Thursday night (14/12/2024), the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program held a puppet show with the play Gajahmada Kridha (Ra Kuti Balela). The night was also the night of the awarding to the winners of the Temu Budaya Nusantara XXX competition, this puppet show was also held in commemoration of World Shadow Puppet Day. The puppet performance was held in Greenland, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University. Masterminded by M. Rafi Nur Fauzy, a 2023 student of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program and in collaboration with the Surakarta Style Javanese Arts Unit (UKJGS) UGM, the Gajahmada Kridha puppet show went smoothly.

Based on an interview with Rafi, Gadjahmada Kridha (Ra Kuti Balela) tells the story of Gajah Mada’s role in suppressing the rebellion of Ra Kuti, a Dharmaputra or courtier at that time. Ra Kuti’s rebellion was based on dissatisfaction with King Jayanegara who was very weak and easily manipulated by his subordinates. This made some of his courtiers unhappy, including Ra Kuti. Ra Kuti wanted to restore the dignity of Majapahit at that time. However, it turned out that Ra Kuti’s idea was not approved by the community so that the community considered that Ra Kuti was committing a rebellion. When Ra Kuti successfully occupied the capital, Jayanegara was escaped by Bhayangkara’s troops. After strategizing, the Bhayangkara troops were able to turn the situation around and Ra Kuti died at the hands of Gajah Mada.

The rebellion carried out by Ra Kuti changed an Gajah Mada who was initially only a commander of soldiers then appointed as patih. The beginning of Ra Kuti’s rebellion as Dharmaputra was caused by a divide and conquer, by Mahapati, a cunning person. He made a strategy so that all Majapahit predecessors were finished and Mahapati could steer the country, even though he did not want the position of king. Gajahmada, who knew Mahapati’s guise, succeeded in making Mahapati die at the hands of Gajah Mada.

Puppet performance of Gajahmada Kridha (Ra Kuti Balela)

There were many processes involved in writing the script for this puppet show. With the help of R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A., and Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A., as academics and wayang practitioners, Rafi revealed “Initially I read Negara Kertagama but there was no explicit role of Gajah Mada in it. Then in consultation with Mr. Bima and Mr. Rudy, I was advised to read comics, tutur tinular, and Pararaton.” Being able to perform his own hand-drawn sanggit is a proud and enjoyable thing for Rafi. However, unfortunately there is a lack of appreciation from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences regarding this puppet performance. It is a good first step for the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program to organize a puppet show at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, especially to introduce students and residents of Universitas Gadjah Mada to puppetry.

It is hoped that with this wayang performance, more and more students and the general public will be interested in puppetry, because basically puppets in this globalization era are more flexible, not fixated on puppetry conventions. It does not require classical wayang, but it can also be contemporary according to each taste. For the younger generation to be able to love wayang from what they find interesting, it can be from the music accompaniment, the story, and the characters. There are many life lessons that can be learned from puppetry, which can be used for later life.

[Public Relation Faculty of Cultural Science UGM, Editor: Sandya Kirani]

In the midst of a busy academic routine, a number of students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program have made extraordinary achievements in the non-academic field. They are members of a band called Band Wangoen which has recently stolen a lot of attention with its keroncong genre. The band, which consists of 7 students, has shown dedication, creativity, and a high spirit of teamwork. Band Wangoen means “to be appropriate (in terms of goodness)” it is hoped that with this name Band Wangoen can entertain with wangun in every performance.

At one of Gadjah Mada University’s events, Integrated Career Days held in November, Band Wangoen managed to present a beautiful performance. Performing pop songs with keroncong arrangements made them appear different from the others. This achievement not only shows their talent, but also their ability to manage time well between studies and non-academic activities.

“Actually, we all have busy schedules, but making music and being an artist is a fun thing to do. We learn to manage our time well, take advantage of every opportunity to practice, and stay focused on our academic assignments,” said Amtenaring Gulang, the cak’s player and student of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program class of 2022 who initiated the formation of the band, adding that it was not easy to find group members who had an interest in keroncong music and were talented to play and sing Javanese songs.

