed in Yogjakarta for a few days, they were Miko, Cherly, Jannah, Gevia and Aryo.

Our first destination was Ratu Boko Temple. The views were so amazing. We could see Bantul City from upside.  This temple was also one of the places which was involved in “Ada Apa Dengan Cinta 2 Movie” Do you remember this place?

If you guys come to Jogja you should enjoy this Temple!

And then, my days in Java was almost over. But, before I went to my home we had still one day to do holiday. Along I was in Java I never visited the beach, so that, my friends and I made a plan to go to beach. The chosen beach was Wedi Ombo Beach. In this beach, We could not swim too far, because the wave of beach was so dangerous but we could still enjoy the beach from the coastal areas.

When we were in one of the world heavens

Our next destination in that day was Fort Vredeburg. This place will provide you a lot of information about the spirit of Yogjakarta people to defend Indonesia’s Independence with many good technologies inside. The fort is so cool!

Fort Vredeburg is Amazing Fort as well as Ford Rotterdam in Makassar I think

The last destination in that day was Gumuk Pasir – This was Cherlie’s request-. This place is far enough from Yogjakarta, in Bantul exactly. There were many people there when we arrived. This place is so famous, there are many couples who come here, even making Pre-wedding photos is so nice here!

We were shot by Gevia in Gumuk Pasir

That was my last day to do holidays, but I set my time to visit my father’s families before I went back to Makassar. I was so happy that I could meet them again after a long time. I Hope they are always healthy and happy there.

They are my beloved family who always support and pray for me.

Lastly, I was so grateful to God that I had these astonishing experiences. I had decided a right choice to come to Java. And what I got there were not only Knowledge about English but also got many new good friends who became a family and got many new good experiences about anything. I will keep these memories. Thank you and See you!

Note: Thanks for reading this article. I have no another purpose to write this article but just for sharing my time in Java for about more than two months and practicing my writing skill. Because I think the only way to keep my English skill when I am not in Pare anymore is just by writing an article.

Si Doel dan Seni yang Menginspirasi

SI DOEL DAN SENI YANG MENGINSPIRASI

Pada hari itu, tepat pada waktu biasanya orang-orang berangkat ke tempat kerjanya, saya menerima pesan dari sahabat lama saya, sebut saja si Doel, melalui media sosial yang saat ini sudah menjadi salah satu kebutuhan hidup sebagian manusia di dunia. Pesan tersebut cukup mengejutkan, karena berisi ajakan untuk bertemu dengannya. Maklum, setelah lulus SMA kami belum pernah sekalipun bertemu secara langsung. Tanpa pikir panjang, saya pun menerima ajakannya. Saya hanya diminta untuk mempersiapkan diri pada sore hari dan cukup menunggu untuk dijemput olehnya.

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Di atas kendaraan roda dua miliknya, yang saya nilai merupakan salah satu kendaraan roda dua terunik yang pernah saya lihat dan tumpangi, kami berbincang panjang lebar mengenai kehidupan kami setelah lulus SMA tanpa mengetahui ke mana dia akan membawa saya. Tak terhitung berapa lelucon dan tingkah yang selayaknya bukan dilakukan oleh orang yang sudah berumur seperti kami selama di atas kendaraan unik tersebut. Tapi seperti biasanya, saya cukup menikmati perjalanan sambil menunggu kendaraan ini berhenti di tempat tujuan.

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Benar saja, kendaraan roda dua yang penuh dengan stiker di hampir seluruh permukaannya tersebut akhirnya berhenti di salah satu icon kota ini yang biasanya dijadikan tempat para anak muda untuk menyelenggarakan kegiatan-kegiatan kepemudaan, pertunjukan, konser, pameran dan lain sebagainya. Setelah kami masuk, akhirnya saya baru menyadari bahwa tempat yang kami tuju adalah sebuah pagelaran apresiasi seni terbesar di kota ini. Di sana terdapat berbagai kegiatan, mulai dari pameran karya seni rupa seperti: lukisan, kerajinan tangan, ilustrasi gambar, desain grafis dsb. Selain itu juga ada pembacaan karya-karya sastra, pertunjukan tarian, teater dan akan ditutup oleh pertunjukan musik tradisional pada malam harinya.

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“kau tahu tidak kenapa saya mengajakmu ke sini?” Si Doel akhirnya berniat mengutarakan alasannya mengajakku ke sini. “yaa untuk melihat pameran seni-lah” jawabku. “haha, itu sih jelas. Cuman yang perlu kau pahami, jika kau mau melihat miniatur dari keindahan dunia maka jawabannya ada di sini.” Tak mengherankan jika dia mengajakku ke tempat seperti ini. Si doel memang tergolong teman yang unik bagiku. Dia memiliki kecintaan pada semua hal yang berbau seni. Selama di SMA dia selalu melakukan hal-hal yang tidak biasa bagi orang lain dan juga hal-hal unik seperti yang dia lakukan pada kendaraan roda dua miliknya.

