Gamelan, A Musical Ensemble From Indonesia The Javanese Orchestra

Gamelan is the music created by the sound of gongs alloys, kenong and other Javanese musical instruments. The rhythm of the music that is soft and reflects the harmony of Javanese life will soon greet and soothe the soul so heard. Gamelan is surely not a foreign music. Its popularity has spread to various continents and has created a new blend of jazz-gamelan music, gave birth to the institution as a learning space and the expression of gamelan music, to produce famous gamelan musicians. Gamelan music instrument can now be enjoyed in many parts of the world, but Yogyakarta is the most appropriate place to enjoy the gamelan is it since you can enjoy the original version.

Developing gamelan in Yogyakarta is Javanese gamelan, a different form of gamelan Balinese gamelan or Sundanese gamelan. Javanese gamelan has a softer tone and slow, in contrast to the dynamic Balinese gamelan and Sundanese gamelan highly dominated lilting voice and flute. The difference is understandable, because Java has its own view of life expressed in the rhythm of gamelan music.

Javanese philosophy of life expressed in gamelan music is the harmony of physical and spiritual life, speak and act in harmony in order not to create an explosive expression and to manifest tolerance. Real form of music is the pull string fiddle that is, a balanced blend of sound kenong, saron drum and xylophone and gong sounds on every cover of a rhythm.

There is no definite history of gamelan. The development of gamelan music is expected since the emergence of rafters, fiddle, pat into the mouth, the friction on a thin rope or bamboo to familiar musical instruments from metal. Subsequent developments after named gamelan music was used to accompany the leather puppet show and dances. Later it became independent as the music itself and are equipped with voice sinden.

A set of gamelan consist of several instruments, including a set of similar musical instrument drum called drums, fiddle and zither, xylophone, gongs and bamboo flutes. The main components that make up the gamelan music instruments are bamboo, metal, and wood. Each instrument has its own function in gamelan music show, for example gong music played to close a long and gave the balance after the previous musical rhythm was decorated by gending.

Javanese gamelan is music with pentatonic melodies. A complete gamelan game consists of two rounds, namely slendro and pelog. Slendro has five tones per octave, ie 1 2 3 5 6 [C-D E + GA] with small differences in the interval. Pelog has seven tones per octave, ie 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 [C + D E-F # G # AB] with a large difference interval. Gamelan music compositions created by some rules, which consist of several rounds and pathet, limited by a gong and the melodies were created in a unit consisting of four tones.

You can see gamelan as an independent music performance or a dance or performing arts such as wayang kulit and ketoprak. As a performance, gamelan music is usually combined with the sound of the Javanese singers (male singers and female singers called wiraswara called waranggana or sinden). Gamelan music concert performance can be classical or contemporary gamelan. One form of contemporary gamelan music is jazz-gamelan music as a combination of pentatonic and diatonic melodies.

One of the places in Yogyakarta where you can see is the Kraton Yogyakarta gamelan performances. On Thursday at 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. gamelan as a music performance. Day Saturday at the same time as the accompaniment of gamelan music performed shadow puppet show, while on Sunday at the same time as the accompaniment of gamelan music performed traditional Javanese dance. To see the show, you can go to the Hall of Sri Maganti. Meanwhile, in order to see the old gamelan, you can go to another of the kingdom which lies further to the rear.

The Beauty of Batik Pekalongan

Talking about batik, as if there will be no end, all kinds of Central Javanese batik motifs and how to take care of batik cloth, now we are slightly shifted up towards the north coast of Java, Pekalongan. In this city, the traffic is very high batik trade is extraordinary. They not only accept batik influenced by motives court with kawung colors. Before any further, be helpful to know in advance whether it was true batik technique.


Batik originated from the Javanese word "amba", meaning to write and "nitik". Batik is a technique of creating color by using canting or cap. Then a cloth dipped in color barrier material that is malam (wax), so the dye does not enter. In the English language known as wax-resist dyeing. Coastal Pekalongan batik style and composition has a richer color. Batik patterns are usually adapted to regional circumstances. Like Coastal Batik Pekalongan, symbolizes the motive was nuanced coast. For example marine floral and marine animals. Another case with the dominant Javanese Batik with motives lines, boxes, and other geometrical construction. Although the form of stalks, flowers, and animals still dominate.


