Ki Purbo Asmoro, "dhalang sanggit"* was invited by President SBY to perform at the Istana Negara on 7 August 2009, with his entire troupe, Mayangkara.

On Friday, 7 August, Ki Purbo Asmoro was invited by the President of Indonesia, Bp. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, to be the first dalang to ever perform at the Istana Negara since the days of Bung Karno. President SBY, along with his wife, lasted all the way to the VERY end, and appeared completely enraptured the entire performance, barely leaving their chairs once!

Ki Purbo performed lakon Sesaji Raja Suya for a group of 200 invited guests, and it was broadcast on a number of TV and radio stations. The performance was accompanied by his gamelan troupe from Solo, Mayangkara, and included simultaneous translation into English by Kitsie Emerson, for foreign dignitaries.

PEPADI Pusat (Persatuan Pedalangan Indonesia, national branch) was the organizing body behind the event, headed by Bp. Ekotjipto, SH.Another feature of the performance was the inauguaration/debut of President SBY's very own personal full gamelan and wayang set, which he only recently purchased.

PHOTO BELOW: At 04:00, after staying all night, Pres. SBY expresses his praise to Ki Purbo Asmoro, as the Dutch Ambassador looks on, who also lasted all night! A very different (and so clearly heart-felt) interaction, from the formal and polite one before the performance began...

(all Istana photos courtesy of PEPADI,Bp. Ekotjipto)

 
(all photos courtesy of PEPADI, Bp. Ekotjipto)