Interview: BUNGA PENUTUP ABAD's Happy Salma talks about Nyai Ontosoroh and Her Love For Local Literature
By: Yuliani Supandji Sep. 26, 2016
Born in January 4, 1980, Happy Salma is an Indonesian actress, model, and writer. Originally working as a model, she later acted in numerous films and theatre productions.
"For me, there is no difference regarding the popularity as screen and stage actress. Only the medium".
Her previous production, BUNGA PENUTUP ABAD, is the one that she initiated, later casted and produced under Titimangsa Foundation that she established.
"I care about literature, especially the rich literature from Indonesia that almost gone into time. One way to revive this almost forgotten literary heritage is by theatre play".
Asked about her decision to include some big names in Indonesia's entertainment business, besides strategy, she said that they are also have big dedication to their role itself.
"They are all on board to rehearse even under pressure and processing through all in the name of teamwork, because the main key of creative process is about collective work"
Actually BUNGA PENUTUP ABAD isn't her first time playing Nyai Ontosoroh. First introduced in the novel of Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Nyai Ontosoroh is a role in the book Bumi Manusia and Anak Semua Bangsa. Nyai Ontosoroh viewed as a mistress who rise to the top, fight for her own rights and strengthen her wisdom.
"Nyai Ontosoroh always have the big portion of memorizing, with unedited version of Toer's beautiful writing. My tendency after the show (playing Ontosoroh) is back to zero, so I will need to memorize every Ontosoroh's line again and again. The quartet-role play here also a challenge- combined with collosal background, intensive dialogue and dynamic blockings"
In the near future, she hopes that the production runs well, smooth and gives enlightenment for local theatre industry.
"Furthermore, I will take a short break for family time, then continue to plan many programs until next year like producing more stage shows (where I'm not playing) and wait for creative processes' surprises and work with emerging inspirative, talented people".
Salma's theatre credits including Nyai Ontosoroh (2007), monologue play "Ronggeng Dukuh Paruk" (2009), Wayang Performance "Jabang Tetuko (2010), monologue play Inggit Garnasih (2011), 'Roro Mendut' (2012), and monologue play revival of Inggit Garnasih (2014) where this grand play also invites Contemporary Dance Studio Titik Dua, Gamelan Sunda Mustika Inggit, and UPI Chorus, and Bunga Penutup Abad (2016). In October 1, Salma will narrate Soundwave in Paradise 2016: Peter Pan by Staccato Bali.
All photos from the Press Preview can be seen in here
Photo Credit: Albertus Raynaldi
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