The Founding Father – Udjo Ngalagena
The story of Saung Angklung Udjo as a social phenomenon, why do we called it as a social phenomenon because in the middle of globalization and modernization Saung Angklung Udjo still has its pride to dedications to conserve, preserve, and 
Udjo Ngalagena is the 6th Son from Wiranta the Late and Imi the Late. Udjo was had no official birth legal letter. His mother told him that he was born at midday at Tuesday, around 1 pm, it was about the 40th day after his grand – father passed away. Due to the necessity of official matters and other necessity related to the school administration, so, his birthday fixed by his own considerations. Until now, he made his birthday at March 5th, 1929, and used until now for the records.Actually, his parents gave his name only “Udjo” that has similarity with his siblings only consists of 2 words, such as: Oneh, Udjen, Idjah, Eroh, Edja, and Ela. After they grown, they added their last name, and so is Udjo, he added NGALAGENA afterward. He thought that Ngalagena had good meaning, such as: nice, hope, and independency. So, he thought His name would be good to hear, and his name will also represent his hope to live independent.
Like the kids in that period of time, Little Udjo studied his elementary at Hollandsch Inlandsche School (HIS). Beside at HIS, he also continued his study at the village’s school with his playmate. To afford his necessity of school budget, he works as a herd – boy to the rich at his village. He was also selling a blocked – ice to add his pocket money. As he studied at the school, he only had a pair of shoes. In that time, Shoes was a privilege, so, he took care of it very well, his tips was “just use the shoes in the school only, so, wrapped the shoes in the bag, and went back bare naked feet”. The only reason why he did that was, he earned many things alone, with all the hard works, so he must took care everything neat and good. That kind of informal education that made him the way he was, a GREAT NOBEL GENTLEMAN, with deep character of full of responsible, that made his marks and paths as a good role model for the youngster.
All his experiences and the related duties he involved in, never far from the educational sides. The nature of the Educator seems already soaked in his blood and soul even after he retired, he still had big willingness to spread all the knowledge, information, and experiences to anyone. In Saung Angklung Udjo, he made his marks by made some wisdom that carved in the wall. The wisdom that made him the way he is. His notes placed in many strategic points, so other could read easily, especially in Musician’s waiting room, and Angklung storage that used to be use for the regular performances. One of the very best is:
(In Sundanese),
Ceuceub ka hiji jalmi hartosna nyiksa ka diri sorangan
Kukituna dunya jadi heurin
Naon rugelna jadi jalmi anu someah
Naon rugelna jadi jalmi anu leah
(In English),
Having hatred in someone meant that we torturing ourselves, that’s why the world became a nasty place to live in.
What to lose to be a kind – hearted persons?
What to lose to be wise and respected persons?
In the musician’s waiting room, there were more than 20 words of wisdom, in the souvenir shop it had 1 and 2 others placed in the production’s site and in the backstage. It had a beautiful purposes, so his students will read it and will always be remembered to the words of wisdom, and so the could use it in their daily lives.
Little Udjo already started his musical, arts, and cultures, since he was a boy, in the age of 4, he already familiar with the Angklung that already known in his neighbourhood. Angklung used to play in the traditional ceremony, and any other activities that using the traditional musical instruments. He learnt the diatonic tone scale and also pentatonic tone scale. The diatonic tone scale is a modern tone scale that widely known and the pentatonic tone scale is a traditional tone scale that only known and used in the Sundanese songs and music. He also learnt about the traditional Sundanese songs. Beside he learnt traditional, he also learnt popular Indonesian songs and Ducth’s songs. His ability and talents in music gr
To emphasize his abilities he came to learn to the experts directly. The traditional string musical instrument – Kacapi – he learnt from the inventor, Mang Koko. About Gamelan he learnt from Rd. Machyar Angga Kusumahdinata, and for Angklung do-re-mi, or the diatonic tone scale, he learnt from Daeng Soetigna, he was also the inventor of Angklung diatonic. His knowledge soon became a set of performance of Sundanese traditional arts and cultures that became also as a performances package for tourists abroad. The main theme of the performances itself, were Angklung performances at Saung Angklung Udjo. The present of Saung Angklung Udjo was not only his business related, but also to spread his abilities, talented, and souls to share the knowledge he mastered best. All the guests from all over the world come to Saung Angklung Udjo to enjoy the Sundanese Traditional Arts and Culture that controlled in its quality, and the impression of the guests are always very good indeed, and they always seems very enjoy the moments they share here. Started from Wayang Golek demonstrations, Sundanese Traditional dances, and also Angklung plays, consists of: Angklung Orchestra, and Angklung Interactive. That kind of simple reasons that made all guests really pleased and really has a desire to be back in Saung Angklung Udjo. The entertainment talent of the Young Udjo fulfilled the ability to combine and to mix all the arts, culture, the children, and also the surroundings, that became a harmony between culture and nature in front of all the audiences.
His mastering and the skilful of ability spread especially to his daughters and sons. In early 90’s, his daughters and sons continuing his mission under Udjo’s guidance. Due to his bad health conditions, he became more rare involved in the performances itself, he only involved occasionally just to greet the audiences in many different languages. He spoke English, Ducth, French, German, Japanese, Chinese, and etc.
As he passed away at May 3rd 2001, Saung Angklung Udjo continued by the daughters and sons. There’s nothing change with Saung Angklung Udjo, it still visited by many international tourists from all over the world, and all the students of Saung Angklung Udjo still play the Angklung, and the instant applause and admiring smile from the guests still could be seen at the end of the show.
Udjo Ngalagena (sometimes in late 90’s).
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