A kris is decorated with the Garuda Pancasila motif
Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
| Mon, 06/07/2010 8:52 AM | Feature
Exciting developments are taking place in the world of keris or kris. The traditional dagger has been given a makeover, with kris designers letting their creative juices flow, blending the modern and traditional in an exhibition of kris at the National Gallery.
Kris enthusiasts touring the exhibition are likely to do a double take when coming across the faces of both President Barack Obama and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono engraved on one of the traditional daggers. They might also frown when hearing dangdut singer Inul Daratista inspired one of the kris designer’s creations.
But if anything, kris designers are making a statement: They are embracing a modern spirit reflecting the latest trends around us.
The Obama fever is one of them. Just like paintings can tell a thousand stories about the US president, so can the Kanjeng Kiyai Obama Pinandito Kris.
“If you look carefully, you will see the head with curly hair engraved on the lower part of the blade is actually Obama,” said renowned painter Hardi, who designed the kris. “I named it Obama Pinandito [the religious Obama] because I see him as a spiritual person.”
| Mon, 06/07/2010 8:52 AM | Feature
Exciting developments are taking place in the world of keris or kris. The traditional dagger has been given a makeover, with kris designers letting their creative juices flow, blending the modern and traditional in an exhibition of kris at the National Gallery.
Kris enthusiasts touring the exhibition are likely to do a double take when coming across the faces of both President Barack Obama and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono engraved on one of the traditional daggers. They might also frown when hearing dangdut singer Inul Daratista inspired one of the kris designer’s creations.
But if anything, kris designers are making a statement: They are embracing a modern spirit reflecting the latest trends around us.
The Obama fever is one of them. Just like paintings can tell a thousand stories about the US president, so can the Kanjeng Kiyai Obama Pinandito Kris.
“If you look carefully, you will see the head with curly hair engraved on the lower part of the blade is actually Obama,” said renowned painter Hardi, who designed the kris. “I named it Obama Pinandito [the religious Obama] because I see him as a spiritual person.”
“And look at the pamor [patterns on the blade],” Hardi paused, and continued “it’s Melati Sinebar — or scattered jasmines.”
Just like jasmines exude a wonderful scent around them, he went on, “Obama exudes great, positive energy, like the sense of peace.”
Hardi first felt inspired to design the Obama Pinandito a few months ago, when he realized he needed more than just a canvas to express his imagination.
A long-time admirer of kris, he chose the traditional weapon as his new medium of expression. Not only did he come up with the Obama kris, Hardi also designed the Kanjeng Kyahi Yudhoyono kris and Kanjeng Kiyai Budiono.
Like their names they suggest, both kris bear the faces [and stories] of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his Vice President Budiono.
“I designed two Yudhoyono kris,” said Hardi, who had the daggers made by famous Maduranese kris maker Damanhuri one month ago. “One of them carries the pamor of Samudera Sabar [the ocean of patience]. It means that SBY [Yudhoyono] is a patient leader, but he must also be more decisive.”
Meanwhile, as the story goes for the Boediono kris, Hardi commented, “this kris illustrates how quiet Boediono is [as a leader]. It wants to send the message that Boediono should have more courage to speak out.”
The Yudhoyono, Boediono and Obama kris are now on display at the “Keris for the World” exhibition in Jakarta’s National gallery, alongside more than 500 kris — old and new — from across the archipelago.
The exhibition commemorates the kris becoming a UNESCO world heritage.
“We’re very concerned about the [Indonesian] public not recognizing the kris, despite its status as world heritage,” said Hardi, also one of the event’s initiators. “I just hope it earns a special place [in people’s minds] like any other cultural heritage items.”
Kris collector Toni Junus, who’s also the event’s committee head, shared a similar view. All this time, he said, kris lovers have been working on changing the public’s negative perception of the kris — that the traditional dagger belongs to the realm of superstition.
Toni himself admits he grew up believing the kris possessed supernatural powers. As he recalled, his parents used to tell him mystical stories about kris, causing him to have goose bumps whenever he saw one.
But after he witnessed the complicated kris-making process, Toni quickly changed his perception of the dagger, and even started to fall in love with it. That is when he realized how the negative image associated with the kris alienated many Indonesians.
“The kris is actually a piece of art — it’s a medium of expression; it’s our heritage,” Toni said.
Kris enthusiasts collect the traditional dagger for a number of reasons.
“The first [group] of collectors are attracted to the kris simply because they believe in its mystical powers,” Toni explained. “They don’t value its esthetic qualities.”
The second group, Toni went on, appreciate the kris for its beauty and the philosophy behind the dagger — they pay attention to the ornaments and the stories behind the designs.
“And the last [group] consists of collectors who go deeper: They learn how to make a kris — and some even master the [kris-making] skills,” Toni said.
Many individuals today not only collect, but also design kris and make their own. As a result, the kris has evolved, sporting more contemporary forms and designs.
“The kris today comes in unique and even odd forms,” Toni said, while showing a short-sized and bulky kris, which looked nothing like the common slim traditional dagger we know. “The pamor evolved from the classic standards,” he added.
Toni designed several kris himself, namely one inspired by dangdut diva Inul Daratista. The Kanjeng Kiyai Daratista Kris (kanjeng kiyai is an honorable title) is made of meteorites from Argentina.
“I also call this the Goyang Inul Kris,” said Toni, who made the kris four months ago. “As you can see, the blade’s [extreme] curve reminds us of Inul’s famous ngebor [drilling] dancing style,” he added.
So, while the kris in the past was used as a weapon of war, it has now evolved with our changing societies, bringing ancient romanticism and pride back. As Toni put it, “Today’s kris has enriched itself.”
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/06/07/%E2%80%98keris%E2%80%99-world.html
