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Candra Laras, Hidden Diamond Print

(CANDRA LARAS; ART WORKSHOP IN KELURAHAN PANEMBAHAN, KECAMATAN KRATON)

Behind the dimlight balcony of a government's building, musical keroncong melody is vaguely heard. With six person in music instruments plus one singer, a calming musical composition was born. On the west side, fans of this kind of music which is a little amount are sit in a row. That's the situation we can see every Sunday night at 20.00-00.00 in Religious Court's balcony, Kelurahan Panembahan. This situation doesn't make its fanatic fans to stop their favorite ritual. The night cold air and mosquito's bite has been the friends of the artists who are almost in advanced age.

 

Candra Laras, that's the name of this little community. Candra, which means "moon" and Laras which means "rhyme" is an art community which lives the keroncong music that's still exists in Kelurahan Panembahan, at RW XVI to be exact. The history of this community can't be traced in detail, since it has a low and high situation; sometimes it works but sometimes it doesn't. This community usually starts to have a routine rehearsal on July-August; which is a preparation for the welcoming the Independence Day of Indonesia.

 

So far, this community members are only the advanced age men from RW XVI, though in fact the membership is open for people in general. Unfortunately, no one seem interested to join it yet; maybe because no one knows its existence, or because they just don't care about it. Meanwhile, the youngsters are more interested in joining the bands which people think more precious and modern. In spite of that, this condition doesn't decrease those advanced age poeple's spirit to maintain their favorit community's existence. This community has a leader; Mbah Guna who really loves this art.

 

That's a short description about a keroncong community; Candra Laras, which still trying hard to keep its light though it has a low times. We need to appreciate those advenced age people's effort and love in maintaining this community which they think as a place to unte their soul.