Wayang Kulit Gedhog Performance to Precede Mubeng Beteng Ritual at Keraton Jogja

The Keraton Jogja will not only hold the Hajad Kawula Dalem Lampah Budaya Mubeng Beteng to commemorate the eve of 1 Suro. A Wayang Gedhog performance is planned to take place before the Mubeng Beteng ritual. This Ringgit Wacucal Gedhog performance is organised by the Kawedanan Kridhamardawa of the Karaton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat to celebrate the Javanese New Year 1 Sura Be 1960. The performance will be led by puppeteer MB. Cermo Gupito, an Abdi Dalem puppeteer of Kawedanan Kridhamardawa who serves as the production leader. “Usually, to welcome the Javanese New Year, the Paguyuban Abdi Dalem organises the Hajad Kawula Dalem Mubeng Beteng,” explained Cermo Gupito. “This year, we from Kawedanan Kridhamardawa are participating in the celebration by presenting a Wayang Gedhog performance before the Mubeng Beteng cultural procession takes place,” he continued. According to Cermo Gupito, Wayang Gedhog is a unique and rare type of shadow puppet performance because it features the Panji cycle of stories, rather than the Mahabharata or Ramayana like Wayang Purwa. Wayang Gedhog is one of the Keraton Jogja’s rare asset collections and is now very seldom performed in the Yogyakarta region. This performance also aims to introduce and preserve Wayang Gedhog. “Through this series of events, the public can interpret the puppet performance as a means of seeking ‘sangu’ for self-introspection, because puppet stories certainly contain many life philosophies,” Cermo Gupito explained. The performance will present the Panji story with the play ‘Jaya Berdangga’ and will last approximately four hours, from 7 PM to 11 PM WIB. The play tells of Raden Panji’s efforts in disguise to fulfil the request of his pregnant wife, Sari Swara Renggani Jagad, for the sake of the future of the Jenggala and Kediri kingdoms. Many temptations and obstacles arise in the Kediri Palace due to the actions of commanders from across the sea, ranging from hindering Raden Panji’s efforts to daring to propose to Dewi Sekartaji. Through Raden Panji’s persistence in his disguise, the request is fulfilled at the same time as the birth of the baby boy carried by Dewi Sekartaji. “The selection of this Wayang Gedhog performance certainly considered that the story is no less interesting than Wayang Purwa. The Panji tale ‘Jaya Berdangga’ was chosen because the weight and content of the story are very complex and closely related to the realities of Javanese life,” Cermo Gupito elaborated. “It teaches about life’s struggles, loyalty to one’s partner, educates the public about the gamelan production process, and finally presents and recalls the concept of the fertility of the land of Java contained in Wayang Gedhog, namely Raden Panji Asmarabangun with Dewi Sekartaji or Candra Kirana,” he continued. The performance will be broadcast live via the Kraton Jogja YouTube channel. However, the public is also permitted to watch it in person at Kagungan Dalem Bangsal Kamandungan Kidul of the Karaton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, located near Alun-Alun Kidul, directly behind or north of Gedhong Sasana Hinggil Dwi Abad. The event is open to the public and free of charge without reservation; attendees simply need to dress freely, neatly, and politely. After watching the puppet performance, the public can also join the Abdi Dalem procession from Kagungan Dalem Kamandungan Kidul to Kagungan Dalem Bangsal Pancaniti. “Because the puppet performance only runs until 11 PM WIB, members of the public who wish to join the Hajad Kawula Dalem Lampah Budaya Mubeng Beteng can certainly continue to participate in that activity afterwards,” Cermo Gupito concluded.