1. Introduction: A Glimpse of the Development Process: From Bung Karno to Pak Harto
The Indonesian Women's Movement Unity Monument "MANDALA BHAKTI WANITATAMA" in Yogyakarta, is a complex with several buildings, namely Balai Srikandi, Balai Utari, Wisma Sembodro Lama, Wisma Sembodro Baru, Wisma Arimbi, Balai Shinta, Balai Kunthi, TK Karya Rini, and SMK Karya Rini. All buildings are managed by the Hari Ibu Kowani Foundation. And in some of these buildings there are 2 (two) buildings that have important values for the Han Ibu Kowani Foundation, namely Balai Srikandi and Balai Utari.
The Indonesian Women's Movement Unity Monument Building or better known as Mandala Bhakti Wanitatama is a manifestation of the desire of Indonesian women to build a monument that marks the unity of movement and steps in the struggle based on the ideals of the First Indonesian Women's Congress in 1928 which was held at Dalem Joyodipuran Yogyakarta . The construction of the monument in the form of a building was assigned to the Mother's Day Foundation, which was established on December 15, 1953. Thanks to the services of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX as an advisor to the Mother's Day Foundation, it was able to occupy the location that originally belonged to BNI.
The laying of the first stone was carried out at the Commemoration of the Quarter of a Century of Unity of the Indonesian Women's Movement on December 22, 1953 by Mrs. Sukonto as Chair of the First Indonesian Women's Congress and Mrs. Sri Mangunsarkoro as Chair of the Central Committee for the Quarter Century Commemoration. This ceremony was led by Mrs. Aisyah Hilal as a member of the YHI Supervisory Board. The guests who attended included Mr. Ali Sastroamijoyo (Prime Minister), Mr. Wongsonagoro (Deputy Prime Minister), Sri Sultan HB IX (YHI Advisor).
Although the laying of the first stone was carried out on 22 December 1953 at the peak of the Commemoration of the Quarter of a Century of Unity of the Indonesian Women's Movement, on 17 August 1955 the new construction began and was inaugurated on 20 May 1956 by Mrs. Maria Ulfah Santosa. The building that was first built was called "Balai Srikandi" which later in its development was used for Kindergartens and offices. The entire construction process of this historic building took approximately 30 years. The development stages were as follows: 1) Balai Srikandi (1956); 2) Sembodro House (1960); 3) Balai Utari (1960); 4) Karya Rini Kindergarten building (formerly a warehouse, 1976); 5) Balai Kunthi and Balai Shinta (1983); and 6) Wisma Arimbi (1983)
On December 22, 1983, the Women's Association Building was later inaugurated as the Monument to the Unity of the Indonesian Women's Movement by President Soeharto and Mrs. Tien Soeharto. This complex is called "Mandala Bhakti Wanitatama" with the hope of becoming a place of worship for virtuous women. President Soeharto handed over this Monument Building to Indonesian women symbolically by handing over the key to the building, which was received by Mrs. Soenarjo Mangunpuspito, a female warrior figure from the 1928 generation.
The magnificent Indonesian Women's Movement Unity Monument building is named "Mandala Bhakti Wanitatama". The parts of the building are named after female characters in wayang:
- Shinta, a powerful and holy woman
- Kunthi, a wise and fair female educator
- Srikandi, an agile and powerful warrior woman
- Arimbi, a mother who has succeeded in educating her child to become a powerful warrior (Gatotkaca)
- Sembodro, a princess who is beautiful, graceful, gentle, easy to forgive.
- Utari, a mother who educates her son (Parikshit) to be an honest, just and wise king.
2. Historical and Architectural Value
From the brief description of the history of the establishment of the Women's Building complex above, we can understand that this building complex has a long history associated with the women's movement in Indonesia. Women have been an important element of the national movement since the founding of the Republic, especially marked by the first Indonesian Women's Congress on December 22, 1928. This date was later designated as Mother's Day.
Although some of the buildings themselves were only really established in 1956, this complex fulfills several requirements as a Cultural Conservation based on the Law on Cultural Conservation No. 11, 2010, where one of the criteria is the age of the building or cultural heritage that has exceeded 50 years. From several buildings in this complex, there are 2 (two) buildings that have important values for the Hari Ibu Kowani Foundation, namely Balai Srikandi and Balai Utari.
