Gandrang Bulo, People's Artist Criticism

WHEN formal channel to express some problems or reprimand leaders is not available, people did not run out of ways. Through gandrang bulo people is talking. In order to leaders do not angry, critics of gandrang bulo done with jokes.

Gandrang bulo is a smart art. It is a kind of traditional theater that takes various themes and social issues. Sometimes, criticism of gandrang bulo is very hard. But it is packed in fresh jokes so invite spectators. 

The act carries funny characters, such as the idiot or a villager who dealt with lofty officer. The idiot and the villager are always successful pout the officials. How funny their gestures make spectators laugh derisively, even criticized. 

Gandrang bulo performance accompanied with traditional music that consists of bamboo stick beaten simultaneously, drum, and flute or traditional instruments. Players of gandrang bulo wear traditional clothing.

See gandrang bulo performance in Paroppo some time ago. The director takes dottor-dottoro (doctor) theme

A doctor spoke with patient who did not understand what doctor mind. Then the paramedics came to be translators. But he did not help the patient. The paramedics even exploit ignorance of patients. He translates the doctor words based on his own interests. 

When doctors ask for payment, the paramedics translate as doubled price. Of course patient bitch because the cost was too expensive. "Alle dokttoro pallabusu doi (Here take, greedy doctor)," he said. This story was criticizing high cost of medical treatment. 

According to the artists, the development of gandrang bulo consists of two phases. First phase was consisting of classical dance and music only. First phase developed in the kingdom era. Second phase of gandrang bulo built in 1942 in Japanese occupation era. In this second phase critical element was inserted. 

Gandrang bulo 1942 created so that artists can freely orbit their critics: 

Tahun 1942 na mandara I Tuan Nippon caddi mata
Na passadia bokong latama ri Camba
Kasirati memang tongi I Balanda bunrang mata
Nippon mandara na gudang na tunu pepe

(In 1942 Nippon lord slant-eyed landed 
prepare to enter the stock to Camba 
Indeed, the Netherlands blurred-eyed was presumptuous
Nippon landed why they burned warehouses)

This quote is dialog part of story in gandrang bulo 1942. When labor rest, gandrang bulo usually played. Some artists appear in front of other friends accompanied music. They mimic and attaint the Japan troops. 

Creation of gandrang bulo 1942 is not apart from social-political conditions at that time, the Japanese colonial period. Through gandrang bulo, all regret expressed. At that time gandrang bulo also serves as media to rise anti colonialism awareness.

Now, gandrang bulo is growing. Criticism object is now intended to official behavior. Uniquely, officials like gandrang bulo. This art is often invited to various events in government official. As more officers arrived, more glad gandrang bulo artists.

Source: 
Desantara Foundation
Rumah Kultura

Photos Source:
ukms.blogspot.com