Sunday, February 14, 2010, Valentine and Chinese New Year were luckily on the same day ! Cheerfuly faces everywhere.....On the same day at 20.00 pm, in a small village about 20km south of Malang, Kedung Ombo, Pakisaji, villagers were on a deep mourning, every body was crying.. One of the villager, Karimoen, 110 years old mask-artist has died. Karimoen was not only belongs to Kedung Ombo, but also Indonesia.
Karimoen or more populer with " Mbah Moen " was an extra-ordinary and modest personality who dedicated every single drop of his blood to glorify the Malang-mask-art both the mask-dance and the mask-carving including its philosophy.
He spent the whole of his life to introduce and develop mask-dancing and carving in his own style. We can say Kedung Monggo style, Karimoen style. His unbreakable spirit to develop this mask-art was admirable , even when he must stayed in wheel-chair and bed since 1995 after the unexpected accident. His hard-working in mask-art had won a special-award from Indonesian government in 2009 and also MURI.
In fact, Malang actually also has another mask-village, where we can found several great mask-artists like : mbah Rasimun ( alm ), mbah Jakimin, mbah Gimun and Soetrisno. But still, Karimoen remained as an unique artist among them. His charisma in performing Klono Dance for example, was always the outstanding one. Also his magnificence talent in mask-carving and " ngendang " ( a Javanese music instrument to accompany people to dance ) .
Karimoen was buried down by the small river and shady valley in Karangpandan, Pakisaji, Malang, East Java. A very green and peaceful area. His dreams should be maintained and developed by his children, grandchildren, students and everybody who love traditional-art, no matter if you are black or white... His totaly dedication towards the tradition, culture and art should inspired everybody to do the same to keep the world always in its beautiful spirit and peace .
May GOD give mbah Moen the best stage to perform his eternally mask-dance. Amen.
( Photos and Indonesia-version of this article can be seen on the same blog ) :
01. The burial of mbah Moen ( taken from : Foto Antara/Ari BowoSucipto/Koz/mes/10 )
02. Mak Yam, Siti Mariam, Karimoen's second and last wife, whom Karimoen married since 1986, with her longblack hair
( Photos by : TH )
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