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| Surianyah Murhaini (right side of readers) and Masri Sareb Putra are seen performing a duet of Koes Plus’ ,“Kembali ke Jakarta.” |
By Masri Sareb Putra
Tjilik Riwut Gallery & Resto stands at the intersection of memory and everyday life.
At first glance, it appears to be a modest gallery and museum dedicated to Tjilik Riwut, the Dayak national hero whose life story is deeply intertwined with the history of Central Kalimantan and modern Indonesia. Inside, visitors encounter carefully arranged displays of clothing, personal attributes, photographs, and objects that speak quietly of leadership, faith, and struggle.
A Gallery That Lives
Tjilik Riwut is remembered here not as an abstract figure from textbooks, but as a human being whose choices shaped a region and inspired generations.
Yet the gallery does not freeze history behind glass. It allows the past to coexist with the present.The walls that display artifacts also look out onto tables where people gather to eat, talk, and linger. This dual function transforms the space from a place of silent observation into one of active engagement. History, here, is not something to be stared at briefly before moving on. It becomes part of a lived experience.
Food plays a crucial role in this transformation. The restaurant serves traditional Dayak dishes, prepared with flavors that reflect forest, river, and longhouse kitchens. Each meal functions as an extension of the gallery itself. Eating becomes a way of learning, a sensory entry point into Dayak culture that complements the visual narratives on the walls. In this setting, heritage is not only seen and read; it is tasted and remembered.
When Night Turns Musical
As evening arrives, the character of Tjilik Riwut Gallery & Resto shifts once again. On certain nights, the space is filled with the sound of traditional Dayak music. The sape, with its gentle, flowing melodies, sets the tone. Its sound is both intimate and expansive, capable of drawing listeners inward while connecting them to a broader cultural landscape. The music does not demand attention; it invites it.
Following the sape, karungut takes center stage. More than music, karungut is oral tradition. Sung poetry, rhythmic storytelling, and social commentary merge into a performance that carries values, humor, and reflection. In this moment, the gallery becomes a place of transmission. What was once passed from elders to communities now reaches visitors from diverse backgrounds, many of whom may be encountering karungut for the first time.
The effect is subtle yet powerful. Conversations soften. Meals slow down. Listeners begin to sense that they are not merely being entertained, but included in something meaningful.
The music bridges time, connecting contemporary audiences to older forms of expression that continue to evolve without losing their roots. It is culture in motion, unfolding naturally within a social space.
A Stage Open to Everyone
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of these musical evenings is the openness of the stage. Tjilik Riwut Gallery & Resto does not draw a rigid line between performer and audience.
Visitors who enjoy singing are welcome to step forward and share their voices. This gesture, simple as it may seem, carries deep cultural significance. It reflects a communal ethos where participation matters more than perfection.
In the illustrated moment, Surianyah Murhaini and Masri Sareb Putra are seen singing a duet of Koes Plus’ “Kembali ke Jakarta.” The choice of song itself is telling. A classic of Indonesian popular music, it resonates across generations and regions. Sung in this setting, it becomes a bridge between national memory and local identity, between personal nostalgia and shared cultural space.
Moments like these reveal the true spirit of Tjilik Riwut Gallery & Resto. It is not a venue that showcases culture as a spectacle. Instead, it creates conditions for culture to emerge organically.
People eat, listen, sing, and remember together. The gallery honors a national hero, the restaurant nourishes the body, and the music nourishes the soul.
In the end, Tjilik Riwut Gallery & Resto is not remarkable because of any single element it offers. It is remarkable because of how those elements come together.
History, cuisine, music, and human interaction intertwine, turning an ordinary evening into an experience that lingers long after the last note fades.
Visitors and travelers heading to Tjilik Riwut Gallery & Resto are welcome to stop by. The venue stands at Jl. Sudirman No. 1 in the Jekan Raya district, close to the city center and Bundaran Besar.