Batik pattern in this region heavily influenced by the culture of Demak thick with the culture of Islam and also the traders who came. No wonder if then they can receive all kinds of colors and images that could finally show their open attitude. Until the early 20th century known batik process is then developed batik with batik stamp at the time of World War raged. Keep in mind also almost all Batik Pekalongan elements include flowers and birds into Hong batik patterns. This pattern is influenced by China. Then why coastal batik motif is more diverse and rich? Many experts argue that batik is because society is much more open beach so brave to express yourself.

Founded Mendut By Dynasty Sailendra On 8th Century AD

Mendut temple is located at the east of the straight line triad temple (Borobudur, Pawon, Mendut). This temple was founded by the dynasty and set berlakang Syailendra Buddhism, where it is shown in the form of the stupa there are 48 pieces in the atasnya.Tidak known exactly when this temple was founded. But a Dutch archaeological inscription mentions that found in didesa KARANGTENGAH bertarikh 824M Indra argued that the king had built the shrine called venunava which means bamboo forests. If this is true then surely Mendut founded in the 8th century AD.

On the inside of this temple there is a room containing the altar where the three statues of Buddha stands. All three statues are starting from the far left is Vajravani Bodhisattva, the Buddha Sakyamuni and Bodhisattva. These three Buddha statues are still in good condition, some flowers and incense seems dibagian lying underneath. An iron fence was built the statue of the front to avoid excessive visitor interaction / was not concerned over this third Buddha statue. Reliefs found on temple walls are still clearly visible form / engraving. Relief contains the story of the moral teachings using animal characters (fables) as characters. There is a story of "Brahmins and Crab", "Goose and Turtle", "Two Birds of a Different Betet" and "Dharmabuddhi and Dustabuddhi", the contents of the story briefly is as follows.

"Brahmins and Kepeting": Telling the story of a Brahmin who saved a crab for the crab is then returned the favor with a way to save the Brahmin from the disruption of crows and snakes. "Goose and Turtle": Talking about a tortoise who was flown two geese kedanau new. Because emotions in speech responded to what they do, the tortoise, so let go the ground and eventually fall off. "Two Birds of a Different Betet": tells the parrot behavior of two very different because it only brought up by the Brahmins and the other by a highwayman. "Dharmabuddhi and Dustabuddhi": Two different friends Dustabuddhi behavior which has accused the despicable nature Dharmabuddhi behave abominably, but eventually discovered and Dustabudhi crime nor sentenced.

Chronologically, Mendut discovered in 1836. Later in the year renovation in 1897 and 1904 at the temple of the body but the results are less satisfactory. In the year 1908 archaeologists restored again by the Dutch until the top can be rearranged. In 1925 a number of stupas that have dirapihkan, installed and reassembled. Building area as a whole is 13.7 X13, 7 height 26.4 meters meterdengan.

Prambanan Hindu Temple In The Most Beautiful World

Prambanan temple is incredibly beautiful building built in the 10th century during the reigns of two kings, and Rakai Rakai Pikatan Balitung. Rose as high as 47 feet (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the establishment of this temple has fulfilled the desire maker, shows the triumph of Hinduism in Java. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, in the middle of the area that is now a beautiful park.

There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. Once, a man named Bandung Bondowoso loved Roro Jonggrang. Because no love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso make 1000 temples with statues in one night. The request was nearly fulfilled before Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and make a big fire that created an atmosphere like the morning. New Bondowoso can make 999 statues cursed Jonggrang into the statue in 1000 because he felt cheated. Prambanan temple has 3 main temples in the main yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. These three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face east. Each main temple has Accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Swan to Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition, there are still squeeze 2 temple, the temple curtain 4, and 4 corner temples. Meanwhile, the second page had 224 temples.

Entering the Shiva temple located in the middle and the highest building, you will find a room 4. One main room contains a statue of Shiva, while the other 3 rooms each containing a statue of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga is mentioned as the statue of Roro Jonggrang described in the legend above. In the Vishnu temple is located in the north of Shiva temple, you will only see one room containing a statue of Vishnu. Similarly, the Brahma temple located on the south side of Shiva temple, you will only find one room with a statue of Brahma. Accompanying temple is Garuda temple Lure is located near the Vishnu temple. This temple save the story of a half-bird figure named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology, who was gold, white-faced, red-winged, beaked and winged like an eagle. Estimated, the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu figure (means 'rises' or 'shine', usually associated with the god Re) in ancient Egyptian mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda can save his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's brother who was born Handicapped) by stealing Tirta Amrita (holy water of the gods).

