Raden Ajeng Srimulat

Raden Ajeng Srimulat (1908–1968, in pre-1947 spelling ), also known simply as Srimulat, was an Indonesian comedian, actor, singer, and founding member of the popular Srimulat comedy troupe. She was the wife of Teguh Slamet Rahardjo, one of the most famous Indonesian comedians of the postwar era.

Biography Early life Srimulat was born on 7 May 1908, in Botokang village, Klaten Regency, Central Java, Dutch East Indies. She was the daughter of a district head; her parents were named Raden Mas Aryo Tjitrosoma and Raden Ayu Sedah. She was raised in a household where traditional Javanese music and art were a part of her daily life, and her grandfather was a skilled traditional dancer and dalang (puppeteer). She met her future husband Teguh Slamet Rahardjo (born Kho Tjien Tiong), then a musician in a Keroncong orchestra, in 1946 and they began to perform together regularly, to the point that he adopted her name as his stage name: Teguh Srimulat. They were married in 1950. In 1950 they established their touring troupe, called variously , Srimulat Review and ; they performed most often in Surabaya. They also regularly performed in night markets around Java.

Initially the focus of their troupe was on music, with some comedy, but in the late 1950s they began to turn increasingly towards comedy and especially Slapstick comedy. Srimulat also appeared in some films during this era, including (1949), (1951), (1953), (1954) and (1956). In the early 1960s the touring troupe was re-launched as with a home stage in Jakarta and regular appearances in Surabaya, Surakarta and Semarang. As the troupe became much larger a number of its actors became well-known comedians in their own right, including Johni Gudel, Edy Geyol, Herry Koko, Gepeng, and Dandempo.

Srimulat died of Diabetes in December 1968. The comedy troupe continued to operate under the name Srimulat and the name itself came to be identified with their brand of absurd slapstick comedy.