The “Lontar Project”
published 2013-2014
In 2013, Ki Purbo Asmoro and Kathryn Emerson published a seven-volume set of books which explores Ki Purbo’s contemporary interpretive style (garapan sedalu). The story Makutharama was recorded in three styles—classical, contemporary, and condensed. The story Sesaji Raja Suya was also recorded in these three styles. Order the books through AMAZON or BARNES and NOBLE, or both the books and DVDs through LONTAR.
The resulting six performances were documented in a set of books:
1. Makutharama: three transcripts of the Javanese performances by Ki Purbo Asmoro
2. Mahkota Rama: the three performances in Indonesian translations by Dr Sugeng Nugroho of ISI Surakarta
3. Rama’s Crown: the three performances in English translation with introductory material, and extensive notes and appendices by Kathryn Emerson
4. Sesaji Raja Suya: three transcripts of the Javanese by Ki Purbo Asmoro
5. Persembahan Agung Para Raja: the three performances in Indonesian translations by Dr Sunardi of ISI Surakarta
6. The Grand Offering of the Kings: the three performances in English translation with introductory material, and extensive notes and appendices by Kathryn Emerson
7. Gamelan Scores: complete balungan and vocal notation for all the material in all six performances, with introductory material and extensive notes by Kathryn Emerson
All performances, in full, are also available in DVDs with both English and Indonesian subtitles.
NOTE:
By approximately January 2023, all of the Lontar materials (books and DVDs) will be available digitally through the Contemporary Wayang Archive.
Transforming Wayang for Contemporary Audiences
Upon completion of the Lontar Project, Kathryn Emerson embarked on a more in-depth examination of Ki Purbo Asmoro innovative garapan style. She completed her dissertation “Transforming Wayang for Contemporary Audiences” in 2016 at Leiden University. In 2018, the Indonesian translation of this dissertation, “Pembaharuan Wayang untuk Penonton Terkini,” was published in book form by ISI Press. The original dissertation in English and initial Indonesian translation can be found here, while the updated Indonesian translation shown in photos above can be obtained by contacting Wejoseno at +62-821-4533-3504 (cell or WA).
“Memang ini oleh seorang peneliti sejati yang tahu betul dan mengikuti sejarah trus-menerus. Apa yang ditulis itu dari A sampai Z itu menurut saya detail sekali. Saya saja, yang berkarya saja, kadang tidak gagas tapi oleh beliau digagas. Mungkin ini bisa menjadi pemacu bagi kami dan teman-teman di sini bahwa menjadi seorang peneliti sejati memang harus terjun langsung, jadi yang diteliti itu harus tahu betul, tidak ngawurisasai. Harus tahu betul konsepnya sampai masalah kecil saja.”
Ki Purbo Asmoro, 24 February 2018, Teater Kecil, ISI Surakarta