ACTRESS Dian Sastrowardoyo, 42, some time ago, succeeded in popularizing the kebaya through her role in the series Kretek Girl.
In a podcast with the Director General of Culture of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Hilmar Farid, recently, Dian hoped that the use of kebaya would not become a temporary trend because of the Kretek Girl series. Moreover, currently, he said, the use of kebaya is only limited to certain celebrations.
In fact, said Dian, the identity of the Indonesian nation is closely tied to this particular piece of clothing. In the past, wearing a kebaya was a symbol of struggle and resistance against colonialism.
“I (a woman of that era) rejected westernization when the Dutch brainwashed us into wearing skirts, shirts and jackets. “Women who still insist on wearing kebaya are a form of resistance against the colonialists,” said the mother of two, quoted from Hilmar Farid’s YouTube channel, Monday (15/4).
When the urgency of the struggle was no longer there, Dian considered the kebaya to be a marker of social class, when many upper class people wore it for big celebrations, with a bun and high heels.
In fact, he gave an example, in India, members of parliament wear the typical sari to work. In Japan, people wear kimonos to go to the office.
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“Why are our members of parliament not older here? “Only (used) on Independence Day,” said Dian.
The actor who plays Cinta in the film Ada Apa dengan Cinta wants to change the paradigm that the kebaya is not clothing that shows status and is only worn for luxury.
“Can we wear the kebaya for going to work? “So just substitute our shirts and office clothes,” he said.
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“The reason is as simple as because we are Indonesian, these are our clothes. If we can afford to go to work, I think our level of sense of identity as a nation is different, I’m Indonesian. “We are a really cool nation,” he added.
Dian was happy when the Kretek Girl series succeeded in making kebaya boom, especially janggan kebaya. However, unfortunately, he saw that the kebaya was worn in the context of wanting to show that someone had the budget to wear a kebaya with lots of jewelry, with heavy make-up, a bun and high heels.
“Is there anyone who uses it every day? “It’s not for hanging out, it’s not for taking photos, it’s just because I wear it, this is my clothes for activities, going to the market, picking up children from school, going to work, in everyday life,” he said.
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Dian also challenged herself to wear a kebaya in her routine activities, such as when teaching at the University of Indonesia.
“It needs a process, it needs a habit. From kebaya, then use cloth (for everyday use). “It turns out it’s not difficult,” he said.
Dian also expressed her admiration for the current generation who are proud to show their Indonesian identity through the use of traditional clothing.
He said, currently, new Gen Z generations have grown up who are more attached to Indonesian culture.
“They have pride in clothing and culture. There are Indonesian teenagers. That’s really cool. “I’m happy that they can make literature a symbol that you are cultured and you are well educated, at least you understand more about your culture and that is considered cool,” he said.
“I think that from grassroots movements like that, organic movements like that should emerge,” he concluded. (Z-1)
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