Keumalahayati Musical Theater - Laskar Inong Balee

Jakarta, August 2023 - Celebrating the 78th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, Gema Citra Nusantara (GCN) and Papatong Artspace for the second time are holding the musical theater "Keumalahayati - Laskar Inong Balee" on 12 and 13 August 2023 at 19.00 WIB, at the Jakarta Theater Taman Ismail Marzuki , Central Jakarta. Previously, the staging of this musical was held on March 19, 2022, at the same place.

Keumalahayati's heroic story begins when she leads more than 2,000 Inong Balee troops (widows of martyred heroes) to fight against the Dutch while killing Cornelis de Houtman in a one-on-one battle on the ship's deck. For her leadership, the Sultan of Aceh Darussalam gave her the title of Admiral for her bravery so that later Keumalahayati was better known as Admiral Malahayati. "The story of Keumalahayati is not fiction. She is a national hero and the first female warlord not only in Indonesia but also in the world.

Hopefully this performance will inspire the younger generation to emulate character, tenacity and nationalism in defending the archipelago from colonialism through art. show," said Mira Marina Arismunandar, co-founder of GCN as the musical’s Executive Producer. According to Mira, this musical drama is a medium of introducing and educating the story of Keumalahayati's struggle. The heroic story of Keumalahayati begins after her husband, Admiral Zainal Abidin, dies in battle. Malahayati proposed to the Sultan of Aceh to form an army consisting of the widows of Acehnese soldiers who died in battle, called the Inong Balee. The request was granted and she was appointed as the leader of the Inong Balee troop.

"Until today, many people do not know the figure of Keumalahayati whose struggle has been recognized by the Government as a National Hero in 2017. This performance is in order to further socialize the figure of a mighty woman from the land of Aceh, who at that time had been given the right to lead the war from the Sultanate. This was something extraordinary," said Mira.

The retelling of Keumalahayati's heroism, according to Mira, cannot be carried out instantly with just one go, "It needs to be carried out continuously, either with the same or a completely different approach. This is a collective task, where we hope that Keumalahayati, a brave and loyal woman to the motherland, is eventually well-known by boys and girls in Indonesia, and they can take the positive values that exist in her as well as being part of the character formation of our young generation," said Mira.

Maritime Silk Road, the musical drama Keumalahayati, directed by Teuku Rifnu Wikana and Krisna Aditya, features the main players including Haikal Baron of AFI 2, Wikana himself, and Karissa Soerjanatamihardja in the title role. In addition the production also stars notable names, such as senior Acehnese artists, Marzuki Hasan, Junio Ferandez, Yan Wibisono, Beyon Destiano, and Fachrizal Mochsen. Completing the cast is four Keumalahayati’s inner circle, starring Nanda Dian Utami, Nadya Devina, Kartika Desma and Jeyhan Safina. The stage creative team consists of well-known professionals, such as Gema Sedatana (Scriptwriter), Leodet (Music Composer), Jufrizal and Asep Supriyatna (Traditional Music Arranger), Wiwik HW (Choreographer), Helen Nanlohy (Vocal Coach), Endro Sukmono ( Fighting Coach), Bulqini (Scenographer), Mamed Slasov (Lighting). Conceptually, the story idea for the musical Keumalahayati is still the same like the first show - even a number of actors are still the same. However, there is a slight development, where the maritime silk route and the sale of spices are raised in the narrative.

This performance based on traditional Acehnese dance and music, which is packaged in a modern presentation, will show the role of Inong Balee played by dancers from GCN. The performance will also give stage to three Acehnese dances in the new choreography, namely the Ranup Lampuan, Rencong, and Ratoh Kipah dances. All three are important dances in Aceh, and each has a different meaning. The Rencong dance, for example, tells the story of the spirit of Acehnese women in fighting for the true values of life and the dignity and majesty of humans as God's creatures.

On stage, the strength of GCN as a dance group will be very prominent, especially in the part where the colossal war is played out in a slick dance choreography in the middle of a black Acehnese costume. There are very different things that will be displayed on the Keumalahayati stage this year, one of which is the musical line-up that will be played live by the Batavia Chamber Orchestra.

Apart from that, in the make-up artist section there were Deaf Friends, assisted by the Indonesian Tangguh Women's Foundation. “For a long time, I wanted to invite friends with disabilities to be part of the art activities organized by GCN. And Alhamdulillah, this is the second time we involve them. But this time it's a little different, friends with disabilities will act as make-up artists. Besides that, in the lobby of the theater, we provide a special stand to showcase the works of friends with disabilities," said Mira closing the conversation.