Jakarta, October 14, 2025 – Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar appreciated the Wayang Drama (Drayang) mini showcase from Swargaloka at Galeri Indonesia Kaya, Jakarta. Deputy Minister Irene highlighted the importance of developing and marketing Indonesian musical theater, such as the production from Swargaloka, to a global audience.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, attended the mini showcase of the Wayang Drama (Drayang) by Swargaloka at Galeri Indonesia Kaya, Jakarta, on Tuesday (October 14, 2025).
"This musical theater based on Indonesian culture and performed by Swargaloka is extraordinary and a must-see for the entire world. We can use culture as a tool for diplomacy between countries, enabling the performing arts market to expand globally. Indonesia is not just a place for healing, but the source code of a culture-based creative economy capable of being an economic driver for the country," said Deputy Minister Irene during the event on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
This performing art, which combines the richness of Indonesian culture with a modern touch in the form of musical theater, will be staged twice: on November 14, 2025, with the play Panah Matahari – Adipati Karna, and on December 14, 2025, in Drayang Kijang Kencana at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM). She noted that performing arts rooted in traditional culture remain relevant today while maintaining strong cultural foundations. Her attendance at the mini showcase was a form of continuous support following a previous audience with Swargaloka on October 1, 2025.
"We will help promote the upcoming performances. We hope more art lovers can spread positive narratives, increasing demand not only at the national level but also internationally, because the world needs entertainment. Thus, more people will come to love Indonesian culture," said Deputy Minister Irene.
Doc. Communication Bureau of Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Since 2008, Swargaloka has staged over 100 Drayang performances across various cities including Jakarta, Bandung, Solo, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and South Kalimantan. As a form of wayang orang performing art in the Indonesian language, the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata are adapted by combining traditional and modern cultural art elements rich in philosophical meaning.
The founder of the Swargaloka Foundation, Suryandoro, described Drayang as #TheMusicalofWayang, which combines the richness of Indonesian culture in a creative and innovative package of music, dance, and drama. Each performance is certain to present a touching, dramatic, and unforgettable experience.
"Drayang is one of the sub-sectors of the performing arts in the creative economy scene that is hoped to go global. It aspires to become one of the world’s best operas, timeless and capable of contributing foreign exchange to the country," said Suryandoro.
During the mini showcase series, Deputy Minister Irene Umar was accompanied by the Director of Fine Arts and Performing Arts, Dadam Mahdar.
Doc. Communication Bureau of Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Also present were Swargaloka's advisor Ninok Leksono, wayang community representative Kabul Budiono, Teater Koma representative Sari Madjid, a representative from Komunitas Perempuan Menari, a representative from Eki Dance Company, and several other performing arts communities who share the spirit of growing together to champion arts and culture in Indonesia.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
