The Role of the Yogyakarta Palace in Preserving Javanese Culture and Arts

Javanese cultural museums are located in the Mangkunegaran Duchy, Paku Alaman Duchy, Yogyakarta Palace, and Surakarta Palace.

These four Javanese palaces are more than just places to live; they are the hubs of Javanese cultural advancement. As a result, efforts to raise awareness of their culture are continuous.

Recognizing the kingdom as the hub of Javanese culture through the preservation of dance arts, the construction of digital libraries and museums, and the hosting of cultural events with cutting-edge ideas are only a few of the actions taken to uphold the ingrained values in them. In this sense, it might spark the younger generation’s curiosity for their own cultural background.

Yogyakarta Palace Cultural Events and Arts to Promote Javanese Cultures

1. Abhimantrana Exhibition

On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawono’s accession as the 10th ruler, the Yogyakarta Palace, in collaboration with the Hageng Punakawan Nitya Budaya Kawedanan, arranged another temporary exhibition.

Abhimantrana: The Traditional Ceremony of the Yogyakarta Palace has been selected as this year’s subject. Abhimantrana literally translates to “worship mantra” or “praise.”

The transcendental aspect of Javanese culture in comprehending life transitions is therefore generally understood by interpreting this meaning.

Ceremonies embody a variety of living awareness and knowledge from the noble culture. The Abhimantrana Exhibition presents the essential elements and knowledge of many palace ceremonies in a structured narrative format.

Thursday, July 3, marked the start of the exhibition opening program with the Kirab Trunojoyo parade.

The Yogyakarta Palace warriors and representatives from ten Cultural Villages in DIY joined the Trunojoyo Beksan dancers as they paraded from the DIY Regional House of Representatives courtyard to the Yogyakarta Palace’s Kagungan Dalem Bangsal Pagelaran complex.

The Abhimantrana Exhibition was formally launched by Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawono the 10th on Friday evening, August 3, along with GKR Bendara.

Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I’s masterwork, Trunajaya Beksan, was on display at the exhibition opening, which took place at the Kagungan Dalem Bangsal Pagelaran (1755-1792)

2. Appearing in Jakarta, the Yogyakarta Royal Orchestra Holds a Concert on National Sovereignty Day

On National Sovereignty Day (HPKN), the Yogyakarta Palace hosted a concert featuring the Yogyakarta Royal Orchestra (YRO) in the Jakarta Symphony Hall in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

In his speech, Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawono the Tenth said that the Yogyakarta Royal Orchestra is inviting the people to use moving music as a means of contemplating the meaning of sovereignty and the nation’s fight.

Adipati Pura Pakualaman KGPAA Paku Alam X along with his consort GKBRAA Paku Alam, Wayah Dalem RAj Arti Ayya Fatimasari Wironegoro, RM Drasthya Wironegoro, and RM Gustilantika Marrel Suryokusumo were among the attendees dressed in traditional Besiyaran attire.

Son-in-law of Dalem KPH Notonegoro as well as KPH Yudanegara, and Adipati Pura Mangkunegaran KGPAA Mangkoenagoro X were also present.

Ministers, representatives of the Indonesian government and other regional administrations, ambassadors from a number of nations, including Italy, France, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, and 500 other invited guests, were also in attendance.

In the meantime, the performance on Saturday, February 3, the second day, managed to successfully capture the interest of almost 700 members of the general public.

On the 10th of March, the Yogyakarta Royal Orchestra (YRO) held a concert in Jakarta in compliance with the decree from Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawono.

The purpose of the concert was to celebrate “National Sovereignty Enforcement Day,” which is a national holiday recognized by Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia (Keppres) Number 2 of 2022. The celebration is based on the events of the General Offensive of March 1, 2949.

Read more: 10 Yogyakarta Palace Traditional Ceremonies and Traditions: Caring for Javanese Cultural Heritage

3. The Performance of Arjuna Kalajaya Shadow Puppet Show

Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace, in collaboration with Kridhamardawa Kawedanan, presents Ringgit Wacucal Sedalu Natas on Sunday, November 19, in observance of National and World Puppetry Day (2023), which falls on November 7.

The performance marks the 80th anniversary of Yuswa Dalem Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawono the 10th. Presented by puppeteer Mas Lurah Cermo Handoko, this all-night shadow puppet show tells the narrative of Arjuna Kalajaya.

It takes place at the Kagungan Dalem Gedhong Sasana Hinggil Dwi Abad, which is situated north of the South Alun-Alun Yogyakarta.

The life of Raden Harjuna is told by Arjuna Kalajaya, starting with his birth and concluding with his ascent to the heavenly realm’s throne under the name Prabu Kariti/Kalithi.

The narrative starts when the gods grant Prabu Pandu in Hastinapura a boon, and his wife bears a gorgeous son named Raden Harjuna (Permadi).