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Venue pertama yang kami kunjungi adalah tempat di mana para pelakunya sering biasa disebut bomber. Yap, sekarang kami sedang menikmati perpaduan antara garis, warna, volume dan bentuk yang ditampilkan di dinding-dinding tripleks. Karya seni ini sering disebut sebagai graffiti/ mural. Karya ini biasanya menampilkan gambar atau tulisan yang didesain sedemikian rupa sehingga membentuk suatu keindahan bila dipandang mata. Namun, jika wadah dan kontennya yang salah, bisa saja kegiatan ini dinilai negatif dan masuk kategori vandalisme (merusak/menganggu). “kau tahu tidak, karya-karya seperti ini walaupun terlihat sepele namun turut berkontribusi dalam perjuangan merebut kemerdekaan. Pada waktu itu, seniman-seniman khususnya di Yogyakarta menggunakan media seni rupa untuk memberikan semangat dan meningkatkan jiwa patriotisme Rakyat Indonesia dengan gambar-gambar dan semboyan-semboyan yang dibungkus dengan unsur seni. Pada saat ini pun, media ini sering dijadikan para pelaku seni untuk menyalurkan aspirasinya, mulai untuk memberi dukungan di suatu pertandingan olahraga sampai untuk mengkritik pemerintahan”. Penjelasan si Doel hanya membuatku mengangguk.

(Selanjutnya akan ditampilkan dengan model percakapan)

Saya: “Kenapa sih kau begitu terinspirasi dengan yang namanya seni?” tanyaku.

Doel: “Sebenarnya tidak ada alasan tertentu mengapa saya begitu menyukai seni. Hal itu datang dengan sendirinya. Mungkin dari kecil sudah suka menikmati keindahan hahaha.”

Saya: “Lalu apa yang kesenian itu tawarkan sehingga kau sampai saat ini menggelutinya?”

Doel: “Banyaklah. Seperti yang kukatakan tadi, keindahan yang ditawarkan buatku ketagihan mendalaminya.”

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Di sudut sana, terdengar suara-suara orang membacakan puisi sebagai salah satu karya sastra. Puisi tersebut sempat menyentil telingaku di tengah riuh-ramainya pagelaran ini dengan sajak-sajaknya yang indah dan juga tajam menuntut penguasa. Puisi memang mengandung unsur majemuk di dalamnya. Biasanya terdapat perbandingan atau kontradiktif di dalam sajak-sajaknya yang membuat puisi tersebut semakin kaya akan makna. Puisi memiliki kekuatan pada kata-kata dan makna di dalamnya yang dibawakan dengan penghayatan pembacanya sebagai wujud “rasa” dalam karyanya. Puisi jika ditelaah hampir sama dengan lagu-lagu yang biasa kita dengar di telinga. Namun, tidak bergantung seutuhnya pada nada. Kurang lebih seperti itu yang dijelaskan si Doel kepada saya, yang membuatku lagi-lagi hanya mengangguk saja.

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Matahari hampir terbenam menandakan waktu berbuka puasa jika di Bulan Ramadhan sudah dekat. Pada saat itu, kami juga menyempatkan untuk menonton tarian tradisional “Gandrang Bulo”[1] sebagai sajian penutup sebelum jeda istirahat. Seperti karya seni lainnya, seni tari juga bukan hanya sekedar mempertontonkan gerakan indah apalagi tubuh molek semata, namun di dalamnya juga terkandung makna yang kuat. Untuk tarian yang baru saja kami saksikan, ketika masa penjajahan, tarian yang berasal dari Sulawesi Selatan ini digunakan sebagai media pembangkit semangat perjuangan dan sebagai bahan ejekan terhadap penjajah. Sampai saat ini pun, tarian Gandrang Bulo sering ditampilkan di acara-acara kerajaan bahkan sampai di tingkat Internasional. Tak bisa dipungkiri banyak prestasi yang diraih anak bangsa di ajang Internasional melalui karya seni termasuk dengan seni tari yang sungguh kaya di Indonesia. Penjelasan yang saya tangkap kali ini bukan dari si Doel namun dari sejarawan yang kami temui di samping panggung.

