Resurrection of a Javanese Court Dance

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

HE is known as Pangeran Samber Nyawa. He is Mangkunegara I, founder of the Magkunegaran dynasty. In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the dynasty Pura Mangkunegafan has reconstructed Bedhaya Dirodo Meto, a dance of his creation.

Here is a classical court dance that has not been performed for over the past 200 years. Little records are available on the choreography and musical accompaniment of the dance.

How did Pura Mangkunegaran reconstruct Bedhaya Dirodo Meto, the Raging Elephants? What is its significance as an identity of Pura Mangkunegaran? Tempo looks into the rediscovery of the long-lost dance.

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Njeng Pangeran Dipati Mangkunagara Nindhihi ing ajurit Mangamuk anyakra gandewanya lir kilat.

SEVEN male warriors armed with three-pronged spears and bows and arrows dance their way onto the stage. Blangkon on their heads and slempang across their bodies, the men are dressed in black dodot alas-alasan, a cloth with motifs of turtles, birds, and trees painted in gold—the symbol of driving away evil spirits.

The choreographic patterns of the

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