TARI BEDHAYA KETAWANG - TARIAN SAKRAL RAJA MATARAM | BINGKAI DESA

Summary

The Bedhaya Ketawang dance, a sacred and noble performance from Surakarta Palace in Java, is steeped in tradition and history. It is performed exclusively during royal coronations and ceremonies to honor the king's ascension. Originating from Sultan Agung's mystical experiences, the dance narrates the divine love affair between Kanjeng Ratu Kidul and Mataram kings. Nine dancers, symbolizing the nine cardinal directions, perform in traditional 'dodot ageng' attire to the rhythm of Gending Ketawang Gedhe, a pelog-toned gamelan music. The dance is believed to be graced by the presence of Kanjeng Ratu Kidul herself, making it a revered spectacle at the royal palace.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The Bedhaya Ketawang dance is a significant cultural performance from Surakarta Palace, Java, associated with the coronation of kings and commemoration of their ascension.
• 🌟 The name 'Bedhaya Ketawang' is derived from 'bedhaya', meaning female palace dancers, and 'ketawang', symbolizing the sky, high status, nobility, and glory.
• 🕉 The dance is considered sacred, involving divinity and the belief that it can only be performed with God's will.
• 📜 Historically, Sultan Agung Hanyakrakusumo, who ruled the Mataram Sultanate, was inspired by a mystical experience to create the Bedhaya Ketawang dance.
• 💃 The dance tells the story of the love affair between Kanjeng Ratu Kidul and the kings of Mataram, with movements and songs reflecting this romance.
• 👑 Public belief holds that Kanjeng Ratu Kidul, a mythical queen, attends performances as the tenth dancer, with nine other dancers representing the nine cardinal directions of 'Nawasanga'.
• 👗 Dancers must meet purity requirements, including being unmarried girls and fasting before the performance, to ensure the sanctity of the dance.
• 🎵 The music for Bedhaya Ketawang, Gending Ketawang Gedhe, is played in pelog tone and features instruments like 'kethuk', 'kenong', 'kendhang', 'gong', and 'kemak'.
• 🌐 The dance is divided into three scenes with changes in musical tone, starting and ending in 'laras pelog' and shifting to 'slendro' in between.
• 🎵 Accompaniment songs include 'Durma', 'Retnamulya', and 'Dalem Ageng Prabasuyasa', with additional instruments like 'fiddle', 'gender', 'gambang', and 'flute' for harmony.

Q & A

What is the Bedhaya Ketawang dance?

The Bedhaya Ketawang dance is a sacred and significant dance in Java, performed only during the coronation of the king and the 'Tingalandalem Jumenengan Sunan' ceremony at the Surakarta Palace, symbolizing nobility and glory.

What does the name 'Bedhaya Ketawang' signify?

The name 'Bedhaya Ketawang' is derived from 'bedhaya', meaning female dancers in the palace, and 'ketawang', which means sky, representing something high, nobility, and glory.

Why is the Bedhaya Ketawang dance considered sacred?

The Bedhaya Ketawang dance is considered sacred because it involves divinity and is believed that everything happens with the will of God Almighty.

Which historical figure is associated with the creation of the Bedhaya Ketawang dance?

Sultan Agung Hanyakrakusumo, who ruled the Mataram Sultanate from 1613 - 1645 AD, is credited with creating the Bedhaya Ketawang dance after experiencing a spiritual revelation during a 'samadi' ritual.

What is the significance of the nine dancers in the Bedhaya Ketawang performance?

The nine dancers in the Bedhaya Ketawang performance represent the nine cardinal directions called 'Nawasanga' in Javanese mythology.

What are the requirements for a dancer to perform the Bedhaya Ketawang dance?

The main requirements for a dancer to perform the Bedhaya Ketawang dance are that they must be a pure girl, not menstruating, and have a pure inner state, achieved by fasting for a few days leading up to the performance.

What is the traditional attire worn by Bedhaya Ketawang dancers?

The traditional attire worn by Bedhaya Ketawang dancers is 'dodot ageng' or 'basahan', which is similar to Javanese wedding attire and is predominantly green.

What type of music accompanies the Bedhaya Ketawang dance?

The music accompanying the Bedhaya Ketawang dance is called Gending Ketawang Gedhe, which has a pelog tone and is played using a variety of gamelan instruments.

How is the Bedhaya Ketawang dance divided in terms of scenes or chapters?

The Bedhaya Ketawang dance is divided into three scenes or chapters, with changes in the tuning of the gending to a 'slendro' tone twice, before returning to 'laras pelog'.

What is the role of Kanjeng Ratu Kidul in the Bedhaya Ketawang dance?

Kanjeng Ratu Kidul is believed to be the forerunner of the dance and is depicted in the dance's movements as having love affairs with the kings of Mataram. It is also believed that she attends the ceremony and dances as the tenth dancer.

What instruments are used in the gamelan to accompany the Bedhaya Ketawang dance?

The instruments used in the gamelan to accompany the Bedhaya Ketawang dance include 'kethuk, kenong, kendhang, gong, and kemak', which dominate the rhythm of the gending.