Donations via digital stage help Indonesia dancers

Before the coronavirus pandemic arrived, 2020 seemed fated to be a great year for Siko Setyanto's dance career: touring Germany and South Korea, performances in Indonesia, classes and more classes.

Now this man in motion has spent over two months holed up at home.

"For dancers, it is like the blood has stopped in our body," he says. "I cannot move freely, I have no more job...while my economic responsibilities do not stop."

He was rescued by two choreographers in Indonesia's capital who have given a traditional system for tipping artists — saweran — a modern twist by posting video recordings of dancers' work on YouTube and asking for donations to keep the dancers and their art alive.

"We remember a long time ago when we watched performances with the saweran system," said Rusdy Rukmarata, who masterminded the project with Yola Yulfianti.

"No ticket box, no promotion, only space in the market and the musicians. People can watch them for free, if they like it, they give the tip to the performers," Rukmarata said.

So Rukmarata and Yulfianti, members of the Jakarta Arts Council, started Saweran Online on the Indonesian Dance Network channel.

On this digital stage, dancers can show their work; the shows are free, but viewers are encouraged to donate.

There are more than 60 videos by individuals and dance groups from various backgrounds and genres.

Included are traditional Indonesian dance, contemporary ballet and even dance workouts.

Some dancers provide videos, while others record performances at Rukmarata's studio.

Each donation is divided: 75% for the performer, 20% to other needs in Indonesia to fight COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, and the rest to pay for the project's costs.

Setyanto, the dancer, saw money deposited in his bank account two weeks after his video went up.

The cash is important, but so is the opportunity to show his art.

The two have been joined in their effort by independent art producer Ratri Anindyajati, who has recovered from the COVID-19 and is renowned as the third case in Indonesia.

Anindyajati said her survival has inspired her to do more for others during the pandemic.

"As I grew up with the dance community, I would like to help them. Moreover, it is not only helping people around the dance community," but also others who need aid, Anindyajati said.