UNDIP, Semarang (October 29, 2025) – The 68th Anniversary celebration of Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) was enlivened by the Ketoprak performance entitled “Banjaran Diponegoro”, held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Prof. Sudarto, S.H. Hall, UNDIP Tembalang. As the largest university in Jawa Tengah, UNDIP strengthens its identity as a culturally rooted campus by nguri-uri budaya Jawa (preserving Javanese culture) through a Ketoprak performance featuring the university’s leadership as actors.
“Banjaran Diponegoro” tells the story of the life journey of national hero Prince Diponegoro, the great leader of the Java War (1825–1830), from his youth to the beginning of his resistance against Dutch colonial rule. Directed by Sunarno (from Ngesti Pandawa) and produced by Laura Andri R.M., S.S., M.A., the performance brought a new color to UNDIP’s artistic and cultural scene. Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., Rector of UNDIP, played the role of Prince Diponegoro, with special guest appearances by Gareng and Said Bajaj Bajuri.
The event opened with an introduction by the master of ceremonies in five languages: Indonesian, Javanese, Arabic, English, and Japanese.
Dressed as Prince Diponegoro, UNDIP Rector Prof. Dr. Suharnomo, S.E., M.Si., greeted the packed audience that filled the first and second floors of the Prof. Sudarto, S.H. Hall. He expressed gratitude to the organizing committee from UNDIP’s Faculty of Humanities for presenting such a spectacular cultural performance.
Prof. Suharnomo quoted a proverb reflecting the spirit of the evening:
“With knowledge, life becomes easier. With faith, life gains direction. With art, life becomes beautiful.”
He hoped the event would inspire the UNDIP community to appreciate and preserve Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage.
Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Dr. Alamsyah, S.S., M.Hum., as chair of the Ketoprak committee, explained that the performance was not merely for entertainment but also served as a medium of education and reflection on the values of struggle, nationalism, and the noble virtues of Javanese culture—an invaluable heritage of the nation.
Prof. Alamsyah further elaborated that the story of Prince Diponegoro symbolizes moral steadfastness, courage against tyranny, and devotion to the people—values that align closely with the spirit of Universitas Diponegoro.
On stage, Prof. Sudarto, S.H. Hall was transformed into a theatrical space depicting the Mataram Palace, where young Raden Mas Mustahar (later known as Prince Diponegoro) witnessed the suffering of the people under oppressive taxation policies. The son of Gusti Raden Mas Suraja (Hamengkubuwono III) and R.A. Mangkarawati was intelligent, humble, and devout. Witnessing such injustice, he vowed to leave the palace and live among commoners in Tegalrejo.
As an adult, Ontowiryo (Prince Diponegoro’s youth name) refused to live in luxury at the palace, choosing instead a modest life in the countryside. When his father ascended to the Sultanate of Yogyakarta as Sultan Hamengkubuwono III, Ontowiryo was given the title Pangeran (Prince) Diponegoro, meaning “the light of the nation.”
Tensions arose as Dutch colonial powers, led by Resident Smissaert, increasingly interfered in the affairs of the Yogyakarta Palace, collaborating with Mataram’s Patih Danurejo to build a road cutting through Tegalrejo and even the royal ancestral cemetery. Diponegoro strongly opposed this desecration of sacred ground.
Conflict soon erupted into open warfare. Dutch troops under General De Kock and Smissaert pressed ahead with the road construction, only to be met by Diponegoro’s loyal followers—Sentot Prawirodirjo, Kyai Mojo, and Pangeran Mangkubumi—culminating in the fierce Battle of Tegalrejo.
After the first battle, Diponegoro retreated with his followers to Selarong Cave to devise new strategies for continued resistance. There, he vowed to fight against the Dutch for the honor and independence of his homeland.
His strong determination is etched in history to this day: “Sadumuk batuk sanyari bumi ditotohi pecahing dodo wutahing ludiro, ditohi tekan pati.” — means “Every inch of land will be defended to the last drop of blood.”
The UNDIP leadership who participated in “Banjaran Diponegoro” included:
- Prof. Ir. Edy Rianto, M.Sc., Ph.D., I.P.U. as Buminoto
- Prof. Mohamad Nasir, M.Si., Akt., Ph.D. as Prince Adinegoro
- Prof. Dr. Endang Larasati S., M.S. as Gusti KRA Ageng
- Prof. Dr. Ir. Agus Indarjo as Kyai Mojo
- Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Heru Susanto, S.T., M.T. as Sentot Prawirodirjo
- Prof. Dr. Mohammad Djaeni, S.T., M.Eng. as General De Kock
- Prof. Dr. Adian Fatchur Rochim, M.T. as Purboyomangkubumi
- Wijayanto, S.IP., M.Si., Ph.D. as Raden Mas Mustahar (Ontowiryo)
- Prof. Dr. Ir. Purwanto, DEA as Raden Mas Surojo (Diponegoro’s father)
- Prof. Dr. Ir. Bambang Waluyo Hadi Eko P., M.M., M.Sc., Ph.D. as Resident Hendrik Smissaert
The robust performance combined drama rich in moral lessons with touches of humor that drew laughter from the audience. It was more than a tale of war and power—it was a story of moral virtue and deep love for the homeland.
The noble, courageous, and people-centered leadership of Prince Diponegoro mirrors the spirit of Universitas Diponegoro as a noble and valuable institution devoted to the nation’s progress. By nurturing a sense of nationalism, UNDIP continues to strengthen the nation’s foundation through an academic community rooted in cultural values. (Public Communication/UNDIP/Titis-DHW)