Hello Brilio.net friends, this time we had the opportunity to visit the studio of the dance maestro, Didi Nini Thowok. He tells a lot about himself in the content. Let's watch the video.
"Actually, the stereotype that arises in society is wrong that dance is only for women. "Because dance is a sport of feeling, and if we look at palace dancers, for example, those who dance are also male characters."
That was the statement made by Didi Nini Thowok or who is familiarly called Mas Didi. The name Didik Nini Thowok is no longer foreign to the world of performing arts. He was born on the slopes of Mount Sumbing, Temanggung in 1954. He started dancing when he was 12 years old, which he learned at church. He has Chinese blood and his birth name is Kwee Tjoen An. In 1965 the name was changed during the G30SPKI tragedy. Becoming Didik Hadi Prayitno, which until now has been his official name. The name Didik Nini Thowok also has a story behind it.
"So in 74, I went to Jogja to study, from Temanggung I moved to Jogja. In Jogja I met my seniors who were also lecturers and seniors. "Her name was Bekti Budi Hastuti, she was called Ms. Tuti, which later on, her name became Tuti Nini Thowok," said Didi.
The Nini Thowok dance was originally Didik's senior work on campus. But at that time, he was entrusted with performing the dance. Unexpectedly, good responses came from many parties. The Nini Thowok dance is everywhere on TV screens. From there she became known and people called her Didik Nini Thowok. Breaking society's stereotypes, he has strong principles. Still carrying out cross-gender performances which are his trademark.
"I'm talking about the 'performing arts' frame, that there are a lot of stereotypes in society that don't fit, they're actually wrong. "Because you don't know, you can't be blamed, your understanding is still limited," explained Didi.
He also shared stories about how to get out of various stereotypes. Like doing research and studying history.
"If I dance with a woman, it can't be any more than that woman becomes something that has no value. "If I show quality, it's not just us who see it, the outside world also sees it," explained Didi.
Along the way, becoming an artist certainly has many challenges. Covers character development and finding inspiration. Reading books, watching performances in various places are a source of inspiration. When she becomes a female character, she trains by observing. But there is one character that is the hardest for him.
Dashing character. Bima can't do it. It's not that you can't, you can, it just doesn't feel like it's there. Because when I dance, a dashing man is feminine. When Bima is a bit feminine, that's impossible," said Didi.
For artists, rituals before performances are not taboo. Including Didi, she always carries out the flower bathing ritual. However, not all artists carry out rituals. When asked about rituals and beliefs, he answered casually.
"Sometimes people often confuse art and culture with religious beliefs, so they don't connect, in my opinion, if they collide, they won't meet, they will definitely collide," added Didi.
He also does not deny that many artists are 'keblinger'. Tried an instant method that turned out to be wrong and off track. According to him, rituals should only be used as an intermediary. Trust issues, that is a personal matter.
There are also those who really ask for bestsellers so they can become famous, but they don't ask God. Shortcuts, installing implants, there are dancers who do that to make their buttocks sexy, they put implants in their buttocks. "That's already using tools which, in my personal opinion, are not suitable, people ask God to give them, but they are safer, don't use nagih-nagih or taboos," concluded Didi.
(brl/red)
