Beksan Suryaputra Dance

Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawono Ingkang Jumeneng Ka 10, Suryaning Mataram, Senopati Ing Ngalogo, Langgenging Bawono Langgeng, Langgenging Tata Panotogomo, has reintroduced a male dance (beksan kakung) called Beksan Suryaputra.

On Monday Pon, May 6, 2024, a week after International Dance Day 2024, Beksan Suryaputra was first performed during the Uyon-Uyon Hadiluhung event to commemorate Sri Sultan's birthday. The Kawedanan Kridhamardawa (the arts department of the Yogyakarta Palace) presented Beksan Suryaputra with the popular story of Permadi-Suryatmaja, wrapped in the concept of beksan sekawanan.

This dance is named after Suryatmaja, the son of Batara Surya. It emphasizes the prowess and chivalry of Suryatmaja. However, his opponent, Permadi, is also depicted as equally powerful and chivalrous. Suryatmaja is the childhood name of Adipati Karna, while Permadi is another name for Arjuna. In wayang (shadow puppetry), Karna and Arjuna are half-brothers, sharing the same mother but different fathers. Their duel is documented in Serat Kandha Ringgit Tiyang: Lampahan Suryatmaja mengsah Permadi, a collection of Kagungan Dalem Kapustakan Widyabudaya numbered T.35, dated Surya Kaping Setu Pon, 5 Sapar Alip 1875/1945 AD.

The Story of Beksan Suryaputra

It is told that Raden Permadi received a command from King Salyantaka of Mandaraka to capture an intruder in the Mandaraka Garden who was targeting his daughter, Dyah Dewi Surtikanthi. The intruder was Raden Suryatmaja. Permadi quickly confronted Suryatmaja, leading to a fierce battle between the two. Although both were equally powerful, there was no victor or vanquished in the fight.

Concept and Presentation of the Dance

Previously, this popular story was depicted in Beksan Permadi Suryatmaja performed by two dancers. However, this time, the historic encounter between Suryatmaja and Permadi is immortalized in the concept of beksan sekawanan. Beksan sekawanan features four male dancers with two main characters, while the other two act as shadows of the main characters. Like other beksan kakung, this dance consists of maju gendhing, the main dance, and mundur gendhing.

The characters Suryatmaja and Permadi have refined (halus) traits without mustaches, so this beksan kakung employs impur (refined) movements. The dance includes movements such as ulap-ulap, tawing encot, tawing kicat, nggrudha, ongkek mlampah gedruk ngracik, pudhak mekar, imbal suku, asta tinting, atrap jamang, atrap sumping, and ningseti paningset. The main part features a battle scene, divided into a refined fight (hand-to-hand) and a real fight using weapons like keris.

The conflict between Suryatmaja and Permadi does not focus on who wins or loses. Both warriors show restraint and do not attack when the opponent is off guard, demonstrating the chivalry and respect of a true warrior.

Musical Accompaniment

This dance is accompanied by a gamelan orchestra in the Slendro Pathet Manyura tuning. The musical sequence includes Lagon Wetah, Lagon Ngelik, Kandha, Ladrang Manis, Kawin Sekar Tengahan Lonthang, Kandha, Playon/Plajaran Wetah, Ayak-Ayak, Ayak-Ayak Kinanthi Mangu, Sekar Macapat Kinanthi Mangu, Ada-Ada Jugag, Pocapan, Kandha, Srepeg, Playon/Plajaran, Ladrang Manis, and Lagon Jugag.

Despite being a refined dance, the maju gendhing accompaniment uses Ladrang Manis Slendro Manyura, typically used for robust dances. The Ayak-Ayak Slendro Manyura section includes a "jeglong" scene with Ayak-Ayak Kinanthi Slendro Manyura. The Ayak-Ayak Kinanthi Mangu Slendro Manyura is interspersed with male solo vocals in a kagok sindhenan style. The srepegan accompaniment, usually performed after ayak-ayak, is presented from the opening kendhang, marking the plajaran/playon (chasing) scene.

Costumes

The dancers in Beksan Suryaputra, performed during the Uyon-Uyon Hadiluhung on May 6, 2024, wore training costumes, including jarik with Larasati motifs, red lonthong, embroidered kamus untuwalang, blangkon, and red gendhalagiri silk sondher. The weapons used were dhuwung/keris.

The story of Suryatmaja and Permadi represents sportsmanship in life. Such high-value art performances are efforts by the Yogyakarta Palace to document ancient texts in a form accessible to the public.

 References

Serat Kandha Ringgit Tiyang: Lampahan Suryatmaja mengsah Permadi (T 35). Collection of Kagungan Dalem Kapustakan Widyabudaya.

Mas Riyo Susilomadyo. 2024. Naskah Iringan Yasan Dalem Beksan Suryaputra Laras Slendro Pathet Manyura kangge Ayahan Selasa Wagen 06 Mei 2024. Yogyakarta: Kawedanan Kridhomardowo Karaton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. 

 Interviews

Interview with RRy Rogomurti (Panata & Pamucal Beksa) on April 25, 2024.

Interview with MRy Dirjomanggolo (Costume & Makeup Designer) on April 25, 2024.

Interview with Mg Dhenny Listyantoro on April 25, 2024.

Interview with MRy Susilomadyo (Music Arranger) on May 3, 2024.

https://www.kratonjogja.id/kagungan-dalem/77-beksan-suryaputra/