Karangasem, On the Wallace Line

“Gambuh” of Padang Aji, Sacred Dance from Karangasem

As the theme of the Bali Arts Festival (BAF) 2005, is ‘Sang Kala’ (appreciation to time cycle), so the Karangasem Regency will present a Gambuh drama-dance of Padang Aji from the past. This dance is categorized into a sacred one as it is frequently performed at temples.

According to I Gusti Mangku Rai Cepik, an art figure of Gambuh drama-dance from Padang Aji Village, this dance is an important element every time a ceremony is conducted. The Gambuh dance has existed since the seventeenth century. It came to be sacred because every ‘grandiose sacrificial ceremony’ at the village temple of Padang Aji was accompanied by the Gambuh dance.
Such a ‘grandiose sacrificial ceremony’ of Padang Aji is commonly held on the Fourth full moon in the Balinese calendar system (September 2005), the Tenth (April) and the Eighth (January). The presentation is brought about in the afternoon. Sometimes, foreign tourists make their time to watch this Gambuh dance. “This dance is also often staged at a hotel at Sidemen Village to accompany the guests that are conducting meditation, as the string of flutes and rebeck leaves an impression on their hearts,” said Rai Cepik.
Due to sacredness of this dance, woman in their period, or ‘sebel’ (temporarily impure because of death of her family member) is not permitted to join the dance. Both the dancers and gamelan players must pay homage at the local village temple prior to making a performance. They present ‘pejati’ (offerings). “We will also do the same thing at the Bali Arts Festival,” he added.
To place its performance on a firm basis on the Bali Arts Festival, they will perform practice everyday. On the presentation, this Gambuh troupe will perform the tale of Panji.
This Gambuh dance continues to exist and develop at a village which is 26 km from Amlapura. From Denpasar to Amlapura is 78 km or some two hours drive. Padang Aji village is located in Selat sub district, Karangasem Regency.
The distinctiveness of this Gambuh dance lies on the gamelan accompaniment that is dominated by the strings of flutes and rebeck. Other instruments used in this accompaniment are drums, small penceng, ricik, gumanak, gentorang, kenyur, kajar, klenang and kempul. Gambuh dancers consists of 18 gamelan players and 20 dancers. Among the twenty dancers, 6 of them are women and 14 men.
According to Rai Cepik, the presentation at the BAF, the tale of Panji that will be staged highlights the storyline Pengelurug Prabu Mataram. It tells about the Prince Wungon, a bachelor and young king of Mataram. He has bad habits namely a drunkard and likes gambling. In running the administration of the kingdom, he was assisted by royal officials the so-called Demung, Tumenggung, Arya Jimbar, Arya Kanuruhan and the warrior Rangga Jelada. There are also two royal servants that are loyal to guard the king namely Punta and Jerudeh.
Once upon a time, the Prince Wungon decided to propose Diah Nawang Wulan, a beautiful princess of King Gegelang. Unfortunately, the king rejected the proposal due unlawful character of the king of Mataram. As consequence, the king of Mataram became angry and instructed an attack against Gegelang Kingdom.
In the meantime, at Gegelang Kingdom, Prince Panji happened to be there. He wanted to find Diah Rangke Sari who had vanished. On hearing about the attack, the Prince Panji could not accept it. Being assisted by high-rank officials of Gegelang Kingdom like Rangga Titah Jiwa, Kebo Angin-Angin, Kuda Mirasu, two royal servants and the entire citizens of Gegelang were ready to confront the offensive of the Mataram Kingdom.
King of Mataram together with his troops set about assaulting Gegelang. On the passage, he was intercepted by a crow in a raucous voice again and again and vomited blood. It is a portent if the King of Mataram insists on leaving for the war they will lose. However, since he is so arrogant and egoistic the crow was cursed and the journey to the war is resumed.
The warfare is unavoidable. King of Mataram set fire to the castle of Gegelang in the evening, and his troops started to rush in frenzy. Prince Panji along with his troops counter-attacked the aggression of King of Mataram. Repeated stabbing by the King of Mataram is unable to collapse Prince Panji. Even, on the contrary, during the attack on Prince Panji he stabbed the chest of King of Mataram and killed him. “This storyline is selected as a reflection of the current conditions of Bali, in which gambling and spirits are becoming more widespread,” said Rai Cepik. (BTN/033)