Indonesian culture is similar to India from the ancient period and still, they preserve it. Despite Pandemic last year, Consul General of Indonesia in Mumbai His Excellency, Agus Prihatin Saptono ensured that virtual live performances of the important epic are shown to Indian Public. So, Consul General organised a virtual Ballet of Ramayan and Mahabharata. The shows were presented live in Indonesia. CG was successful in attracting millions of viewers to these shows. Keeping the trend alive, this year too he is organising live virtual performance “Gana Kalajaya” which is devoted to Lord Ganesha (Elephant God). The Lord Ganesha is of prominence importance to every Indian household, where every pooja begins with Lord Ganesha’s prayers. As CG Agus Prihatin Saptono is based in Mumbai, he has seen the prominence of Ganesh Chaturthi’s ten days celebration and immersion with big merriment. He was impressed with the Ganpati celebration in Mumbai and Maharashtra with such a great devotion; he is bringing this live virtual performance on 25th, September which can be viewed live.
His Excellency Agus Prihatin Saptono, Consul General of Mumbai in live Zoom Interview with Mewati Sitaram, Editor in Chief – Mumbai Messenger Newspaper explained the importance of Gana Kalajaya, an excerpt from the interview.
What is the purpose of this event?
The event is a continuous effort to promote Indonesia’s tourism destinations to the people of India and the world while exploring similarities and uniqueness of the cultural heritage of Indonesia and India. We share the same platform from the ancient period and we are continuously following it in bringing to people of both countries.
How did this concept come into your mind?
Exploring cultural similarities between Indonesia and India, the concept emerged during a discussion on cultural activities between the Consulate and the Palace of Yogyakarta in Indonesia. The main aim was to hold a virtual cultural performance in the month of September as a part of the celebration the 76th Independence Day celebration of Indonesia. It emerged in my mind that in Mumbai and Maharashtra including the entire nation, Ganesha Festival is celebrated, the idea co-related and came into existence. In fact, Lord Ganesha is also respected by Hindus and Buddhists in Indonesia since ancient times.
What is the importance of The Palace of Yogyakarta? The Palace of Yogyakarta is globally famous for owning and creating several Ballets like Ramayana and Mahabharata in the Javanese Traditional Ballet version and many more. Similarly, one of its famous ballets is known as Gana Kalajaya. The Gana Kalajaya ballet is a classic story of Bathara Gana/Ganesha in Indonesian version. It shows the birth of Bathara Gana, his glory, and deification in Javanese pantheons as the God of knowledge. It is worth mentioning that Gana Kalajaya’s virtual performance is specially commissioned by His Majesty Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana X of Yogyakarta, to be performed in the month of September in conjunction with the Ganesha Festival in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Culturally Indonesia seems more closer to India thus such an event showcases Indonesia as a tourist destination?
Indeed yes, there are many things in Indonesia that are similar to India. These resemblances include numerous artistic cultural heritages, cloth motif and many other, that looks similar to India. The close cultural relationship might have happened because of people to people contact between the two countries since many years ago, it plays a significant role in this context. In Bali, the same Hindu religion becomes one of the examples which are a classic paradigm. I am very much optimistic that cultural similarities hopefully would motivate Indian visitors to visit Indonesia in the future.
Will you be organising such events frequently to attract Indian visitors?
Yes, we have several plans to showcase Indonesian cultural activities to the Indian public which would be certainly liked by everyone. We will definitely do cultural activities and waiting for the Pandemic to vanish soon.
How about Government to Government collaboration for promoting Indonesia Heritage destination as the present government positively looks into such collaborations?
The cultural performances bring people from both countries very closely when they witness similarities. The Gana Kalajaya is part of our efforts to encourage collaboration of Government to Government in promoting the heritage. Indonesia’s previous performances which were organised by the Indonesian Consulate of Mumbai, namely Ramayana and Mahabharata was well appreciated. These were viewed by millions of people from both countries, which is a great example to be looked into in this context.
What are the Future Plans attracting Indian visitors to Indonesia?
We have several plans to attract Indian visitors to Indonesia. We are planning tourism promotions like roadshows and culinary promotions in various parts of India including the Commercial capital, Mumbai. We are contemplating several plans to attract Indian tourists who are globally known as high spenders in tourism.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
