Ben Hutabarat is a resident of Batak descent who settled in Australia with a rich background in the music and creative industries for over 20 years.
Ben was one of the pioneers and conceptual initiators of the art show “Jelma” to be staged at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
In a conversation with SBS Indonesian, Ben explained that he not only plays behind the scenes as a technical stylist (sound and light), but also performs playing keyboard instruments.
The performance “Jelma” raised West Javanese folklore, Lutung Kasarung, as its main backdrop.
This folk tale was chosen as the backdrop for this JELMA show because of the moral values contained therein, such as self-transformation (repentance), humility, and the triumph of good.
Intensive preparations were carried out from late January to February after being briefly delayed due to Ben's health problems the previous year.
This production is a cross-cultural collaboration involving local and international musicians, and in collaboration with the gamelan group Suwitra Jaya from UNSW, and Sisca Purwadireja Haskew as the featured dancer.
Although rooted in Sundanese tradition, the music in “Jelma” is packaged in a contemporary manner by blending elements of Balinese gamelan, keyboards, as well as popular folk songs such as Bubuy Bulan.
The staging is scheduled to coincide with Harmony Week celebrations in March, which is in tune with the spirit of multiculturalism in Australia.
Although Lutung Kasarung's story originated in Indonesia, the production process itself reflects diversity as it involves teams from different cultural backgrounds.
The university and a number of officials gave their full support as the event was considered to strengthen bilateral relations and cultural exchanges.
Through “Jelma”, Ben hopes to introduce Indonesia's cultural richness to the international community and inspire the younger generation to love the ancestral heritage more.
If it gets a positive response, this will open up opportunities to bring this show to a bigger stage at arts festivals in major Australian cities.
