Art & Culture
Blantek
West Java Traditional Art Show from Bogor Region
In the region of Bogor there are several public theater art show. One of them is Blantek. Blantek which exists in the region of Bogor is included to the cluster of tipeuh art, that is why it is called Blantek mask.
The term Blantek in this art means mixed, unorganized, improper, or in the stage of learning. Beside that, there are some who said that Blantek is acronym from Blan and Tek. Blan derived from rebanan music which is used to go along with Blantek. Whereas, tek derived from kotek name of one of the rebana in the instrument of such art. Blantek in the meaning of unorganized, mixed, and improper is based on the assumption that such art in its show combining other art elements such as rebana, ketuk tilu, and topeng (mask). This form of art is not far from mask originated from Cisalak.
Both meaning of Blantek consist of several stages. The first stage is the recital of dzikir or praise which is accompanied by rebana biang in Islamic religious rituals in the region of Pondok Rajeg Ciseeng, Bojong Gedeh, Ciganjur, Bintaro, Sawangan, and Parung Bogor. Second stage is Blanggo dance or Betawi Pencak Silat and Gisauw (Pencak Cina). With the including of such Pencak elements has made Blantek art not only shown in Islamic rituals but also shown in other traditional occasions. Third stage is the entrance of topeng ronggeng with the purpose of increasing the interest to the show. Topeng (mask) which is included to this show is a replica of topeng Cisalak which only adapting the topeng ronggeng or topeng kembang. With the entrance of mask and dance elements, thus the songs become more variative. The fourth stage is the entrance of funny element which shows short and not whole roles.
With the addition of other elements as was said above into this art thus creating such creation, it can be said that people call the show as Blantek or Blantek Mask.
Blantek art these days is much influenced by POP art and dangdut. The entrance of POP music and dangdut not only in the form of songs only but also the musical instruments. Same thing happens with Jaipongan dance.
This art is still exist in the region of Parung Bogor, which is managed by the family of Mr. Kirpin. Time and place of Blantek mask show is the same with Cisalak mask show which is at night on the stage of balandongan. The difference is in the structure of the show. The structure of Blantek mask show is as the following:
- The recital of dzikir and praises
- Jiro music
- Balntek dance show
- Comedy show
In a whole, Blantek show can be arrange as the following:
Songs of praise and dzikir followed by rebana musical instrument. These songs use Arabic verses which contain praises to Alloh SWT and prophet Muhammad SAW.
Next is the show of gending jiro song. This song is song of praises which accompanied by Balntek dance musics. After singing jiro songs is done, it is continued by Blantek dance show, jali-jali, and lenggang kangkung. Beside that, ketuk tilu and kliningan songs are also shown including new creation songs. Nowadays, dangdut songs are also shown.
After that is the show of Blantek dance and ronggeng mask which movements come from badawa mask dance and ketuk tilu. As the climax of the show, come a comedy story. Stories which is oftenly shown are Prabu Zulkarnaen and Ngarah Barni.
Musical instruments which are used in the Blantek show are Rebana (Biang, Katek, and Kebuk), Kendang, Jihan/Rebab, Kecrek and Goong. Nowadays it is added by diantonical instruments such as melody guitar, bass, and keyboards. Source: Book of West Java Traditional Art Show
– Nana Munajat (Buku Seni Pertunjukan Tradisional Jawa Barat - Nana Munajat (www.sundanet.com)).