Brilio.net/en - Indonesia is known worldwide as a culturally rich country. Central Java, for example, is famous for its gamelan instruments and karawitan, musicians.
One of the famous gamelan art centers can be found in Wirun Tourism Village, Mojolaban, Sukoharjo, Central Java. The gamelan art has thrived in Wirun for decades and it is now known worldwide as a gamelan tourism village. It all started as a household handicraft which eventually became an industry.
Even so, the younger generations interest on karawitan has faded. Besides being a tourism area of gamelan industry, the youth also preserve karawitan. Young people here have tried to preserve karawitan and practice it twice a week, explained Fariska YosiIryanti, one of the students from Islamic Institute of Surakarta performing Kuliah Kerja Nyata or KKN (Community Service Program) in Wirun, to brilio.net/en, Friday (28/8).
As stated by Friska, not many people, especially youth in Central Java, care and want to know more about gamelan and karawitan. Thus, increased promotion of this cultural heritage is needed, so that the musical talents of youth in Wirun can be developed.
With local knowledge, these young people are trying to preserve their culture in the middle of modernization. They prove that they are able to keep studying traditional culture and help preserve it.
The spirit of Wiruns youth in practicing karawitan inspired Fariska and her friends to get involved in learning karawitan by attending tourism events in Sukoharjo, as well as other cultural activities. These students should be recognized for their work to promote the culture and talents of youth in art.