The keroncong genre and Javanese songs performed also show the role of Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program students in preserving Javanese culture. Keroncong music and Javanese songs are rare to be heard by the current generation, it is fitting to preserve and introduce them so that their existence does not decline. One of the Javanese dolanan songs was also performed on stage, entitled “Gethuk” the song was sung beautifully by the vocalist Dian Patmisari. Tembang dolanan has an important role in Javanese society, especially for children, indirectly the content of dolanan songs contains moral and life values that can be a teaching of character building.

Wangoen Band performance in Integrated Career Days event

Apart from performing at Integrated Career Days 2024, Band Wangoen also had the opportunity to perform 8 songs at the Malam Alumni event as a series of Nitilaku 2024, namely the 75th Anniversary of Universitas Gadjah Mada and the 15th lustrum. This time, Band Wangoen invited Lala Atila, a sinden, singer, and student of the Language, Literature and Culture Study Program class of 2021 as a vocalist. Lala Atila’s melodious voice managed to create an intimate atmosphere among the alumni of Universitas Gadjah Mada who were present. The event, which was also attended by Basuki Hadimuljono, Head of the 2nd Nusantara Capital Authority, went smoothly with the warm accompaniment of keroncong music by the Wangoen Band.

Wangoen Band’s performance at Alumni Night 2024

The success of Band Wangoen also shows the importance of balance between academic and non-academic activities. The band members proved that with good time management, they can excel not only in the classroom but also outside the classroom. It is hoped that their success will become an example for all students to be more active in exploring their potential in various fields. With increasingly steady steps, Band Wangoen shows that the world of lectures is not only a place to gain knowledge, but also a place to develop talents and achieve success in various aspects of life.

[Public Relation FIB UGM, Editor: Sandya Kirani]

Master of Linguistics Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada will receive a visit from the Language Center of Southeast Sulawesi Province on:

Day/Date: Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Time: 13.00 – 15.15 WIB

Place: Room 721, Soegondo Building 7th Floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM

This meeting aims to discuss the Compilation of Bilingual Dictionary (Indonesia-Region) and Writing of Scientific Articles, as well as discuss other opportunities for cooperation between the two parties.

This activity will be attended by:

Dean of Faculty of Humanities

Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs

Vice Dean for Finance, Assets, and Human Resources

Head and Secretary of the Master of Linguistics Study Program

Delegates from the Language Center of Southeast Sulawesi Province (3 people)

Cooperation and Public Relations Unit (2 people)

Through this meeting, it is hoped that a good synergy can be established in developing linguistics, especially related to regional language documentation and improving the quality of scientific publications.

On Thursday, December 5, 2024, Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) received a visit from Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA) in order to benchmark the Tourism Study Program. The meeting took place at Soegondo Building, FIB UGM, and was attended by representatives of lecturers and students from both institutions.

This visit aims to deepen ITERA’s understanding of the management of the Tourism Study Program. During the discussion, representatives from the Tourism Study Program of FIB UGM explained their curriculum structure, including the number of credits and courses offered in each semester. ITERA got a detailed description of the learning patterns and various best practices applied at FIB UGM.

In addition, the discussion also covered the challenges faced in running the study program, such as curriculum development, implementation of field practice, and management of human resources and infrastructure. Both institutions exchanged ideas to overcome these obstacles, and discussed opportunities for future collaboration.

This activity is expected to provide inspiration for Institut Teknologi Sumatera in managing similar study programs, as well as strengthening the collaborative relationship between the two institutions in supporting the advancement of tourism education in Indonesia.

The Master of Linguistics Study Program would like to respectfully and proudly congratulate the distinguished academics of the Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Gadjah Mada on achieving the title of Professor:

✨ Prof. Dr. Hendrokumoro, M.Hum

 ✨ Prof. Dr. Suhandano, M.A

 ✨ Prof. Dr. Sajarwa, M.Hum

This achievement is a form of extraordinary dedication in the world of academics and science. Hopefully this achievement will be a driving force to continue working and make a greater contribution to the progress of the nation and inspire future generations of academics.

Congratulations and success always!