(information by The Wisma Ulah Budaya Foundation taken from programme notes of a Karaton Surakarta dance performance)

The Karaton Surakarta Hadiningrat (Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace) is a continuation of the Karaton Mataram in Kartasura. It is built in 1745 by Sri Padukå Susuhunan Paku Buwono II at Solo village, approximately 10 km to the east of Kartasura. In the transfer the Karaton also brought several heritages and karaton's culture arts such as 'beksan' (dance), which is still developed as a cultural asset in the Karaton Surakarta.
The dance role in Javanese culture is a basic thing, because dance can be considered as a heritage, for example the Bedaya Katawang dance at the Karaton Surakarta. This dance is a sacred dance that is still highly respected until now.
In addition a dance has very often also a historical background or expresses certain moments either in its lyrics or its musical accompaniment.
So dance is not just an entertainment, it also has its own expressive and historical characteristics. Dance in Javanese language is also called 'bekså' (hambekin råså) or a spirit of the characterisation of a feeling, expressed in gestures and movements.
The existence of the feeling element itself is, in Javanese culture, very dominant. It is so dominant that it is understandable if Kraton Surakarta considers dance as a heirloom which is still perpetuated as one of the noblest national cultural inheritances until today.

The chairman of the Pawiyatan Kabudayaan Karaton Surakarta is Her Highness dra. Gusti Raden Ayu Koes Moertiyah, daughter of the reigning monarch His Royal Highness Sri Padukå Susuhunan Paku Buwånå XII of the Karaton Surakarta Hadiningrat.

Address:
YAYASAN PAWIYATAN KABUDAYAAN KARATON SURAKARTA
Office:
Kamandungan Karaton Surakarta Solo 57114 (Central Java)
INDONESIA
phone and fax: ++ 62 271 41243