Solo Batik Carniva

Solo Batik Carnival (SBC) is a carnival using costume based on Batik with various creations and models. SBC is already held in 2008, 2009 and 2010. On 19-20 February 2010, SBC successfully followed the Chingay Festival in Singapore and also appeared on the Tong-Tong culture of party in Den Haag, Netherlands, on mid-April 2010. By joining international events, SBC is expected to promote Solo potential so that tourists will be attracted to come to Solo and enjoy the beauty of art and culture in the city.

Classical Court Dance

Bedaya Ketawang is the most sacred dance in the Palace of Surakarta Hadiningrat, it is the mother of other court dances. Officially, Bedaya Ketawang is only performed once a year in the karaton compound to commemorate the coronation of Sri Susuhunan Pakoe Boewono, as the King of Surakarta.

This dance is depicting the very special relation between the first ruler of Mataram, Panembahan Senopati with Kanjeng Ratu Kidul, the Goddess of the South Sea – the Queen Kencanasari. She vowed to protect every King of Mataram, the direct descendants of Panembahan Senopati as well as the country and its people.

For the karaton Surakarta, Kanjeng Ratu Kidul is its protector in the South, other protectors are:

In the East : Sunan Lawu (Mt. Lawu)
In the West : Kanjeng Ratu Kedaton (Mt. Merapi)
In the North : Kalayuwati (Krendawahana) and Kyai Prabayeksa (Java Sea)

The lyrics of the Ketawang song was so amorous, and also of other Bedayas, as Bedaya Dorodasih, a creation of King Pakoe Boewono IV when he was a Crown – Prince, depicting his affectionate love with R.A. Handaya.

The BedayaThe Bedaya are girls – employees of the Sunan / Sri Susuhunan / King, with main duty to perform rituals of the palace. The bedaya must have a high ability to dance, to make batik, to converse in a proper Javanese language, to know literature, to prepare herbal traditional medicine etc.

The bedaya dance in the karaton is performed by 9 girls, wearing same make-up and costume like a bride. The nine could mean 9 human orifices to control human lust or illustrating the constellations of stars, as Ketawang means sky in old Javanese.

The bedaya Ketawang is very special, it is focusing to the love scene between P. Senopati and K.R. Kidul, the other seven dancers move attractively in seated position. The sound of music, which are involving of five instruments and a choir of female sindens (singers) is very simple.

The dance formation could be changed to represent war movements, such as Garuda Nglayang (flying Eagle) and Supit Urang (Lobster’s Claws). The dancers enter onto the stage led by a chaperone, Ms. Ibu Menggung Tari, carrying incense burner. Firstly they are obliged to solemnly making circle movement around the king, who is seated on his throne.

Wathing the performanceDuring the one hour long dance performance, neither the king nor the audience are permitted to smoke, drink or eat. It is a strong traditional belief of the sacred of Bedaya Ketawang. It is regarded as fertility rite and symbol of union between the king and people and between the Creator and the Creatures, as said in Javanese Manunggaling Kawulo Gusti.

The bedaya dancers have to strictly follow some ceremonies and rules before performing the dance. The preparation is just following exactly the same manner as one about to marry. The night before the performance, all dancers have to sleep in the palace, secluded in Panti Satriya, the most sacred area of karaton, where the power objects are stored.

Bedaya PangkurThe bedaya dance exercises are held only every Tuesday Kliwon (Hanggoro Kasih), once in every 35 days, and usually intensive training started 10 days prior to the ceremony. The other bedaya which are famous in karaton Surakarta are a.o:

Bedaya Daradasih (from King P.B. IX)
Bedaya Sukaharjo (from King P.B. IX)
Bedaya Pangkur (from P.B. IV and VIII)

SrimpiSrimpi dance is the other dance which is also considered as basic dance in karaton Surakarta. The lyrics of its song reflecting moral lesson. The Srimpi Gondokusumo and Srimpi Sangupati (from King P.B. IX) are amongst the popular dance.

Other court dances also learnt and performed in karaton. As a rule all Princes and Princesses have to know how to dance. Sri Susuhunan Pakoe Boewono X had set a special time for his children to learn to dance.

The dances of Petilan or fragment from the epics of Ramayana, Mahabarata and East Java Kingdoms, such as Lawung, Garuda Yeksa, Klono Topeng (masked Solo Dance) Sancaya Kusumowicitro from King Pakoe Boewono V depicting human emotion, are favorite.

The present Sinuwun, King Pakoe Boewono XII was famous as Gusti/Prince Gatotkaca, because several times he danced as Gatotkaca. He has an easy-going personality, since his young age, he joined the court employees for dance training.

The dance exercises in karaton Surakarta held regularly at:

Sundays :
9.00 a.m. – 11.00 am for beginners
1.30 p.m. – 04.00 p.m. for senior students

Wednesdays :
02.00 p.m. – 04.00 p.m.

Saturdays :
02.00 p.m. – 04.00 p.m.

