(photo: BvG&S)

Beksan Serimpi Gåndåkusumå

Choreographer(s):

Sri Padukå Susuhunan Paku Bhuwånå VIII

Revisor(s):

Sunarna SKar (ASKI, now STSI) 

Composition(s):

Pathet Sångå ngelik Gending Gåndåkusumå minggah
Ladrang Gåndåsuli suwuk Ketawang Mijil gending kemanak, Ladrang Kagok Madurå Slendro Sångå (9)

Musician(s):

Penabuh ASKI with dr. Rahayu Supanggah Skar

Music recording:

Kusuma Recording KGB 011

Duration:

16 ' 40 " 

Region:

Central Java (Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat)


Synopsis:

'Seri' means 'the sublime' and 'impi' means 'the vision'. Visions of an ideal world, similar to the god's paradise, are depicted by the serimpi-dancers in their srimpi-dance. The Serimpi is one of the highest forms of classical dance at the Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat and the creation of a new Serimpi-dance is always attributed to the ruler.
The Serimpi-dance was therefore reserved exclusively for the daughters of the ruler. With a clear purity they embodied the dance.
In the Serimpi-dance a picture is painted of a world through dance movements and stuctures:
• The dance begins with balanced, static poses, symbolising a moment of rest.
• This serinity is disturbed by the constant movements and changing positions of the dancers, a situation comparable to the disharmony caused by the passions of the human world. In the dance this is sometimes represented by a struggle.
• The structure of the dance recovers, as humanity also comes to its senses.
These images are emphasized by the fact that the Serimpi is always danced by 4 similar dressed dancers, who dance in 2 couples.
The Serimpi-dances of the Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat are characterized by e strong spritual connection with the goddess of the South Sea, Kanjeng Ratu Kidul. The royal family attributes its position to the personal protection from the goddess. The dances are a tribute to Kanjeng Ratu Kidul and the dancers open themselves spiritually to a confrontation with the 'Higher World'.

The academy of dancing of Surakarta, ASKI (Akademi Seni Karawitan Indonesia), now has become STSI (Sekolah Tinggi Seni Indonesia). Since several years the academy has been allowed to reconstruct some Serimpi-dances of the Surakarta Hadiningrat-court. This Beksan Serimpi Gåndåkusumå is the ASKI-version based on the original dance of the Keraton Surakarta Hadingrat. It is shortened from approximately 60 minutes to nearly 17 minutes and embodied for the academy by Sunarna SKar.
The Beksan Serimpi Gåndåkusumå was taught to Romanita Santoso by Naniek Sri Winarni SmKar from the ASKI.
This Serimpi Gåndåkusumå is attributed to the sovereign Sri Padukå Susuhunan Paku Bhuwånå VIII (1858-1861). The Beksan Serimpi Gåndåkusumå symbolises the authority of Sri Padukå Susuhunan Paku Bhuwånå VIII so he was able to rule his people as a good monarch.

© The Wisma Ulah Budaya Foundation 1999


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