Mangga Indramayu

Mimi Rasinah is a “Topeng Indramayu” dancer . Her name has been included into maestro category. This 80 years woman, has shown her dedication to the traditional arts. She not only danced with masks that always changing in her face. But, she also spread the inspiration for other people to love Topeng Indramayu Dancing .

Rasinah born in the village Pekandangan, Indramayu, West Java. Her both parents are also artists. She has been taught to dance since child with the rules “mystical” knowledge. And she was show on traditional ceremonial stage.

Childhood and adolescent Rasinah just dance. Fluctuation young Rasinah is just dancing, complete with Javanese instrumental sound. So, outside the Topeng Indramayu dance, she was nothing. As Gambang Kromong singer, Masnah, she was reflecting “puppet children” who throughout his life is given to the stage and audience. She certainly did not know anything else in the world outside it.

Rasinah fortitude to continue on the track is not always run smoothly. – dan seniman tradisional pada umumnya – terkena imbas besar. Changing of public taste from traditional art to modern art make Rasinah and another traditional artists in general is exposed to large affect. They lost their stages, land to express their arts, and of course, living!

Difficult times such as that felt by Rasinah correct. Especially after my father and mother died. She was the only one. So, he should hang up his life on the husband. He nearly did not have the opportunity to dance. Because there is no more invites.

In loneliness and detached, she only lives in the hand, the Almighty. She does not dare to count her destiny in the future. Because, she realized that she is just a traditional artist, plus with a limited ability. She was also can’t find another job. So, she was only dancing in her house alone. Sometimes, she danced accompanied grandchildren, Aerli. And, with the rest of the drum, saron, and gong, from her father, she is also trying to teach her grandchildren, Edi. At that time, she tried to share her art ability to both grandchildren.

So she still has a passion for dancing with teaching them. She only has one intention, to the bitter life can be fun with a share-for the people nearby. Dancing Topeng Indramayu is the only her treasure trove of assets. So, she only can endowed that to the offspring.

Building of the spirit to survive and to share, and the submission to submit everything to The Almighty God, will get happiness. Determination and perseverance to continue to produce modestly arts get attention from the others. She believes that people who suddenly care herself and Topeng Indramayu is the hands of God. The reflection of enamored and humane.

Interest among observers of art, which is committed revitalize arts Dance Topeng Indramayu also spread benefit to Rasinah. He also requested for dancing in various places. Not only on stage hajatan in the villages. But, also including a-boards in the buildings in the city of the arts, in and outside the country. Incredible!

Hut that was nearly never fall apart because of attention, he slowly got up again. Even, she also successfully built a simple studio in one corner of the house. Her practice friends was not only Aerli, grandchildren. However, other children also came to ask the “treasure trove” that she has. Along with that, inviting to dance was never stopped again.

Thus, the Rasinah by students called Mimi (grandmother) was found a glory on her latest day. She can smile when happy believes that deepens firmness Topeng Indramayu Dancing make great harvest. She was happy to laugh at the seriousness grateful that oversee traditional art is to provide unlimited benefits. So, she can forget the bitterness and obstacles during the strike on her struggle for art.

We can say what happens to the Mimi Rasinah because of forced. She was forced to endure poverty as a traditional artist, because she does not have the ability to others. He continued stay dancing Topeng Indramayu because there are no other options. That opinion is not wrong. Not wrong at all.

But, the facts also speak, with the poverty and destitution that she would continue dancing. Tough she does not get the call again and have a permanent stage. She only dance for herself and on the “stage” is very narrow in in her hut. He also danced while sharing art feel on the nearest person. That way it is a sign to maintain the seriousness of life and continue to share.

Rasinah like spray grass. Grass not blame poverty, destitution, and the fact itself, which is located below. She continued spirited, serious, and courageous, to start filling the morning. Even, with very simple stage, she continued to dance.And, with the love-sorrow, green color was spread to the surrounding. She survived and gave. Deepest love for teaching, which is no longer thinking about the existence of the self and rewarded for spread love itself.

Rasinah conducted at the issues of falling to her life without stopping, she is surrender to the God. Lament, sorrow, despair, apathetic to life, it will only sort survive the spirit of sincerity and giving. So, without the proclamation and the announcement of excess, he is showing his resurrection as the caliph. Without thinking about the world Hijrah substance which is often expressed by The Sufi, he would have to do with Istiqomah.

The resurrection itself is not synonymous with escape encirclement on the problem or career. However, “private with light” is the choice of life. Anyone can live with the choice respectively. somehow continue the spirit of the dream, desire, aspiration, and ambition, to achieve earthly happiness. Or, try reaching the target in the other happiness.

That, Rasinah shown an interest of live, to select another option. A target, which can be, is not common and are not popular. But, if it can calm mind, and able to generate enthusiasm, sincerity, diligence, and perseverance, to find life itself, and enjoy the full victory.

At her age now, Rasinah no longer can move her hands, step her feet, and put a mask on her face. In fact, the heart attack make her always vise-versa to hospital. Tragic, because of no funds, the family wishes to sell the masks. The only power that she still has, in the middle of her illnes, she always watching her students to learn dancing.

“What makes us compassionate and the most impressive, she ever said that she will die on the stage,” said one of her grandchildren Edi Suryadi in the documentary film “Dua Perepuan” production Matahati Productions, 2007, that the story about Rasinah and Masnah, Gambang Kromong leading.