Sukarno and the World of Javanese Performing Arts

DOI

10.2991/978-2-38476-503-4_19How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Sukarno; Javanese Performing Arts; Wayang Kulit Purwa; Javanese Dance; Wayang Orang; Karawitan

Abstract

Sukarno was a national movement leader, one of the proclamator of Indonesian independence, and the first president of the Republic of Indonesia. Various aspects of his life, particularly in the political sphere, have attracted the attention of scholars. However, there is one aspect of Sukarno’s life that has received less attention: his presence in the world of art. Although studies have discussed Sukarno’s interest and passion for art, particularly painting and architecture, no study has specifically examined Sukarno’s presence in the world of Javanese performing arts. This article was written using the historical method and aims to examine Sukarno’s attention, presence, and involvement in the world of Javanese performing arts. The results of the study show that Sukarno had a great interest in Javanese performing arts, namely wayang kulit (shadow puppet), wayang orang (human puppet), dance, and karawitan. Sukarno also had close relationships with Javanese performing artists, including Ki Gito Sewoko, Ki Pujo Sumarto, Ki Nartosabdho (dhalang), Rusman, Suwarni, and Sutjipto Dihardjo (dancers), Tjokrowasito (karawitan artist), and Nyi Tjondrolukito (pesindhen). This article holds significant importance in shaping the national character. In this context, Sukarno’s love for Javanese performing arts can inspire the Indonesian people, demonstrating that a passion for art is an integral part of loving one's homeland. This article was compiled using historical methods. From a historiographical perspective, this article contributes to the existing body of knowledge. It reinforces the facts regarding Sukarno's significant attention to traditional arts as part of his love for the homeland and as a means for cultural development and the formation of national character.

Copyright

© 2025 The Author(s)

Open Access

Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Dhanang Respati Puguh
AU  - Mahendra Pudji Utama
AU  - Rafngi Mufidah
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/12/19
TI  - Sukarno and the World of Javanese Performing Arts
BT  - Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Culture and Sustainable Development (ICOCAS 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 151
EP  - 159
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-503-4_19
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-503-4_19
ID  - Puguh2025
ER  -