A Dance Artist’s Long Track

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

Alit Maryono

The love and dedication of Alit Maryono, 76, to dancing is unquestionable. He has been engaged in the dancing world since his childhood. He is the creator of Mahesa Jenar Simolodra, a distinctive dance of Magelang, Central Java.

Mahesa Jenar Simolodra was inspired by the story of Mahesa Jenar, the main character in the novel Nagasasra dan Sabuk Inten (names of two missing royal heirlooms) written by SH Mintardja, which was popular in the 1960s. Choreographed by Alit as a senior high school student, the dance has been the pride of the Magelang people because it was staged at the opening of the 7th National Sports Festival in Surabaya, East Java, in 1969.

He has also created several dance dramas originating in ten old manuscripts connected to Magelang’s history, including Mantyasih (based on an inscription). Some of the dance dramas are still frequently performed during anniversary celebrations of Magelang city.

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Besides creating dances, Alit has been striving to impart his love of dancing art through dance studios. He set up two studios decades ago, one of which is Sanggar Pitaloka, which he piloted some 33 years back and has remained active today with about 50 members.

In 2020, for instance, he was asked to arrange the mass performance of Kuntulan (traditional dance) to commemorate the centenary of Water Tower built by the Dutch in 1920.

His direct engagement in this art in fact was formally concluded in 2000 when he retired as a civil servant. Nonetheless, many circles have continued to expect his involvement in handling art events. In 2020, for instance, he was asked to arrange the mass performance of Kuntulan (traditional dance) to commemorate the centenary of Water Tower built by the Dutch in 1920. Sadly, though, the dance was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Even at present he is still visited by people who want to have courtesy gatherings and discussions about dancing art so that he has become a resource person for research work.

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

Alit Maryono

He patiently serves his guests, even willingly lending documents of his studies of ancient manuscripts.

“For students’ (research) needs, many of my studies have gone after being borrowed and never returned,” Alit laughingly said when visited on Sunday (31/1/2021). Yet Alit doesn’t want to find fault with anybody. For him, sharing his knowledge is more important.

“Although physically I’m no longer able to dance, I remain open to discussions about everything related to arts,” said the resident of South Kramat subdistrict, North Magelang district, Magelang city, affirming his commitment.

Long track

Alit got acquainted with dancing in 1952 when he was a primary school third grader in Wonosobo regency, Central Java. The son of a policeman initially learned dancing from Bambang Tetuko Sewoko, who was assigned to teach dancing art to children in the police barracks. Bambang learned the art from Mangkunegaran Palace, Surakarta.

From this instructor, Alit learned various Javanese dances, including Handaga Bugis (war dance with martial arts), Bambangan Cakil (dance of war between gentle and violent characters) and Anoman Anggada (dance of war between messengers of King Rama). Later, he was entrusted to stage dance performances in schools, hotels and an event to welcome the Malaysian Prime Minister in Wonosobo. He also appeared several times in wayang orang (Hindu epic based classical dance drama).

In the city Alit’s dance activity further expanded along with requests to teach children in the vicinity, which he welcomed by forming Sanggar Mardi Bekso.

In 1962 Alit moved to Magelang city where his father was transferred. In the city Alit’s dance activity further expanded along with requests to teach children in the vicinity, which he welcomed by forming Sanggar Mardi Bekso. Twenty children joined the studio to learn Javanese classical dances and wayang dances for free.

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While giving instruction, he started creating his own dances. Mahesa Jenar Simolodra was thus born, which later was staged in different ceremonies. Then still a senior high school student, he rose to fame. As a reward, in 1966 he was offered to work with the Education and Culture Office of Magelang city. “Without any testing or selection, I was directly received and accorded the status of civil servant,” he said.

In this office, Alit had greater opportunity to broaden his activity in this art. For example, he could provide guidance for dancing art development in schools, study many old manuscripts and documents about Magelang for conversion into dance dramas, besides following dance training programs, exchanging views with academicians and artists, and joining art missions and festivals.

Alit’s studio development went on. In 1988, with two dance artists in Magelang, he helped open Sanggar Pitaloka now still functional. By staging a Pitaloka dance drama, this studio earned the second rank in an art mission of Central Java.

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

Alit Maryono

His preoccupation with dancing since the 1960s has left a long track and great pride especially to citizens of Magelang. Now at his advanced age he is immersed in the method of Waskita Reiki therapy (through energy transfer) and maintain a clinic at home.

Alit Maryono

Born: Sungai Penuh, Jambi, 7 October 1944

Wife: Mustikawati, 74

Children: four

Education: State Senior High School 1 Magelang

Awards:

- Award for dedication to the world of art from the Central Java Art Center (2020)

- Satya Lencana Karya Satya Pengabdian (Medal of merit for devotion)

(This article was translated by Aris Prawira)