Lontar Collection as Wellspring of Balinese Cultural Passage

Development of human civilization is more determined by language and writing. During the prehistoric period, human beings communicated in spoken language so many momentous events were inevitably unable to be inherited completely through generations.

Utilization of the oldest written language in the world has developed since the period of ancient Egypt (circa 5000 BC). Such writing was known then as hieroglyph. Those writings were aesthetically carved on the walls of pyramids.
Within the historical order, in fact, every nation has different histories. For example, Indonesia is believed to have entered its historical period around 500 BC. At that time, important messages were mostly written on the surface of stones with just a few characters. Then, the usage of writing medium was not restricted on stone only, but developed into other media, including metal, fabric, bamboo, lontar (palm leaf) and so forth.
The use of lontar or palm-leaf as media of writing also grew in several regions across Indonesia, such as in Batak (Sumatra), Celebes, Java, Lombok and Bali. Culture of writing on lontar leaf in Bali in the past was mostly performed by the royal families. At that time, the lontar manuscript played a significant role as they carried many issues like culture, Balinese tradition in combination with literary works.
Gedong Kirtya is the central store of lontar references in Bali. According to Jero Suarsana, Head of the Gedong Kirtya, it currently retains some 7,500 cakep (titles). Such lontar manuscripts are categorized into some divisions. There is a Vedic group pertaining several information of Vedic teachings, Mantra and Kalpasastra (benefits of ritual activity).
The religious division covers the Palakerta carrying the regulation like Dharmasastra, Kertasima, Awig-awig; Sesana or guidelines on moral; while Niti on law and legislation.
The Wariga division tells about astronomy and astrology; Tutur describes about the knowledge of cosmos. Itihasa division includes the Parva, Kakawin, Kidung and Geguritan. Meanwhile, the Babad division gives the explanation of Pancangah (genealogy), history including the falls of kingdoms.
The Tantri division, a narration originating in the literature of ancient India, is the native narrative to Bali. Lelampahan division is story tale played in the performance of gambuh, human wayang and arja operetta.
Gedong Kirtya in Singaraja (North Bali) is inseparable from the meritorious services of a Dutch intellectual paying intense attention towards the issues of Balinese cultural, tradition and language namely F.A. Liefrinck and Dr. Van der Tuuk. Other than functioning as Lontar Museum, the Gedong Kirtya also makes duplications of ancient lontar manuscripts. The process of the writing the lontar takes sufficiently long times, as it is commenced by the selection of good quality of lontar leaf. Prior to being written on, the lontar leaf is kept by piling up to a certain number and pressed to make it remain durable and its surface is even.(BTN/I Ketut Supir)