The ability to save was admired by many people until now and used for various purposes. Indonesia used it to sign the state. That said, the creator of the emblem of Garuda Pancasila find inspiration in this temple. Other countries also use it to sign the country is Thailand, with the same reason but adaptation forms and different appearance. In Thailand, Garuda is known as Pha recruited or recruited. Prambanan temple also has a load relief of the Ramayana story. According to experts, the relief was similar to the Ramayana story is revealed through oral traditions. Another interesting relief of Kalpataru tree is that the Hindu religion is considered as a tree of life, sustainability and environmental compatibility. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described lions flanking the center. The existence of this tree makes experts consider that the 9th century have wisdom in managing the environment.

Just as the figure of Garuda, Kalpataru is now also used for various purposes. In Indonesia, Kalpataru became a symbol of the Earth (WALHI). In fact, some scientists in Bali to develop the concept of Tri Hita Karana for environmental conservation by seeing Kalpataru relief in this temple. Tree of life also can be found in the mountains that used to open the puppet arts. A proof that the relief panels in Prambanan has worldwide. If careful, you can also see various birds relief, this time a real bird. Bird reliefs at Prambanan so natural that biologists can identify them even to genus level. One was relief of the Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) that invite questions. Why, the bird is only found in The goats Island, an island in the Java Sea. Then, whether the species was once numerous in Yogyakarta? Please find out the answer myself. Because, until now no one who can solve the mystery.

Well, there are many more to be unearthed at Prambanan. You must not tire of course. If it was finally exhausted, you can rest in the garden around the temple. Interested? Come immediately. Since September 18, 2006, you can enter the zone 1 Prambanan not even get into the temple. Some of the damage caused by the earthquake May 27, 2006 and is now being repaired.

Borobudur World Wonder Heritages

Who does not know Candi Borobudur? This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in the complex. Millions of people longing to visit the buildings included in this World Wonder Heritages. Not surprisingly, since architecturally and functionally, as a place of worship, Borobudur is attractive.

Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, Sailendra descendants. Based on Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur is a place of worship which was completed May 26 824, nearly a hundred years since the early days was built. The name of Borobudur itself according to some people means a mountain having terraces (budhara), while the other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high places.

Borobudur-shaped building berundak punden consists of 10 levels. Height 42 meters before being renovated and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as a drag. Six lowest level and square in the upper three floors and a circular highest level of Buddhist stupa facing to the west. Each level represents the stage of human life. In accordance with of Buddha Mahayana, anyone who wants to reach the level of Buddha must go through each of those life stages.

The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizing human beings that are still bound by lust. Four levels mentioned above represents Rupadhatu humans who have set themselves free from lust but still tied to appearance and shape. At these levels, a statue of Buddha placed in open space. Meanwhile, three levels above where the Buddhist stupa placed in the holes is called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been freed from lust, appearance, and shape. The top part is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.

Each terrace has beautiful relief panels showing how skillful. Relief that will be read by coherently when you walk in a clockwise direction (toward the left of the entrance of the temple). The relief panels tell the legendary story of Ramayana. In addition, there are relief panels describing the condition of society at that time. For example, relief of farmers' activity reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat representing the advance of the time the cruise was centered in Bergotta (Semarang).

All relief panels in Borobudur temple reflect the teachings of the Buddha. Hence, this temple functions as educating the media for people who want to learn Buddhism. YogYES invites you to walk through each narrow passage in Borobudur in order to understand the philosophy of Buddhism. Atisha, a Buddhist from India in the 10th century, had visited the temple that was built 3 centuries before Angkor Wat in Cambodia and 4 centuries before the Grand Cathedrals in Europe.

Thanks to visiting Borobudur and having Buddhist manuscripts from Serlingpa (King of Sriwijaya), Atisha was able to develop Buddhism. He became head of Vikramasila monastery and taught Tibetans of practicing Dharma. Six scripts from any Serlingpa reduced to a core doctrine called "The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment" or better known by the name Bodhipathapradipa.

