TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Semarang State University (UNS) initiated a singing competition for Javanese traditional singers (sinden). The event entitled ‘Sinden Idol’ is aimed to promote sinden regeneration amid the competition of global art and culture.

“Sinden Idol will be made into biennial event,” said Secretary of Sinden Idol Organizer, Suseno during the “Sinden Idol Final Night” at the Ghradhika Bhakti Praja Building, Semarang.

“Nowadays, young generations have less interest to learn to be a sinden. Therefore we want to encourage the youth to learn to be a sinden. To become a sinden is not easy, one must master articulation and et cetera.”

According to Suseno, there were only 10 out of 50 registered participants left after few stages of selections. The selected participants were then divided into two categories teenagers and adults.

The participants came from various backgrounds and regions in Central Java. Teenagers category is for participants aged between 13 to 22 years old while Adults category is for participants aged between 23 to 35 years old. There is no other special requirements to participate in the competition.

On the final night on Thursday, Suci Ofiita Dewi (21 years-old), a student of Indonesian Institute of Art (ISI) Surakarta, was crowned as the number one winner for teenager category. Whereas Dhesi Purnawani (24 years old) won the Adult category.

The first-place winners brought home Rp20 million money prize each while the second and third-place winners each won Rp15 million and Rp10 million, respectively.

ANTARA NEWS