experience the real Jogja...

(CANDRA LARAS; ART WORKSHOP IN KELURAHAN PANEMBAHAN, KECAMATAN KRATON)

Behind the dimlight balcony of a government's building, musical keroncong melody is vaguely heard. With six person in music instruments plus one singer, a calming musical composition was born. On the west side, fans of this kind of music which is a little amount are sit in a row. That's the situation we can see every Sunday night at 20.00-00.00 in Religious Court's balcony, Kelurahan Panembahan. This situation doesn't make its fanatic fans to stop their favorite ritual. The night cold air and mosquito's bite has been the friends of the artists who are almost in advanced age.

Candra Laras, that's the name of this little community. Candra, which means "moon" and Laras which means "rhyme" is an art community which lives the keroncong music that's still exists in Kelurahan Panembahan, at RW XVI to be exact. The history of this community can't be traced in detail, since it has a low and high situation; sometimes it works but sometimes it doesn't. This community usually starts to have a routine rehearsal on July-August; which is a preparation for the welcoming the Independence Day of Indonesia.

So far, this community members are only the advanced age men from RW XVI, though in fact the membership is open for people in general. Unfortunately, no one seem interested to join it yet; maybe because no one knows its existence, or because they just don't care about it. Meanwhile, the youngsters are more interested in joining the bands which people think more precious and modern. In spite of that, this condition doesn't decrease those advanced age poeple's spirit to maintain their favorit community's existence. This community has a leader; Mbah Guna who really loves this art.

That's a short description about a keroncong community; Candra Laras, which still trying hard to keep its light though it has a low times. We need to appreciate those advenced age people's effort and love in maintaining this community which they think as a place to unte their soul.

With western culture becoming ever more popular in Yogyakarta, it is hearting to see that pure tradition does remain in the form of dance. One of these dances is classical Yogyakartanese dance which is still performed although less frequently now than in the past. Siswo Among Bekso Foundation is one of several foundations that focus on classical Yogyakartanese dance.

It was established about 54 years ago by GBPH Suryobronto. This foundation has produced many great dancers and has even performed in other countries with success. In Kecamatan Kraton, usually the dancers of Siswo Among Bekso Foundation perform on Kraton's birthdays, or certain occasions depending on orders.

The Siswo Among Bekso places emphasis on understanding the techniques of the dance, so that a dancer does not only memorize how to do the dance movements but also really understands what kind of techniques the dance requires. The students are required to pass 4 levels of training before they can become part of the senior dance team. Each level is only considered complete after a final graduating exam. Siswo Among Bekso Foundation teaches the following dances; Sumekar, Tayungan, Matoyoretno, Wirogotunggal, Srimpi, Klonorojo, Beksan Putri, and Beksan Putra.

Should you be interested in learning classical Yogyakartanese dance you can contact the foundation directly in Kelurahan Kadipaten Kecamatan Kraton Yogyakarta. Each month you only pay Rp. 6000,00. The foundation currently has 6 female and 4 male teachers who are ready to assist you in becoming a great dancer.

Let's preserve our cultural heritage, if we do not then who will?