A Batak Opera Revival

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

First created in the 1920s, the Batak operaa people's theater specific to the North Sumatra regionenjoyed its highest popularity during the next 60 years, before its attraction declined, gradually fading altogether from the scene. Today, a group of artists grouped under the Batak Opera Training Community (PLOt) led by artist Thomson Hutasoit are determined to revive it. They removed the stigma of embarrassment surrounding this traditional performing art, spreading a 'Batak opera fever' among youths. From August to November this year, PLOt went on tour in North Sumatra, Jakarta and even in faraway Germany, to perform their newest production. A special report by Tempo English.

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Toba kept demonstrating his greed and waywardness. His behavior triggered the anger of his father, Samosir, whose lunch had been eaten by his son. Unable to control his emotions, the father broke a promise he had made. "You son of a fish!" Samosir shouted in his disappointment of Toba. Toba's mother, a beautiful woman, was immediately transformed back into her original form: that of a fish.

Samosir had previously pledged never to mention the word fi

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