TIMES SINGAPORE, MALANG – It was a serene sunset in Malang for driving on the little quiet highway after rain on Wednesday (25/10/2023). This drive led my friend and I to RSBS or known as Rumah Seni Budaya Singhasari where we aimed to learn more about protecting culture.

We had a long talk with one of the people who started RSBS. They told us about the group's history, their ongoing initiatives, and their commitment to safeguarding Indonesia’s cultural heritage.

RSBS is situated in Singosari, Malang, East Java. This place has been operating since 1875. Founded by Suwargi Effendi and Muhammad Effendi, the house has been an integral part of the movement to preserve Javanese culture.

The Beginning of the Story

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At first, RSBS started as a group named "Kendedes Sari Budoyo" focusing on Karawitan art. But as time went by, Rumah Seni Budaya Singhasari starts to expose Wayang Kulit, an ancient art form that employs shadow theater to narrate stories.

Sadhana Devi, the second generation manager of this place said that in the beginning, they had a group called Kendedes Sari Budoyo focusing on performing Karawitan music. As they grew, the more than realize that Indonesia has many different cultures beyond Karawitan.

"That's why we focus on Wayang Kulit, especially Wayang Purwa show. Karawitan and Wayang Purwa are ancient arts that help revive our culture," she said.

Suwargi Effendi, the man behind the founding of RSBS, thought that Wayang Kulit was extremely significant. In Indonesian culture, a “place” refers to a location or domain that holds great importance and meaning.

However, the language, Sanskrit, used in Wayang performances, is typically difficult to comprehend. That is why the role of puppeteers in performing wayang shows in more accessible languages is needed.

A Gallery with Cultural Activities

This gallery does not only host a variety of art shows but also provides Wayang Kulit training sessions for their members every Sunday. They also offer traditional dancing classes on Fridays and Sundays, as well as Karawitan classes to complement Wayang performances on Wednesdays and Sundays.

This group also offer educational programs for different age groups, from young children in elementary school to university students. One of the shows they offer is called the "2-Hour Wayang Show”.

During this show, attendees gain insights into the traditional art form of Wayang and engage in discussions about its cultural significance. RSBS, moreover, shows how to utilize squandered materials to make valuable things.

According to Sadhana Devi, during the foremost critical sort, Suwargi Effendy said that Wayang is the most important craftsmanship in RSBS. Wayang Kulit could be a conventional manikin that appears with parcels of distinctive stories and characters. It serves as a means of teaching us about life and valuable lessons on proper behavior.

Shut Down for Covid

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, RSBS has experienced significant changes. All the cultural and art heritage was closed temporarily. Sadhana Devi said that due to the pandemic, their activities were terminated.

The gallery then redirected its efforts towards studying and applying traditional natural medicine, utilizing plants and herbs.

"Yes, once we closed temporarily during the pandemic. It was hard to gather the students and we had no activities. Because we stayed at home, I felt closer to nature. Eventually, we focused on traditional herbs for bloated tummy or common cold, to appreciate traditional culture,” Sadha added.

Back on Their Feet

In today's society, Rumah Seni Budaya Singhasari is one of the places for preserving Indonesia's culture. The creator of this gallery explains that it functions as a hub for culture and a space where individuals can learn about diverse cultures in the present day.

This house dedicated themselves to help young people gain insights into Indonesian culture, recognizing that they are often influenced by technology and urban lifestyles. Within many programs, RSBS invites communities, schools, colleges, and universities to protect and restore cultural traditions that are gradually fading away.

In doing so, they help to protect our country's unique traditions and culture from the effects of globalization. In simple terms, the founder of RSBS is committed to safeguard Indonesia's precious culture and ensure its transmission to future generations.

“Culture is special and unique, which distinguishes one country from others. At Rumah Seni Budaya Singasari (RSBS), we work hard to promote love and kindness. To ensure that Indonesian culture can continue to grow and flourish in today's world.” Sadha said. (*)