DRAMA “TUKANG ASAHAN”: The Transformation of Sundanese Culture Chronology

Abstract

Transformation of Kasundaan (Sundaism) values in a performance is an effort to reintroduce local genius of old Sundanese society to the youth. The process of transformation of old Sundanese values in a drama script into a performance can make the understanding of local ideas in the society clearer.

“Tukang Asahan” (TA) performance by Teater Sunda Kiwari is chosen because it is distinnctive by presenting four forms of performance in periodization once lived in Sundanese society. Each period has their own text and context beside the staging of four forms of theatre: Medern theatre, Folk Theatre, Sundanese Plays, and Gending Karesmen with different  rules and characteristics.

Pavis method is applied to show Sundaism values transformed in the performance in the introduction of Sundanese logic, ethic, and aesthetic reflected in the story and the performance. The concepts about life viewpoints, tritangtu pattern, sineger tengah, and pancakaki (kinship) are introduced through the performance.

Key Words: Transformation, periodization, form of Sundanese theatre, Sundaism values.