Peer Review : Teater Kitsch Ngesti Pandowo di Kota Semarang Tahun 1950-an - 1970an.

Abstract

Ngesti Pandowo, founded in Madiun in 1937, is one of the few human puppet theatrical groups performance that able to survive until today. After making performances in various cities in East and Central Java, since 1954 this group settled in Semarang and entered a period of its glory until 1970s. This article discusses about the gait of Ngesti Pandowo, and its successful factors of 1950 to 1970. This article based on research conducted using the historical method and oral history. The results showed that in 1950 to1970, Ngesti Pandowo as a perfect kitsch theater able to pack the puppet show with high-quality, innovative, and full spectacle. The achievement made this group awarded “Wijaya Kusuma” by the President of the Republic of Indonesia and they got a chance of performed at the state palace and recording in the vinyl recorded format in P.N. Lokananta and Irama Records. Ngesti Pandowo also had achievements as one of the best of human puppet groups on a national level and participate in cultural trips to various countries in Asia. All that made Ngesti Pandowo became the icon of Semarang. The success of Ngesti Pandowo in achieving its glory influenced by a number of factors, namely the artist-creator, the qualified dancers and became the idol of the crowd, the appropriate leadership style to the character of this group as the community and local government supports. Keywords: human shadow puppets, kitsch, Ngesti Pandowo, Semarang