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Dengan adanya jeda istirahat, maka waktu kosong itu kami gunakan untuk menjalankan kewajiban kami untuk sholat maghrib. Sebenarnya kami adalah orang yang jarang memenuhi kewajiban kami tersebut. Namun, karena ajakan dari Bapak La Tamba, sejarawan yang kami ajak cakap tadi, maka kamipun dengan sedikit keterpaksaan melakukannya.

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Setelah menunaikan kewajiban kami sebagai seorang muslim, akhirnya kami berpisah  dengan sejarawan yang tidak hanya mencerahkan kami tentang makna tarian yang baru saja kami saksikan namun juga mencerahkan kami tentang kewajiban kami sebagai umat beragama. Selanjutnya, kami membeli sedikit cemilan guna mengganjal perut kami yang mulai keroncongan. Tidak susah mendapatkan jajanan yang enak di sini. Ya, Selain menjadi ajang unjuk kreativitas, pagelaran seperti ini juga sering dimanfaatkan oleh pedagang-pedagang kecil untuk mencari nafkah. Indonesia tidak hanya kaya akan karya seninya, jajanan tradisionalnya pun juga sangat bermacam-macam.

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Dengan menikmati cemilan yang baru dibeli tadi, kami juga memilih untuk beristirahat sejenak sembari menikmati karya seni lainnya yang terpajang di sekeliling bangunan. Hembusan angin yang sepoi-sepoi dan cahaya lampu yang mulai dinyalakan membuat suasana pagelaran semakin seru saja.

Saya: “oh iya, tadi saya masih belum puas dengan jawabanmu tentang…”

Doel: “Seni?” potongnya.

Saya: “Iya”

Doel: “Baiklah, mungkin saya akan menceritakan secara singkat saja mengapa saya begitu terinspirasi oleh seni. Jadi lagi-lagi seperti yang saya katakan tadi bahwa dari kecil saya sangat menyukai keindahan. Walaupun secara keseluruhan orang-orang lainnya pun begitu, namun yang ini berbeda. Keindahan yang dimaksud di sini mulai dari keindahan secara fisik baik yang dilihat maupun yang didengar. Lalu yang kedua adalah keindahan secara bathin yaitu segala sesuatu yang dirasa oleh perasaan melalui kata-kata dan makna yang terkandung dalam setiap hal/karya yang tercipta. Seperti yang kuketahui bahwa tiap orang memiliki kadar yang berbeda-beda dalam menikmati karya seni. Seperti kadar yang dirasakan orang lain dalam berbagai bidang lainnya. Ada yang biasa saja dan tak terlalu tertarik apalagi menggeluti sesuatu yang berbau seni, adapula yang cepat tersentuh dan sampai tak bisa terlepas dengan hal yang berbau kesenian dalam hidupnya. Mungkin aku adalah tipe yang kedua.”

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Panggung utama sudah mulai mengeluarkan sedikit keributan, tanda pertunjukan teater dan musik akan segera dimulai. Para pengunjung pun sudah mulai berkumpul lagi di depan panggung. Namun kami berdua tetap menjalankan percakapan sembari menghabiskan cemilan yang kami beli tadi. Toh, pertunjukan juga belum dimulai lagi.

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Saya: “Lalu apa pendapatmu mengenai pandangan negatif sebagian orang yang menyebutkan bahwa pelaku seni biasanya adalah orang yang tak punya aturan, acak-acakan, hidupnya hanya ingin bebas, bersenang-senang dan tidak mau diatur?”

Doel: “hahaha, kau lama-lama semakin menjadi seperti wartawan dengan sederet pertanyaanmu ya cuk. Menurut pandangan itu, saya sih merasa sah-sah saja. Mungkin itu pandangan orang awam yang hanya melihat sisi luar dari seorang pelaku seni. Seperti diketahui bahwa seni adalah sesuatu yang indah dan bebas. Karya yang lahir dengan indah adalah biasanya berasal dari proses yang bebas dan tanpa tekanan. Mungkin itu yang membuat sebagian pelaku seni terbawa untuk berpenampilan “bebas”, karena menurut sebagian dari mereka penampilan juga merupakan sebuah seni. Hal itulah yang mungkin kurang dipahami oleh orang lain. So, you have to be a wise person to look everything, and don’t judge book by its cover!”

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Akhirnya pertunjukan teater pun dimulai dengan mengangkat tema budaya bangsa yang semakin terkikis oleh budaya asing. Seperti macam seni lainnya, teater juga sarat akan nilai dan makna di dalamnya. Pesan yang selalu disampaikan melalui pertunjukan ini sangat kuat dan lebih mudah diterima oleh penonton karena kaya akan unsur seni lainnya. Dalam suatu pertunjukan teater, kita sudah dapat menikmati seni musik, seni rupa, seni sastra, seni tari dan tentunya seni peran di dalamnya. Ini terbilang salah satu macam seni yang komplit. Lagi-lagi ini merupakan penjelasan dari si Doel yang belum beranjak dari tempat di mana kami istirahat tadi.

