Classical Dance Performance “Langen Mataya Bedhayan Gandrungmanis” A Success, Receives Appreciation from Art Lovers
JAKARTA-JAYA NEWS.COM – The classical dance performance titled “Langen Mataya Bedhayan Gandrungmanis” is a performance that carries the spirit of revitalizing and exploring classical Javanese dance in the Surakarta style.
This performance featured the Bedhaya Gandrungmanis dance, which was based on the research exhibition process of Naufal Anggito Yudhistira’s dissertation (doctoral program in literature – Faculty of Cultural Sciences, University of Indonesia – ed.) on the extinct Bedhaya Gandrungmanis.
This experimental performance, a reactualization of the Bedhaya Gandrungmanis dance—a work by Pakubuana VIII—was performed successfully and received high praise from art lovers and observers (dance!) and the audience in the 4th-floor multipurpose room of the National Library Building on Jl. Medan Merdeka, Central Jakarta, last Sunday afternoon (October 26, 2025).
It involved various young dancers and musicians from Jakarta and the surrounding areas.
“This performance, in collaboration with young dancers from Jakarta and the Sekar Widya Makara Karawitan Student Activity Unit (UKM) of the University of Indonesia (UI), is part of a field research effort and embodies one of the lost treasures of Surakarta-style classical dance,” said Doctoral Candidate Naufal Anggito Yudhistira in a special interview in Jakarta on Monday morning (October 27, 2025).
According to him, the process of excavating this dance began with data mining from the Serat Sindhen Gendhing Badhaya Sarimpi, owned by the University of Indonesia Library, written by GPH Prabuwinata, the last son of Sinuhun Pakubuwana IX, who was also one of the dance and gamelan masters at the Surakarta Palace.
The excavation of the Sindhenan text was carried out by combining six different manuscripts from the Surakarta Palace, the UI Library, and the Mangkunegaran Palace.
In addition, initial data collection was conducted through interviews, observations, and discussions with the elders of Surakarta-style Javanese dance in Jakarta, namely Karsono H Saputra, Ely D Lutan, and KP Sulistyo Tirtokusumo.
The pre-dance process for the dance began with a pilgrimage to Parangkusuma Beach, a beach in the Yogyakarta region often used for important ceremonies at the Surakarta and Yogyakarta Palaces.
Furthermore, a pilgrimage was also conducted to the tomb of RNg Ranggawarsita and the graves of ancestors.
Field research was conducted in Surakarta for approximately one month.
During the month-long data collection, extensive information was obtained from Rudy Wiratama (a puppeteer for gedhog puppetry), Suraji (a gamelan master), KBRAy Siti Hidayati Proboadinagoro (daughter of GPH Prabuwinata), Sri Setyoasih (head of Bedhaya Village at the Surakarta Palace), GKR Wandansari Koes Moertiyah (palace dance maestro and head of the Sasana Wilapa Surakarta Palace), Kristian H (a gamelan musician), and Lumbini Trihasto (a gamelan musician).
“The rehearsal process lasted six months and was a very long process. Intensive rehearsals were conducted for three months leading up to the performance. Ely D. Luthan, one of the senior dancers and one of the experts in Bedhaya-Srimpi, also attended several rehearsals leading up to the performance. He provided extensive input on choreography, technique, and appreciation during the rehearsals,” said Naufal Anggito Yudhistira, also known as a dancer and choreographer and actively writes traditional Javanese literature.
“According to him, Bedhaya presents difficulties not only in memorizing movements, duration, and stamina, but also in internalizing the dancers. Dancers are constantly taught to surrender to God and strive to unite their energies,” he added.
From a musical perspective, composing the gendhing (piece of music) was also challenging. Almost all of the musicians in this performance are between 18 and 25 years old and are not from the palace orchestra.
“Learning the rich musical accompaniment to the Bedhaya dance was a challenge in itself. This challenge was particularly related to vocal stamina, which had to be maintained continuously for approximately 40 minutes. Furthermore, experiencing the serene accompaniment to the Bedhaya Gandrungmanis dance was a challenge in itself,” said the man born in Jakarta on September 9, 1999, and son of Wiwik Pratiwi.
The musical rehearsal process was also assisted by Ngatiman, a senior musician in Jakarta.
Forming a Collaboration
The performance, held in the multipurpose room on the fourth floor of the new National Library building last Sunday (October 26, 2025), was also attended by Agung Kriswanto, Deputy Director of the National Library of Indonesia, academics from the University of Indonesia, dancers, cultural observers, and literacy activists.
The performance, which was preceded by remarks from the Director of the National Library, Prof. Dr. H. Endang Aminuddin Azis, MA (represented by the editor), demonstrated that the world of performing arts and literature can collaborate in the creative process of exploring classical dance.
During the performance, Naufal Anggito Yudhistira provided an introduction and presentation Bedhaya Gandrungmanis.
The performance proceeded successfully, without any significant obstacles, and received immediate appreciation from the audience and guests during the Q&A session.
The event also featured a discussion of the work by the promoter, co-promoters, and maestro of Bedhaya dance, with Naufal Anggito Yudhistira, known as the author of “Serat Panji Pudhak Lelana” and “Editing the Kakawin Lambang Pralambang Text.”
Appreciation was extended not only to Naufal Anggito Yudhistira as the researcher, but also to the trainers and advisors, the dancers, and all the musicians.
“The continuity and success of this event are also inseparable from the involvement of the committee, relatives, and cultural observers who helped make this performance possible,” he concluded. (***)
Contributor: Lasman Simanjuntak
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