Secret Alit

Dancers in the Empty Sanggar - Part 2

Yesterday, I failed to plan to tell my grandmother about the dancers I saw in the empty house. All because of Arlo who suddenly stopped by, and the grandmother who was so excited chatted with Arlo. But that's okay too, regarding the topic of conversation with Arlo and grandma is also exciting.

Maybe this afternoon I have time for a story with my grandmother. After school, I rushed home, just like yesterday. I went straight to the stop where I was waiting for public transport. But this time, Arlo wasn't seen waiting for me. I also feel relieved. It's not that I'm not happy that Arlo stopped by, but somehow, I think the story of the dancer is very important for me to tell my grandmother.

As soon as I set foot in the house, I immediately picked up the dishes, along with the rice and side dishes in the kitchen. I also took my grandmother with me to eat. I thought, the story would be more exciting if while eating delicious cuisine made by grandma.

"Miss, from yesterday Alit wanted to tell a lot. But it's delayed because it's too exciting to talk to Arlo" I said, chewing.

Then I started the story. First of all, I described the location of the mysterious house to Grandma.

"Sir, grandma knows the empty house of the former dance sanggar? Last night, Alit heard gamelan. So, Alit looked for the origin of the sound. Apparently, the sound came from the sanggar house. Ireng also followed Alit. Keep going, as if he was observing something in that house," I said.

"The house is locked. But Alit found a hole in his wall, so he could peek from there. Apparently, inside the room was very bright. From the beginning it looks dark!" I'm proceeding.

"In it, there was a middle-aged woman dancing. The woman had a beautiful and graceful face, Grandma. She was brown, capable, and had a scarf wrapped around her waist. Her hair was curled, huge, to the shoulders! I've never seen such a big hair loop," I told my grandmother excitedly.

Grandma answered Alit with a memory story in her past. The woman portrayed by Alit reminds the grandmother of someone she once knew in her youth. Her name is Maryam's mother. She was a woman who died not too old. He still looks fresh and healthy.

Maryam's mother had a hobby of dancing, although with limited equipment. Gamelan is not easy to get and is very expensive. Meanwhile, electronic devices are also not as sophisticated as they are now. In those days, instead of using electricity like during the inj, people used car accu to turn on the radio or tape recorder.

Maryam's mother had two daughters and one eldest son. His age and grandmother were not so far adrift, so they could be close friends.

In the afternoon, they practiced dancing with Miss Maryam's mother. She also learned to dance from her family. Maryam's mother loves Javanese dancing. She can dance beautifully. While dancing, Maryam's mother always explained every detail of her movements, such as mendhak, ukel, and seblak. He always gave an example of the movement and its meaning, so that the dance movement seemed to have a soul.

Maryam's mother knew some famous dancers at that time. Therefore, the grandmother and the two daughters of Miss Maryam had been out of town several times to watch the stage dancers on stage. The stage is very good. Colorful light makes the stage more beautiful. It is very different from home training. There is an interesting experience when watching or dancing on stage.

On stage, dancers use equipment for wayang wong performers, such as shields, wooden swords, or spears. Thanks to watching the dance stage often, the grandmother knew about the stage decoration for the dance, as well as the technique of portraying the background to give the atmosphere in the forest, or the sea. Grandma also used to meet with the players and see them up close. Every night, wayang wong players always fail to amaze the audience thanks to his role as the characters in the epic wayang.

However, behind the glittering dance stage that amazed many people, it turns out their lives are very worrying. The dancers are people who are loyal to their profession, although income as dancers is not enough to sustain their daily lives.

Among the dancers, some work odd jobs during the day. There are also those who are seen being beberes and there are also reading the script for the afternoon stage. They live backstage. Grandma did not expect, the slum-dropped residence was the residence of wayang wong players who every night amazed the audience. Therefore, grandma was always eager to watch and fully support the dancers at that time.

The wayang wong dancers also know Mother Maryam as a good person and painstaking in taking care of her family. Let alone his family, the dancers were also often helped by him!

Grandma still remembers Maryam's mother's house. There was a large room in the house that was often used as a dance practice. If there are guests, they usually sit in a room close to the kitchen. You could say, the house is always crowded guests because Maryam's mother likes to help others.

In the kitchen of his house, there is a long table equipped with four chairs without a backrest. The kitchen is an open space, so it is very comfortable and a favorite place for children. Every day, the kitchen space is always used to sit around while enjoying food or drinks.

The story about the dancer I saw on the night two days ago reminds me of Maryam's mother. Miss Maryam's long hair is also often big. The dance moves are very gleaming to the rhythm. Many are reluctant to Miss Maryam because of her aura that so radiates with grace.

However, grandma also did not know for sure, what I saw that night was Miss Maryam? My grandmother and I could not answer who the woman was. Clearly, thanks to my story, my grandmother remembered her childhood friend. Grandma seemed happy to tell me the stories of Ms. Maryam's kindness.

While telling a story, Grandma asked me to make risoles in the kitchen. I also helped her prepare ingredients, namely wheat, butter, liquid milk, eggs, carrots and bread flour and cooking oil, while listening to the stories of the colorful grandmother's youth.