‘Hayati: Pangi Searching for the Essence of Love’ debuts at Katara venue

‘HAYTI: Panji Searching for the Essence of Love’ debuted at the Katara Opera House on Monday, presented by the Years of Culture initiative and the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, Research, and Technology to mark the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture. The opening night was attended by Qatar Museums Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Director General of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Dr Hilmar Farid, Indonesia’s Ambassador to Qatar HE Ridwan Hassan and other dignitaries.

Created for Qatar-Indonesia 2023 by Rama Soeprapto and his production company, “Hayati: Panji Searching for the Essence of Love” follows the hero’s search for the meaning of life through various trials in the hopes of understanding the nature of human goodness. Acclaimed Indonesian performers Achmad Dipoyono and Kadek Dewi Aryani star as main characters Panji and Sekartaji respectively.

HE Ridwan Hassan said, “Hayati: Panji Searching for the Essence of Love goes in search of life’s meaning to find it in service to others, a beautiful thread that weaves us all together in today’s interconnected global community. I am proud to share this specially commissioned performance with the people of Qatar as part of the Qatar-Indonesia 2023 Year of Culture.”

Aisha Ghanem Al Attiya, Director of Cultural Diplomacy for Qatar Museums, said, “Hayati: Panji Searching for the Essence of Love” is one of this Year of Culture’s principal events. We are grateful to the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture, Research, and Technology and the cast and crew for the passion that went into creating this masterpiece.”

“Hayati” means living, which encompasses a person’s journey through trials in the ultimate search for peace and love that enable deeper appreciation of life itself. The Panji and Sekartaji stories fuse Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage to create a tale that has taught that lesson for generations. Originating in the East Javanese courts of the Kediri and Janggala Kingdoms during the 12th century, the stories of Panji and Sekartaji were later adapted and transformed in other parts of Indonesia and the wider region.

These stories were traditionally performed as wayang (shadow puppet) plays, which were accompanied by Javanese gamelan music. Today, the central character is portrayed using different masks throughout the performance.

The play’s musical concept seeks to transport the audience to the Majapahit era (13th–16th centuries AD), the height of artistic expression in ancient Indonesia, by combining traditional Javanese and Balinese ensemble music. Director Rama Soeprapto said, “There have been so many versions of Panji and Sekartaji and their story over the centuries. I wanted to create a simpler version with “Hayati: Panji Searching for the Essence of Love” that audiences can understand and connect with. It has been a welcome challenge.”