Traditional Music Instrument Gamelan Of Java

Gamelan is surely not a foreign music. It has been popular in most continents and has created new music of jazz-gamelan, gave birth to the institution as a learning space and the expression of gamelan music, to produce famous gamelan musicians. Gamelan music instrument can now be enjoyed in many parts of the world, but Yogyakarta is the most appropriate place to enjoy the gamelan it since you can enjoy the original version.



Gamelan developing in Yogyakarta is Javanese gamelan, a different form of gamelan Balinese gamelan or Sundanese gamelan. Javanese gamelan has a softer tone and slow, unlike dynamic Balinese gamelan and Sundanese gamelan lilting flute and voice dominated. The difference is reasonable, since Java has its own view of life that is expressed in the rhythm of gamelan music.

Javanese worldview expressed in gamelan music is the harmony of physical and spiritual, harmony in talking and acting so as not to create an expression that explosive and create tolerance. Being real in his music is the pull string fiddle that is, a balanced blend of sound kenong, saron drums and xylophone and a gong sounds on every cover of rhythm.


There is no definite history of gamelan. Development of gamelan music is expected since the emergence of wide band, fiddle, tap on the mouth, the friction on the cord or thin bamboo until the introduction of metal musical instruments. Further development after named gamelan, the music was used to accompany wayang performance, and dance. Time was not until later on some independent music and equipped with the voice of the sinden.

A set of gamelan consists of several instruments, including a set of similar musical instrument drum called drums, fiddle and zither, xylophone, gongs and bamboo flutes. The main components that make up musical instruments in the gamelan is bamboo, metal, and wood. Each instrument has its own function in gamelan music show, for example, closing a gong played music and gave long after the previous balance was decorated by the rhythm of the music gising.

Javanese gamelan is music with pentatonic melodies. A complete gamelan game consists of two rounds, namely slendro and pelog. Slendro has 5 tones per octave, ie 1 2 3 5 6 [C-D E + GA] with a small interval difference. Pelog has 7 tones per octave, ie 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 [C + D E-F # G # AB] with a large difference intervals. Gamelan music composition created with some rules, which consist of several rounds and pathet, bordered by a gong and the melodies were created in a unit consisting of 4 tones.

You can see gamelan as an independent music performance as well as a dance or performance arts such as wayang kulit and ketoprak. As a performance, gamelan music is usually combined with the voices of the singers of Java (called wiraswara male singers and female singers called waranggana or sinden). Gamelan music performances that performance can be classic or contemporary gamelan. One form of contemporary gamelan music is jazz-gamelan as a combination of music with pentatonic and diatonic.

One of the places in Yogyakarta where you can see the performance of gamelan is the sultan's palace. On Thursday at 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. gamelan as a music performance. On Saturday at the same time held the gamelan music as accompaniment shadow puppets, while on Sunday at the same time held the gamelan music as a traditional Javanese dance accompanist. To see the show, you can go to the Hall of Sri Maganti. Meanwhile, in order to see the old gamelan, you can go to another hall of the kingdom which lies further to the rear.

Wayang Kulit Traditional Culture

As the name implies, shadow puppets are made from animal skin (buffalo, cow or goat). Shadow puppets are used to perform the play from the Chronicle Lakon Purwa the Mahabharata and Ramayana, is therefore also called Wayang Purwa.


Until now the leather puppet show in addition to an entertainment facility is also one part of traditional ceremonies such as: clean village, ngruwat and others. To perform a puppet show complete required less support as many as 18 people. One person as the mastermind, 2 people as waranggana or sinden, and 15 people as gamelan wiraswara concurrently. If done during the day show usually starts from Jam 09.00 to 16:00 hrs.Place puppet show organized by using the concept of abstract stage.

Arena stage consists of a screen of white cloth and as a technical tool bar is placed beneath a banana to stick puppets. In the leather puppet show, the number of scenes in a play can not be determined. The amount of this scene will vary based on the play displayed or hung behind it. As the pre-spectacle is tetabuhan that had nothing to do with the main story, so just be as heated air or introductory course for entry into the actual show.