The Javanese court dance in karaton Surakarta shall always be preserved, maintained and developed in the best way, as it is also considered as Pusoko/Heirloom and high valuable heritage from their noble ancestors.

Joglosemar Online is grateful to Princess G.R.Ay. Koes Moertiyah Wirobhumi for the interview and photos.

(Suryo S. Negoro)

Exotic Travel & Tours - Asia Takes the Spotlight as Cradle of Ancient Civilizations

by Basic Bruce


For people bent on enjoying exotic travel & tours, Asia beckons. Secret or unfamiliar destinations in Asia can make most travelers feel giddy with excitement.

Some of the amazing and beautiful places in Asia that keep travelers hankering for more are the awe-inspiring cradles of culture in China, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, to name some. Try to include some or all of these countries when planning your exotic travel & tours. Asia offers cities which may have transformed its heritage into chic & trendy tourist spots, but the way modernity melds with the old has commanded attention and lured people in droves.

One such destination which fuses dynamism with antiquity and is recognized as many people as among the best destinations in Asia is Beijing, China. When the city played host to the Olympic Games in 2008, hotels lost no time in renovating and building new elegant structures to entice people to keep coming back. Beijing's hotels feature the harmonious fusion of old & new. One hotel, for instance, features contemporary and sleek furnishings but its façade and roof are classically Chinese. Another hotel houses striking antiques yet features an updated collection of modern Chinese art on its walls. China actually has a splendid mix of upscale as well as budget hotels to suit traveler requirements. Sanya is one example of a jewel tucked in one of China's tropical island provinces which has become home to both luxury hotels and budget accommodations with well-appointed facilities. The beautiful island paradise of Sanya offers visitors pristine white sandy beaches, majestic mountains, rain forests mangrove reserves and year-round sunshine.

Another favorite destination, especially of backpackers, is Cambodia, where the breathtaking three-tiered pyramid Angkor Wat may be found. The vast Angkor temple complex - with its many treasures - never fails to excite the senses of tourists seeking a few hours of heavenly respite. Those who want to experience the one-of-a-kind thrill and mystique of Cambodia on limited resources can check in at budget hotels with stylish amenities. There are also lodges on the outskirts of Siam Reap offering great value, where individuals can recharge energies after a full day of sightseeing.

Exotic travel & tours Asia operators likewise highly recommend other interesting destinations like Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Try booking at the hotel located within Borobudur Archeological Park. `Surreal' - that's how travelers describe the experience of viewing the ancient temple complex of Borobudur from the hotel located in the temple compound. There are several budget hotels as well as restored old Javanese houses blending ancient character with modern amenities like the internet service and international television. These discount hotels are strategically located to be near major points of interest and offer a peaceful, comfortably pleasant stay.

If you've planned your Asian tour between the months of March to August, it may well be worth your time to choose Vietnam's heart and soul - Hue. This place used to be the royal capital during the Nguyen Dynasty. Temples, palaces, royal tombs and other reminders of Vietnam's glorious past may be seen there. At the center of the mysterious city are hotels with spacious rooms packed with amenities, and which offer a nice view of the scenery. Discover the hidden gems of Asia and see for yourself why people keep raving about and craving to return to them, for business and/or pleasure.

Which types of Balinese gamelan are rarely seen or heard?

by Vaughan Hatch

In Bali, there are in fact around thirty-five different types of gamelan which could be considered rare. Among the very rarely seen or heard is the sweet-sounding seven tone semara pagulingan (see www.balimusicanddance.com/about-us/gamelan), a remnant of the court era. According to a number of researchers, there are perhaps only a handful of original sets left in Bali and perhaps only two or three which can be seen in any state of activity. As with most ancient Balinese gamelan, the semara pagulingan has seven tones and its repertoire is made up of dreamy melodies which modulate between up to seven five tone scales. This type of gamelan was played while king was sleeping, said to have to power to induce deep slumber. Today, the original court repertoires are either desperately endangered or, in many cases, extinct.

The selonding is another rare gamelan which can be found in a number of villages in Bali, particularly in the east and in the north. Identified as pre-Majapahit music, the Bali Aga village of Tenganan in Karangasem is famous for its energetic selonding style. Here, the group is active and play only for special rituals, notably rejang and perang pandan. Tenganan's three selonding sets are considered so sacred that no outsiders are allowed to see or touch them, and there are also a number of pieces in the repertoire which may not be recorded. Selonding is also seven tone but most sets are made of iron, rather than the more common bronze used for other types of gamelan.

Gambang is also an endangered type of gamelan ensemble, so archaic that it is found in some of the Central Javanese Prambanan reliefs. A gambang set, played by six players, is made up of both thick-keyed squat bronze metallophones and large, low-pitched bamboo xylophones. Perhaps the most intellectual type of Balinese gamelan, you can hear the ancient melodies and rhythms of gambang at large cremation ceremonies all over Bali, as well as at certain temple ceremonies in the eastern villages.

Copyright © Vaughan Hatch 2009

For further articles about Balinese gamelan and dance, see www.balimusic.org