Yogyakarta's art and culture exhibited in Jakarta

Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

The Yogyakarta palace will reveal the intricacies of its cultural wealth in an exhibition at the historic Galangan VOC building, in Sunda Kelapa, North Jakarta, next week.

Raden Mas Dinoesatomo from Keraton Yogyakarta said that the palace will present traditional costumes, largely made from batik as the focus of the three-day event.

Batik motifs are usually more than mere patterns. In Yogyakarta, such motifs are richly symbolic and reserved for kings and members of aristocracy, such as the parang rusak (broken sword) motif.

At that time, batik indicated the social status of the wearer. Making batik was a way to teach people about ethics and the philosophy of life.

Unfortunately, few people are currently knowledgeable enough to tell the difference between Yogyakarta batik and those made in other provinces. Worse, there is a lack of support from public figures for the development of batik.

This has prompted three organization, the Yayasan Guntur Madu, the Yogyakarta society in Jakarta and the National Handicraft Council of Yogyakarta to stage the event starting from Sept. 12.

According to Sumono Wibowo of the handicraft council, Yogyakarta batik should be promoted because many batik lovers have lost interest in it. The conception is that Yogyakarta batik is just like any other.

Batik designers who will take part in the event's fashion show are Ardiyanto Pranata, Affif Syakur and Nita Azhar.

Visitors will also be entertained by a series of court dances staged by the Yogyakarta Palace, Pura Pakualaman (Pakualaman Court) and the Yogyakarta provincial government.

On the first day, a classical dance Bedhaya Sang Amurwabumi, created by Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and the Banda Baya dance choreographed by Paku Alam IV from Pura Pakualaman will be performed.

A drama/dance Srikandi Mustakaweni from Pura Pakualaman and Golek Menak Dewi Widaningsih -- Dewi Renggani a dance created by Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX will be the highlight of the second day.

The third day will feature Tari Golek Pamularsih a dance from the Yogyakarta administration; the Bangilon dance from Kulon Progo regency; the Kethek Ogleng dance from Gunung Kidul regency; the Montro dance from Bantul regency; the Tugu Wasesa dance, created by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I from Yogyakarta administration; and Gora Waseso a dance from Sleman regency.

The event will also feature a fashion show, art performances and an exhibition of handicrafts from various parts of Yogyakarta. There will also be a seminar on the development of Yogyakarta batik in the global market.

Visitors will also be able to learn about the process of making batik and various handicrafts, such as blangkon (traditional male headdress); the silver crafts of Kota Gede; the pottery of Kasongan, Bantul; handicrafts made from white stones and the wooden masks of Gunung Kidul; the bed covers of Sleman and dongklak; and the handicrafts of Kulon Progo made from bamboo roots.

Chairwoman of the National Handicraft Council of Yogyakarta, Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hemas, who is also wife of the Yogyakarta King -- Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X -- said all handicraft centers in Yogyakarta municipality and regencies in the province will participate in the event, which is expected to attract a lot of buyers.

The goods that will be displayed include furniture made of enceng gondok (a kind of water hyacinth) and pelepah pisang (layers of banana trunks); bicycle and becak miniatures made from brass; as well as various accessories made from batik.

"Those products have long been exported to many countries. But since the Bali bombing tragedy, there has been a decline in the demand from the international market. This is because we used to depend on Bali to reach the foreign consumers. Now we have to sell them directly and can no longer depend on any other province," Ratu Hemas said.

A number of ambassadors, their staff and families are expected to attend the opening ceremony.

"To make the opening ceremony more colorful, the guests from foreign embassies are requested to wear batik clothes prepared by the organizing committee," Sumono said.