Balai Srikandi is a building which was built on August 17, 1955 and was inaugurated on May 20, 1956. Its initial function was for a kindergarten, office, training ground for women cadres for village community development (1956, 1958, 1959). Currently it is used for the Museum of the Unitary Monument of the Indonesian Women's Movement. Balai Srikandi measures 1800 x 1650 cm. Initially this building was longer, but part of it was cut for the construction of Wisma Sembodro Baru. Wisma Srikandi is a building from the 1950s, with a pyramid-shaped roof, on the east and west sides there is a passage. During its development, a corridor was added on the north side that connected Balai Srikandi with Balai Kunthi. Architecturally, it still retains the main parts of the building that were built in the 50s, such as the lower north side walls with cement and gravel plaster, doors and windows above the doors, and floors made of gray tiles.
Balai Utari was built starting in June 1958, inaugurated on December 22, 1960 for the Recreation Room/hall/lighting room, equipped with a stage for performances, dressing rooms, balcony where the projector is. This building was rehabilitated in 2014. Currently it is used as a place for meetings, receptions, graduations, exhibitions and performances, while the balcony is used as the BKOW Office. Balai Utari is a rectangle measuring 4505 x 2265 cm. Balai Utari has almost the same architecture as Balai Srikandi, which is a building with a pyramid roof.
More than just the age of the building, this complex has witnessed the history of the women's movement in Indonesia since 1928. In accordance with Article 5 and Article 9 of Law Number 11 of 2010 concerning Cultural Conservation, "...objects, buildings or structures can be proposed as Cultural Conservation Objects, Cultural Conservation Buildings, or Cultural Conservation Structures if they meet the following criteria:
a. Aged 50 (fifty) years or more;
b. Representing a style period of at least 50 (fifty) years;
c. Has a special meaning for history, science, education, religion, and/or culture; and
d. It has cultural values for strengthening the nation's personality."
This complex can be designated as a Cultural Conservation Site because:
a) Contain Cultural Conservation Objects, Cultural Conservation Buildings, and/or Cultural Conservation Structures; and
b) Store information on human activities in the past.
In terms of architecture itself, this building complex is not too prominent, but still has its own characteristics, especially as a representation of building designs in the 1950-1960 era, with a modern-tropical style. The addition of a building in the form of a Joglo (Balai Shinta) for a meeting room on the east side adds to the appearance
a quite magnificent building complex in the span of the 1980s and until now. As a single building complex, everything is quite harmonious with a clear and functional layout. This complex is supported by a fairly large area of land, around 12,135 m2. With its two historical buildings, namely: 1) Balai Srikandi, 198 m2 (18D0 x 15.70 m); and 2) Balai Untari, 954 m2 (45.05 x 22.85). This complex is supported by an adequate parking lot so that it can become a venue for various activities for the wider community. This shows an example of a cultural heritage building that can continue to be developed to serve various current and future community activities.
This building complex fulfills the criteria as a cultural heritage site because: 1) it still maintains several old buildings that are prioritized to be preserved in the regency area, namely the Balai Srikandi and Balai Utari; 2) represents a period of distinctive style seen from the architectural characteristics of the 1950 - 1960s period, with pilastered walls, traditional Javanese roofs, window and door panels with glass. On the lower outer walls there is stucco with pebbles attached, which is typical of buildings in the 50s; and 3) Leaving a few types of Cultural Heritage Buildings (Balai Srikandi and Balai Utari) for the Monument to the Unity of the Indonesian Women's Movement which are still used today or as living monuments.
3. Management and Utilization
Until now, the management of this building complex is very clear and good, supported by a legal foundation, namely the Had Ibu Foundation. Currently, the Chairperson of the Mother's Day Foundation is Prof. Wiendu Nuryanti M.Arch. PhDs. Who is also the Chairman of the Indonesian Women's Movement Unity Museum. The foundation and its chairman have stated their commitment to preserving the historic value of this building complex.
Currently, this building complex is used for various social and community activities, including: meetings (shinta hall), exhibitions, museum (Srikandi hall), education and training venues, foundation offices, exhibitions, and many other activities that are useful for general. It can be said that the utilization of this building complex is good and in accordance with the principles of cultural heritage preservation which provide as many benefits as possible for present and future social interests.
The use of this building complex is also efficient and can be financially independent, because the use of this building is also possible to receive usage fees which can ultimately be used for various management and development needs of this complex.
One good use of this complex is the Indonesian Women's Movement Unity Monument Museum, which utilizes the Srikandi hall building. This museum is well managed and has very valuable collections on the movement of Indonesian women.
With an important and long history, supported by clear, responsible and professional management, this building complex deserves to be awarded the Cultural Award, Preservation of Culture from the Regional Government of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. It is hoped that this award will further trigger wider public understanding of the anti-importance of this building complex in the history of the Indonesian women's movement. On the other hand, this award can also be an encouragement and support for the management to continue to be committed to making good conservation efforts in the future. ***