Acclaimed Indonesian performers Achmad Dipoyono and Kadek Dewi Aryani starred as main characters Panji and Sekartaji respectively.
Doha, Qatar: Theatrical production “Hayti: Panji Searching for the Essence of Love” debuted at the Katara Opera House yesterday, presented by the Years of Culture initiative and the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, Research, and Technology to mark the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture.
The opening night was attended by Qatar Museums Chairperson H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; Director General of Culture, Indonesia, Dr. Hilmar Farid; Indonesia’s Ambassador to Qatar H E Ridwan Hassan and other dignitaries.
Created for Qatar-Indonesia 2023 by Rama Soeprapto and his production company, “Hayati: Panji Searching for the Essence of Love” follows the hero’s search for the meaning of life through various trials in the hopes of understanding the nature of human goodness. The stories of Panji and Sekartaji, some of the oldest and most treasured Indonesian epics, are considered part of the world’s intangible heritage by Unesco and were included in the Unesco Memory of the World Program in 2017.
Acclaimed Indonesian performers Achmad Dipoyono and Kadek Dewi Aryani star as main characters Panji and Sekartaji respectively.
Ambassador Hassan said, “Qatar and Indonesia share a lot when it comes to cultural heritage and its influence on our societies today, not least of which is the pride we have in our ancestors’ wisdom and teachings. “Hayati: Panji Searching for the Essence of Love” goes in search of life’s meaning to find it in service to others, a beautiful thread that weaves us all together in today’s interconnected global community. I am proud to share this specially commissioned performance with the people of Qatar as part of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture.”
Aisha Ghanem Al Attiya, Director of Cultural Diplomacy, Qatar Museums, said, “Hayati: Panji Searching for the Essence of Love” is one of this Year of Culture’s principal events. We are grateful to the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, Research, and Technology and the cast and crew for the passion that went into creating this masterpiece.”
“Hayati” means living, which encompasses a person’s journey through trials in the ultimate search for peace and love that enable deeper appreciation of life itself. The Panji and Sekartaji stories fuse Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage to create a tale that has taught that lesson for generations.
Producer Bayu Pontiagust explained that “Hayati: Panji Searching for the Essence of Love” is an original show, “What I am trying to visualise within the production is how to maintain its origins from the classic Javanese and Balinese tradition, while imbuing it with a modern touch through musical and visual elements. I want the audience to not only experience and understand the essence of the story, but also enjoy the choreography.”
