Entin Solichah, a young Sinden from Yogyakarta, secured first place in the Sinden Idol 5 competition hosted by Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the UNNES Auditorium. Entin claimed the top spot after performing Javanese gending-gending in the Grand Final of Sinden Idol 5, competing against 14 other participants.
UNNES’s fifth staging of Sinden Idol demonstrates the university’s dedication to preserving and developing traditional arts. The university’s rector, Prof. Dr. S. Martono, stated that Sinden Idol, first held in 2012, was an original idea conceived by UNNES. “This must be carried out continuously as an effort to develop traditional arts based on our culture,” Prof. Dr. S. Martono remarked during the event’s opening.
The Rector stated that Sinden Idol has become an icon of UNNES. Looking ahead, he affirmed the commitment to continuously develop traditional arts through various events involving different parties; this is crucial because the younger generation needs to be continually introduced to the values embedded in the nation’s culture, including through the art of sinden. “We encourage this through organizing competitions and festivals like this,” he said.
Second place in Sinden Idol 5 went to Ika Lianingrum (Banyumas audition), with Phita Nuryani (Semarang audition) securing third. The honourable mentions were awarded to Diva Dwi Riyanti (Ponorogo audition) as first runner-up, Dhesanta Anggun Pramesti (Sragen audition) as second runner-up, and Nimas Ayu Winong (Yogyakarta audition) as third runner-up.
In the final round, each participant performed two sets of Javanese gending-gending. They were accompanied by live gamelan, and each performance lasted approximately 20 minutes.
Dr. Widodo Brotosejati, the Head of the Sinden Idol 5 Committee, stated that 15 participants performed in the Sinden Idol final. These finalists were selected from various audition locations, including Rembang, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Ponorogo, Sragen, Banyumas, and Semarang. Additionally, auditions were also conducted online.
Pak Widodo mentioned that dozens of participants participated in auditions across various regions. This enthusiasm indicates that traditional arts, especially Javanese tembang and gamelan, will likely continue flourishing. He stated that one of the goals of organizing Sinden Idol is to equip Sinden with artistic skills, enable them to serve as role models and uphold the dignity of Javanese culture.
One of the judges, Prof. Dr Suyoto, explained that the judging criteria included the fundamental quality of the voice, lures (accuracy in interpreting the getting), and laras (harmony with the gamelan accompaniment). Despite this, the lecturer from ISI Surakarta acknowledged that all finalists demonstrated proficient Sinden skills. Alongside Prof. Dr. Suyoto, the other judges were Ki Murjana (Yogyakarta) and Mambaul Khasanah (East Java).
Translated by Dafele Arozal/Student Staff Humas FBS UNNES