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Saya: “Terus, bagaimana…”

Doel: “husss.. bertanya aja kau itu. Lama-lama akan kujadikan wartawan beneran kau. Aku belum selesai ceritakan?”

Saya: “Siap pak, lanjutkan!”

Doel: “Satu hal lagi mengapa saya bisa sangat mencintai seni, selain bisa melahirkan sebuah karya yang indah yang bisa saya dan juga orang lain nikmati, seni juga bisa sangat menginspirasi. Seperti yang kujelaskan sebelumya, bahwa karya seni tidak diciptakan semata-mata tanpa nilai dan makna di dalamnya. Pelaku seni yang berpakaian amburadul seperti yang kau katakan tadi, ternyata lebih bisa memberikan pesan dan bahkan menginspirasi orang banyak secara positif melalui karyanya dibandingkan dengan orang yang berbaju rapi tapi melakukan korupsi.”

Saya: “Contohnya?”

Doel: “Mungkin kau sudah sering mendengar lagu-lagu perdamaian milik Michael Jackson dengan Heal The World-nya, Imagine milik John Lennon, dan Bob Marley dengan One Love-nya yang membuat dirinya mendapatkan medali perdamaian dari PBB sebagai penghargaan kepada dirinya yang telah memproduksi lagu-lagu bertema perdamaian. Ya itu mungkin hanya sebagian kecil dari karya seni yang menginspirasi di luar karya seni lainnya seperti pada lukisan ilustrasi, film, komedi atau seperti puisi Jusuf Kalla tentang perdamaian di Ambon. Sedari dulu, kesenian bukan hanya suatu hal yang terlihat indah dari luar, namun juga menekankan keindahan pada pesan dan makna yang terkandung di dalamnya dengan beragam tema yang ada. Jadi, intinya saya hanya cukup menikmati semua keindahan itu dan secara tak sadar membuatku tak bisa terlepas dari segala hal yang menyangkut seni.”

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Wajar saja si Doel banyak mengetahui hal menyangkut seni, selain bakatnya terhadap bidang itu, sekarang dia juga kuliah di Institut Seni Indonesia di Kota Gudeg Yogyakarta dan aktif melahirkan karya-karya seni. Penjelasannya terus terang membuat pandanganku lebih terbuka mengenai seni yang bukan hanya sekedar “bersenang-senang” atau “tanpa aturan”, namun jauh dari pada itu, seni dapat menjadi suatu media perjuangan, persatuan, serta penyebaran pesan positif yang efektif dan masif.

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Akhirnya, kami pun beranjak dari tempat istirahat kami, berhubung cemilan dari pedagang asongan yang kami beli tadi sudah habis dan sebentar lagi pertunjukan musik tradisional yang akan dibawakan oleh salah satu musisi legendaris Indonesia akan dimulai. Hari semakin menuju malam dan pagelaran tersebut pun masih ramai dengan antusias pengunjungnya yang belum kendor. Hari ini si Doel benar-benar menyuguhiku dengan segala sesuatu yang mungkin tidak akan pernah terlepas dari hidupnya. Dan, satu hal yang membuatku tersenyum, pada akhirnya saya baru memahami arti dari stiker-stiker yang tertempel di kendaraan unik roda dua milik si Doel yang berbunyi “Dengan agama hidup menjadi terarah, dengan ilmu hidup menjadi mudah, dengan cinta hidup menjadi berkah dan dengan seni hidup menjadi indah.”

Oleh: Muhammad Aprizal Nurelsan, S.Sos

Catatan kaki---

[1]Gandrang Bulo: Gandrang Bulo berasal dari dua kata yaitu, “Gandrang” yang berarti pukulan atau tabuhan dan “Bulo” yang berarti bambu. Tarian yang diiringi dengan alat musik gendang ini berasal dari Sulawesi Selatan dan bernuansa ceria serta jenaka. Tarian ini selalu membawakan pesan atau kegelisahan yang sedang terjadi di masyarakat dalam bentuk banyolan khas Sulawesi Selatan. Pada jaman penjajahan, tarian ini dibawakan sebagai salah satu bentuk ekspresi perlawanan dari para seniman terhadap penjajah. Namun sekarang tarian ini selalu dipentaskan dalam acara-acara seremonial, upacara adat, bahkan sampai ke event Internasional dengan tetap memiliki pesan tersendiri sesuai dengan konteks yang sedang berlangsung di masyarakat.