Matah Ati, True Love Story of the 18th Century War in Modern Dance

Love and admiration in the midst of war, a young girl from the village of Matah, Rubiyah succumbs to her determination to accept a proposal from a fearless warrior who courageously leads his armies to victory against the injustices of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) who colonized the kingdom. During mid-18th century Java, massive unrest and rebellions for freedom against the VOC was led by a knight from Surakarta, Raden Mas Said, also known as Pangeran Samber Nyowo.

Behind the idea, concept and script of ‘Matah Ati’ is Bandoro Raden Ayu (BRAy) Atilah Soeryadjaya. Growing up within the Mangkunegaran Palace, BRAy Atilah spent her childhood days in an environment so rich in Javanese tradition and culture. This fueled her concern and passion to preserve the Javanese culture.

Matah Ati involves as many as 150 professional artists including the country’s best creative production team to create a performance of traditional dances in a modern production.

All the choreographers and dancers are professionals in the field of arts with undergraduate, graduate and even PhD degrees from Solo’s Indonesian Institute for the Arts (Institut Seni Indonesia).

Before Solo, this colossal dance held in Jakarta and Singapura.