Ngesti Pandawa

Ngesti Pandawa was founded in Madiun by Sastro Sabdo on July 2, 1937, with the aim of reviving the art of wayang orang panggung. This form of wayang play is performed by human actors on a proscenium stage. Wayang orang panggung blends court wayang orang (also called pendhapa wayang orang, as it was traditionally performed in the pendhapa—the spacious open hall of Javanese stately mansions—rather than on a stage) and Western theater.{{ref|Rustopo|a}} The first wayang orang panggung troupe was established in 1895 by Gan Kan, a Chinese entrepreneur from Surakarta (Solo). Ngesti Pandawa aimed to preserve the art of wayang orang and promote traditional arts, while also providing entertainment.{{ref|Mumpuni|b}} Sastro Sabdo's mission was supported by Sastro Sudirdjo, Narto Sabdo, Darso Sabdo, and Kusni.

Since its founding, Wayang Orang Ngesti Pandawa has performed for diverse audiences, including members of the Javanese, Dutch, and Chinese communities.

Ngesti Pandawa has relocated several times within Semarang. In 1954, it moved to a building in the Gedung Rakyat Indonesia Semarang (GRIS) complex at Jalan Pemuda 116, the site of Paragon City Mall Semarang.

From the 1960s to the 1970s, under the leadership of Sastro Sabdo and Narto Sabdo, Ngesti Pandawa was active in Semarang, performing drama and dance. Musical accompaniment and gending-gendingan were created by the Indonesian puppeteer {{ill|Ki Nartosabdho|id|Nartosabdo}}.{{Cite journal |last=Lanjari |first=Restu |date=January 2017 |title=Political Practice and Its Implication on Folk Art Marginalization (Case Study of Wayang Orang/ Human Puppet Ngesti Pandhowo) |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313353211_Political_Practice_and_Its_Implication_on_Folk_Art_Marginalization_Case_Study_of_Wayang_Orang_Human_Puppet_Ngesti_Pandhowo |journal=Harmonia Journal of Arts Research and Education |volume=16(2) |issue=163}} Elements such as its theatrical scenery, musical accompaniment, costumes, choreography, and stage effects have influenced other wayang orang groups.{{ref|Rinardi|c}}

The troupe has performed for President Sukarno. After the eruption of Mount Merapi in 1953, Ngesti Pandawa raised funds for the victims. President Sukarno invited Ngesti Pandawa to perform at the Istana Merdeka (Merdeka Palace) in Jakarta and the Istana Negara (State Palace) in Bogor. In 1962, Ngesti Pandawa received the Wijayakusuma Award from the President.{{cite web |title=Peraturan Presiden Nomor 26 Tahun 1960 |url=http://peraturan.go.id/perpres/nomor-26-tahun-1960-11e44c5015f94ad0a66f313232353537.html |accessdate=2017-05-18 |website=Peraturan.go.id}}

In 1994, the local government sold the GRIS complex. Ngesti Pandawa moved to the Taman Raden Saleh Cultural Complex for two years. In 1996 it moved to the Majapahit Amusement Park and formed the Wayang Orang Ngesti Pandawa Foundation. In 2001, the local government allowed Ngesti Pandawa to use a hall at the Taman Raden Saleh cultural complex, where it performs three days a week, with regular performances on Saturday evenings starting at 8 pm.{{cite web|url=https://radarsemarang.com/2017/01/28/pemprov-didesak-bantu-ngesti-pandawa/|title=Pemprov Didesak Bantu Ngesti Pandawa|date=28 January 2017|website=Radarsemarang.com|accessdate=2017-05-18}}

Wayang Orang Ngesti Pandawa continues to perform stories from its repertoire every Saturday evening. It uses social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as its website, to connect with the community and tourists.{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/pemerintahkotasemarang/reel/DA8TCtXyi9v/ |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=www.instagram.com}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.facebook.com/humaskotasemarang/videos/1034641398102353/ |title=Pagelaran Wayang Orang & Penyerahan Award Karya Budaya Wayang orang Ngesti Pandawa Wali Kota Semarang Hevearita Gunaryanti Rahayu menghadiri Pagelaran... {{!}} By Humas Pemkot Semarang {{!}} Facebook |language=en |access-date=2025-02-16 |via=www.facebook.com}}

In addition to its regular performances in Semarang, Ngesti Pandawa has also performed in cities such as Sukoharjo, Jepara, Solo, and Jakarta.{{cite web |title=Hari Tani, Ngesti Pandawa Pentas "Boyongan" ke Sukoharjo | SuaraMerdeka.com |url=http://berita.suaramerdeka.com/hari-tani-ngesti-pandawa-pentas-boyongan-ke-sukoharjo/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416125259/http://berita.suaramerdeka.com/hari-tani-ngesti-pandawa-pentas-boyongan-ke-sukoharjo/ |archivedate=2017-04-16 |accessdate=2017-04-21}}{{cite web |date=8 September 2014 |title=Bupati Jepara Sambut Positif RTH Kreatif - Kabar Berita Jepara Terkini |url=http://www.jeparahariini.com/pemerintahan/bupati-jepara-sambut-positif-rth-kreatif/ |accessdate=2017-05-18 |website=Jeparahariini.com}}{{cite web |title=Primadona Ngesti Pandawa Tampil Memikat di WOSBI | SuaraMerdeka.com |url=http://berita.suaramerdeka.com/primadona-ngesti-pandawa-tampil-memikat-di-wosbi/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416051447/http://berita.suaramerdeka.com/primadona-ngesti-pandawa-tampil-memikat-di-wosbi/ |archivedate=2017-04-16 |accessdate=2017-04-21}} The group also performs for students and institutions to introduce wayang orang to wider audiences.{{cite web |title=Ditonton Ratusan Pelajar, Ngesti Pandawa Pentas Maraton | SuaraMerdeka.com |url=http://berita.suaramerdeka.com/ditonton-ratusan-pelajar-ngesti-pandawa-pentas-maraton/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416125358/http://berita.suaramerdeka.com/ditonton-ratusan-pelajar-ngesti-pandawa-pentas-maraton/ |archivedate=2017-04-16 |accessdate=2017-04-21}}

Masdiana Safitri, head of Semarang City's Culture and Tourism Office, has pledged to renovate the Ngesti Pandawa venue to enhance its condition for visitors.

:a. {{Note|Rusdi}} Rustopo, 2007

:b. {{Note|Mumpuni}} Mumpuni, 1986

:c. {{Note|Rinardi}} Rinardi, 2002

:d. {{Note|Moehadi}} Moehadi, 1987

{{Reflist}}

• [http://eprints.undip.ac.id/21510/ Perkumpulan Wayang Orang Ngesti Pandowo (1937-2001): Studi Tentang Manajemen Seni Pertunjukan]
• [http://kebudayaan.kemdikbud.go.id/bpnbyogyakarta/2016/12/29/wayang-orang-ngesti-pandowo-2001-2015-kajian-tentang-manajemen-seni-pertunjukan/ Wayang Orang Ngesti Pandowo 2001-2015: Kajian tentang Manajemen Senin Pertunjukan]
• [http://lib.unnes.ac.id/3650/ Pola Pewarisan Pemain Wanita Wayang Orang Ngesti Pandawa Semarang]

{{Commons category|Wayang wong}}

Category:Dance in Indonesia

Category:Wayang