November 11, 2018 Asia Society, New York

E. H. Wallop photography

NEW YORK, November 11, 2018 — In conjunction with a visit from Hamengkubuwono X, the Sultan of Yogyakarta in Indonesia, musicians and dancers from the sultan’s court perform traditional dances at Asia Society New York. The first part of the program included golek menak, a dance inspired by stick-puppet theater (wayang golek) popular in rural areas of Yogyakarta, and wayang wong (“mask dance fragment”), a ritual affirmation of the power of the court first created by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I.

Music and Dance of Yogyakarta: Mask and Puppet Dances

Golek Menak Umarmaya Umarmadi dancers: KRT. Condrowasesa; KMT. Suryawasesa
Masked Dance Fragment (Wayang Wong) “Klana Sewandana Gandrung” dancers: RA Putria Retna Pudyastuti; RJ Widadasilamataya; RRy Surya Amiluhur; RJ Alisasmintaprabamataya

All images – E. H. Wallop photography

Bedhaya: The Epitome of Javanese Dance

Gamelan Kusuma Laras performs with musicians and dancers from the court of Hamengkubuwono X,

Sultan of Yogyakarta, perform a traditional Indonesian dance.

In the second half of the program, nine female dancers performed bedhaya, the classical dance replete with Javanese symbols and philosophies. Bedhaya Sang Amurwabhumi, performed here, is a dance that expresses the will of a king. The creation of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, Bedhaya Sang Amurwabhumi marks the arrival of a new king and commemorates the legacy of his father, the previous Sultan Hamengkuwubono IX.

Dancers: Tri Indriastuti; Satwika Rahapsar; GKR. Mangkubumi; GKR. Hayu; Raras Lukitaningrum; Keshari Adiarastri Piloessulka; Nyi RW. Artyandariretnamataya; Nyi MJ. Rahmayanilalitamataya; Nyi RJ. Widyadinghyaumataya