In the leather puppet show, the number of scenes in a play can not be determined. The amount of this scene will vary based on the play displayed or hung behind it. As the pre-spectacle is tetabuhan that had nothing to do with the main story, so just be as heated air or introductory course for entry into the actual show. As a guideline in presenting puppet shows are usually a puppeteer will use the standard form of puppetry puppetry books. But there is also the mastermind who uses records from the old puppeteers whose knowledge acquired through descent. However, a puppeteer also given the opportunity to improvise, because the standard puppetry is actually only contains the main story is just the heart. To further liven and make the performance more interesting, improvisation and creative mastermind holds a very important role.Makeup color on the leather puppet has symbolic meaning, but there is no general rule here.

Makeup colors such as red for the face, most indicate the nature of anger, but the figure has Setyaki color red makeup of anger is not. So the puppet character is not determined by the color of makeup, but also determined by other elements, such as shape (patron) puppet itself.Figure Arjuna, both which have the color black and yellow face, is still Arjuna with nature that we have known. Color difference like this face to distinguish space and time appearance.



Arjuna with the color yellow face for a scene staged in the palace, while Arjuna with the color black face indicates that he was on his way. Similarly, figures Ghatotkacha, Krishna, Werkudara and others. Puppet face color difference will not be known by the audience who saw the show from behind the scenes.Lighting tools used in the leather puppet show from the past until now has been amended in accordance with technological developments. In the original form of lighting equipment used in the leather puppet show is blencong, then evolved into kerosene lamp (keceran), petromak, now many use electric lights.

tour dives at karimun java

Jepara – of so much many islands in indonesia, may be new one fourth it that diving tour place. one of them that gone beyond archipelago karimun java, at central java. potentially island white sandy botabene, ship dead body diving tour (wreck memve) and place breeding developers of shark, fitting tour has dived at this archipelago seriouser has been developed the existence.

necessary time six clocks wades sea to arrive at piece. karimun when leave from jepara by water that filled seafish aroma and all household need unimportant things that brought a large part piece occupant. karimun java that come along at ship whom we board. our aim is p. kemojan, place basecamp we are later during do expedition activity there for a few day.

mother pepe, pawnbroker whom we make residence smile friendly moment we arrive with various diving need goods. make this mother, that thing not new matter. really the house also bearby office lsm ”alam karimun” always be transit place before do diving at karimun java.



breeding developers shark

besides memve at wreck and enjoy the white sand at p. middle, there again potential tour other that can be made maritime tour activity supporting exist in piece. karimun this java. one of them penangkaran shark at p. deer. location p. deer not far from p. kemojan make us only vacate time one day to and from there.



recorded there around 6 shark fishes exist in penangkaran. likely very attractive see shark fish, they say very savage, before very eyes and near also.
when visit to return all potential kind exist in piece. karimun java, only two akhirlah up to now new menyeriuskan by piece bational park side. karimun java as maritime tour place. while the other not yet seen bational park side demureness. because it is not impossible, when see people around activity rather less care with oceaninc conservation problem be boomerang for environment problem at region. will live up to we shall what the mentioned will be silneced and expire to like story then or want us serious up to can good for this nation also. all that is in our hand is to decides to how the good.

two days then we can go to p. middle, do our activity kernel, identify potential tour dives there. a day before that is us also do diving at p. sintok as heating.

Tengah Island this obvious a property island a millionaire which actually can also to be rented. there six houses (cottage) big there. and there old a couple of married loyal as penunggu island. this island is reasonable big. with white sand surround it, this island is seen to so beautifuler at eye. soon our scuba prepares moment entire teams arrives at there. all kind bcd, regulator, fins, snorkel mencek redo up to final we are ready submerge blow 10 morning that.

our belt system uses to identify life biota sea exist in around island. belt system that mean us do diving goes island consume time until two days. luck not many problems whom we meet moment do diving there. up to final we do identification end result counting.

by using index that appointed by depparpostel we are all that do identification declares that is potential under sea exist in p. middle this can membilang proper as tour aim region dive. support visibility (distance looks at – red) that achieve 20 meters and average fish kind achieves 30 kinds, more increase laik potential tour dives exist in there. bot to mention beauty umbu cliff the existence 80% still can membilang good.

so very lamentable that region still not yet menyeriuskan as memve point diving tour aim at karimun java.