Me and Cak kartolo

Not an alcoholic, neither a workaholic. Not only a Nidjiholic, but I’m also a Kartoloholic! :D Yes, that’s a term mentioned by Galih, a friend of mine, right after watching Kartolo CS (Kartolo and Friends) last Saturday night, live at Engineering Faculty, University of Brawijaya, to define a person "addicted" to watch or listen to Kartolo’s play, just like each of us emoticon. Only one word can describe how their performance was: HILARIOUS!! emoticon

Cak Kartolo

I would love to say that this Kartolo –Friendlily called as Cak1) Kartolo– is a living legend. He is a senior (born on 1945) comedian.  He’s a legendary East Javanese artist of ludruk –an East Javanese art of drama. He has been performing since 1960. Later then, started in 1980, along with his colleague, Cak Sapari, Kastini –friendlily called as Ning2) Tini–, Basman, Munawar, and Sokran, he played as a solid group of ludruk. Until 1995 they have recorded 95 cassettes.

One of the Records: Kaul Ngedukno Lemah

Now only three people remain the main members, as Basman, Munawar, and Sokran died. However, they keep performing, either on stage or on mass media, to keep the East Javanese culture –mainly ludruk– last.

Kartolo CS

Long live Kartolo and Friends, long live ludruk, long live East Javanese culture! ;)

 

1) Cak is a term to call an older brother in East Java.
2) Ning is a term to call an older sister in East Java.

Source: JawaPos’ Evergreen, August 27th, 2008
Pictures taken from Fariz’s private collection, www.jawapos.co.id, and http://profiles.friendster.com/kartolocs with proper editing.