At the same time, a baby boy named Raden Setyaki from the Yadawa clan and a gorgeous baby girl named Dewi Wara Sembadra are born in the Kingdom of Mandura.

Raden Harjuna develops into a striking and formidable warrior during his travels, and he eventually weds Dewi Wara Sembadra.

The Gedhong Sasana Hinggil is the venue for this public all-night shadow puppet performance.

Not only did this performance spark a lot of attention locally, but the community also responded well to the internet broadcast of it. About 500 people saw the performance on the day it took place on the Kraton Jogja YouTube channel.

They came from all over the world, including Argentina and the United States, as well as from domestic locations including Pekalongan, Cirebon, Malang, Lampung, Pekanbaru, and Riau. In addition to the Indonesian diaspora living overseas, a number of foreign spectators were also noticed at the Gedhong Sasana Hinggil, both in person and online.

4. Beksan Ajisaka in Peace & Harmony 2024

On Friday, January 19, at 19:00 WIB, the Yogyakarta Palace presented the Beksan Ajisaka to bring life to the Peace & Harmony 2024 event called “Jogja Asyik, Jogja Bermusik, Untuk Indonesia Apik”.

The venue for the event was Yogyakarta’s Zero Kilometer Point. Ndarboy Genk, Orkes Sinten Remen featuring Trie Utami, and Senandung Nusantara were among the other performers that stood out.

With assistance from the DIY Regional Police and DIY Regional Government, 16 communities in the Malioboro area, including street vendors, pedicab drivers, Senthir Market, Andong, and others, came together to create Peace & Harmony.

Ngarsa Dalem personally selected the Beksan Ajisaka to attend the function.

Ten male dancers, eight of whom are dressed as punggawa (attendants) and two of whom are dressed as Ajisaka figures, who stand for the qualities of humanity and divinity, execute this dance, which was created by Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawono the tenth.

Inspired by Ngarsa Dalem’s own Serat Ajisaka, Beksan Ajisaka is considered the meaning of the Javanese characters (Ha, Na, Ca, Ra, Ka, etc.).

The deep meanings uncovered in the Javanese characters are then used to educate others about how humans are God’s most perfect creation.

This dance also acts as a memorial to past occurrences that can be thought about in light of the present and future. Even though it poured heavily while the show was going on, the audience’s excitement to see it all through did not waver.

Read more: Creating Memories with Family: 10 Yogyakarta Tourism for Family Fun

5. Kagungan Dalem Wahanarata Offers New Palace Tourism Experience Through Digital Innovations

Kagungan Dalem Wahanarata has undergone renovation; it was once the Royal Chariot Museum. These days, it showcases sedan chairs and palanquins in addition to historic chariots.

Visitors to Wahanarata can take advantage of a variety of historical and culturally-rich information as well as cutting-edge digital experience options.

Come to Life, Catch and Run Games, and augmented reality (AR) picture booths are the three digital attractions that are ready for guests.

Wahanarata is one of the options for kid-friendly educational tourism because of the availability of these electronic devices. Naturally, cultural considerations still guide all digital advancements.

GKR Bendara also emphasized that Wahanarata’s digital innovations should serve a diverse range of patrons, including youngsters, rather than just adults.

Consequently, the creation of digitally interactive attractions at Wahanarata is concentrated on offering kids educational experiences while they are there.

The Wahanarata unit’s launch is another initiative to promote July 23rd, National Children’s Day, which is honored on that day each year.

Read more: The Lineage of the Yogyakarta Palace, From the Beginning to the Present

6. Participated in International Arts Performance Fetival, Jogjakarfest

For the fourth time, the Yogyakarta Palace will take part in the International Jogja Karawitan Festival (Jogjakarfest) in 2023 through the Kridhamardawa Kawedanan.

The Indonesian Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta’s Faculty of Performing Arts’ Karawitan Study Program is in charge of organizing the worldwide karawitan festival known as Jogjakarfest.

The 2023 International Jogjakarfest, themed “Karawitan Equilibrium Between Science and Art,” was held in a hybrid format from November 30 to December 1. The Yogyakarta Palace appeared as the first act of the second online session of the Virtual Performance.

Many years have gone since the global epidemic struck, and the Yogyakarta Palace has participated in past Jogjakarfest celebrations by showcasing works with a recurring theme. Some compositions, including Ladrang Mega Banjaran (2022) and Gendhing Gati Panglebur Pelasah (2021), functioned as situational markers.

As things begin to gradually return to normal in 2023, the Yogyakarta Palace composes pieces that are marked by happiness or pretense.

Ketawang Rasa Maya is provided with Gendhing Danasmara, which means to give or spread love/care for others.

This year’s performance was made even more joyful by Ketawang Rasa Maya, which is best described as a lovely and breathtaking emotion that is beyond words.

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