M. Soedarsono is an art and cultural history professor at Gajah Mada University. He is widely known for his works in choreography and published books. His steps in the field of art and history, both theoretically and practically, have been outlined in a book published by UGM Press with the title Autobiography of R. M. Soedarsono Pioneer and Developer of Performing Arts Education in Indonesia – From Yogyakarta Worldwide for Indonesia.
As a form of highest appreciation for R. M. Soedarsono’s dedication, BPP UGM and UGM Press held an online book launching and review event on May 4, 2021. The Dean of FIB UGM—Prof. In his speech, Dr. Wening Udasmoro, M.Hum. said that the publication of this book is essential for further understanding of performing arts in Indonesia, especially for those who have a concentration in the performing arts field. Head of BPP UGM—Prof. Widodo, M.Sc., Ph.D.— in his speech hoped that the publication of this book could be an inspiration for the younger generation in developing dance and performing arts in Indonesia.
Not only his dedication to the fields of history, art, and performance, the figure of R. M. Soedarsono is also a very inspiring person. The story of his life struggles to get an education to become one of the influential Indonesian performing arts deserves to inspire the younger generation. Ir. As the manuscript editor, R.A. Laksmi Widyawati, M.Sc., is the daughter of R.M. Soedarsono. Ir. R.A. Laksmi Widyawati, M.Si. was present with her friend R. M. Soedarsono —Prof. Dr. I Made Bandem— as a guest speaker at the book review launching event. In the eyes of his family, R.M. Soedarsono is a person who is disciplined, honest, straightforward, hardworking, multitalented, humorous, assertive, and loves science very much. According to Prof. Dr. I Made Bandem, R.M. Soedarsono has four particular aspects in his life journey. First, the biological aspect of being born as a noble descendant made it easier for him to access science and art, resulting in a good personality and a powerful love of culture. In addition, the figure of R.M. Soedarsono also formed the psychological aspect from his life experience of studying both at home and abroad. These two aspects are then supported by the institution’s history and its extraordinary works.
R. M. Soedarsono’s autobiographical book consists of 9 chapters that tell the story of Soedarsono the Village Boy until he won an international award in Fukuoka in 1998. Present as a book reviewer, Prof. Timbul Haryono and Dr. Drs. R.M. Pramutomo, M. Hum. Prof. Timbul Haryono likened the figure of R.M. Soedarsono as a formidable sailor in the middle of a vast ocean with intense winds and big waves. The formation of R.M. Soedarsono left the tusks and gave birth to many elephants (guided by him). Dr. Drs. R.M. Pramutomo, M.Hum said that this book became a legacy on the values of struggle, humanity, and the importance of R.M. Soedarsono, who is simple. Guided by Dr. Gabriel Roosmargo Lono Lastoro Simatupang, M.A. as moderator, R. M. Soedarsono’s life journey from childhood to death is told like a beautiful and inspiring fairy tale.
The event, which took place online through the ZOOM platform, was attended by more than 250 participants, most of whom were academics, students, and performing arts activists from various art institutes and schools in Indonesia. Due to the high enthusiasm of the participants, this event was also broadcast on the Youtube channel of UGM Yogyakarta. The event ended with a question-and-answer session and closed with door prizes as the last series of events to 5 participants who asked the best questions in the comments column and responded to questions provided by the resource persons and book reviewers. They each received a book Autobiography R. M. Soedarsono Pioneers and Developers of Performing Arts Education in Indonesia – From Yogyakarta Worldwide for Indonesia from UGM Press. [Kiki&Irwan]