Comedy is an integral part of Indonesian society, with many comedians and comedy groups entertaining audiences nationwide. In recent years, the trend in comedy material has shifted significantly, from relying heavily on hyperbole to drawing inspiration from daily life stories.
Rauf Afoche Maulana Hutagaol, also known as Apos, a comedian from East Jakarta, observes that this shift is reflected in the punchlines used by comedians. In the early 2000s, comedians relied on over-the-top moments and hyperbole to make audiences laugh. However, today's comedians focus more on everyday life events or experiences shared by many people.
Humor researcher Ulwan Fakhri from IHIK notes that there are four humor styles identified by Canadian psychology professor Rod Martin. The first is "affiliative" humor, which emphasizes shared laughter between parties. The second is "self-defeating" humor, where the comedian makes themselves the object of laughter to make others happy. The third is "aggressive" humor, where comedians aim to make others laugh at their expense. The fourth is "self-enhancing" humor, where comedians use humor to boost their mood and self-confidence.
In Indonesia, there are two legendary comedy groups that have gained widespread recognition: Warkop DKI and Doddy's Group. Both groups have their own unique style of humor, with Warkop DKI being known for their clever wordplay and witty jokes, while Doddy's Group is famous for their absurd and satirical sketches.
Recently, Ernest Prakasa, a well-known comedian, commemorated the birthday of Wahyu Sardono, also known as Dono Warkop DKI, on September 30, 2021. Dono was an iconic figure in Indonesian comedy, known for his sharp wit and fearless approach to tackling social and political issues.
In a series of tweets, Ernest Prakasa shared a photo of Dono being surrounded by soldiers during the Orde Baru era in Indonesia. The photo shows Dono wearing a white t-shirt with the words "Join us. We fight for a clean government" or "Ikut kami. Kami berjuang untuk pemerintahan yang bersih". According to sources, the photo was taken in 1974 during the Malapetaka Lima Belas Januari (MLBJ) movement.
Ernest Prakasa's post aimed to highlight that comedians also have a right to speak out on social and political issues. He emphasized that comedy can be a form of resistance against those in power, citing Dono's example as an inspiration for comedians today.
In his tweets, Ernest Prakasa quoted Dono as saying, "Buat orang-orang yang suka bilang 'Heh, pelawak tuh ngelucu aja, gausah sok ngomongin politik'. Ketahuilah, bahwa komedi lahir sebagai bentuk perlawanan terhadap kekuasaan" (For people who say "Oh, comedians are just funny, they shouldn't talk about politics." Know that comedy is born as a form of resistance against those in power).
Ernest Prakasa's post sparked a lively discussion on social media, with many comedians and fans paying tribute to Dono's legacy. The post also highlighted the importance of using humor to raise awareness about social and political issues., comedy in Indonesian society has undergone significant changes over the years, from relying on hyperbole to drawing inspiration from daily life stories. Comedians like Apos and Ernest Prakasa are leading the way in shaping a new era of comedy that tackles social and political issues head-on.