Abhiseka kramasisya is an annual event organized by the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program to inaugurate new students of the Javanese Literature Study Program. In 2024, Abhiseka Kramasisya was held in 2 days, on October 19-20, 2024 with 45 new students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program participating. Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024 used the theme “Sedya, Darma, Guna” each word in the theme has its own sentence which means very deep and is expected to be in accordance with the new students who will be inaugurated.

“Sedya” in Sedya Tuhu Gayuh Widya means the full intention to reach knowledge. “Darma” in Darma Bekti Kang Utama means goodness that is prioritized. “Guna” in the sentence Guna Mring Nuswantara means useful for the country, nation, and all of Nusantara. With the formation of this philosophical theme, it is hoped that new students will always absorb the meaning so that they can carry out the “Sedya, Darma, Guna” and be able to preserve the noble values of Javanese culture and maintain the existence of culture in the Nusantara, especially Javanese culture.

Before the day of Abhiseka Kramasisya, all committees and participants conducted a First Gathering which was intended to establish good communication between the committee and participants. The First Gathering which was held on September 8, 2024 became a place for bonding and getting to know each other.

On September 21, 2024 a Technical Meeting was held to explain the technical implementation of the D-day of Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024. With the aim of introducing a little Javanese knowledge, all new students were divided into 4 groups with the names Damarwulan, Centhini, Wedharaga, and Ambiya. The naming of these groups comes from the names of manuscripts in Java. The Technical Meeting also explained some of the technical implementation of the entire series of Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024.

The first day of Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024 was held in the Auditorium of Soegondo Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada with a series of symbolic opening events with “Asa Lokatara”. A box containing balloons that will fly a piece of cloth with the inscription Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024. Asa Lokatara means a dream that flies high, a prayer for all new students so that their dreams can be achieved. Asa Lokatara was opened by Dr. Daru Winarti M.Hum, as the Head of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program and accompanied by Zidna Nabila as the Chief of Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024.

“Asa Lokatara” symbolic opening of Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024

After the symbolic opening, the event continued with the introduction of the study program which was filled by several representatives of the lecturers. Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024 also invited alumnus as talk show speakers. One of the speakers presented was Rizky Inggar who plunged into the entertainment world and had several programs on television such as Main Hakim Sendiri and Rumah Bulekkk. The speaker conveyed the career he had gone through, aiming to motivate new students to have the enthusiasm to carry out education and find their talent interests. Entering the last part of Abhiseka Kramasisya on the first day, closed by Gilang Cahya Nusantara as the Head of the Kamastawa Association presenting material on the introduction of the Department Student Association (Himpunan Mahasiswa Jurusan) which will later be followed by new students.

Study program seminar by several lecturers

The second day of the Abhiseka Kramasisya series was held in the hallway of the Margono Building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The rainy conditions made the committee have to think of ways to keep the event running smoothly. The plan for “Lelaya Wiyata” or cultural exploration had to be replaced with a quiz between groups. There were several changes to the plan. However, everything went smoothly. The event continued with the movement of all participants and committees to Pusaka Jawa (Javanese Studies Center) located on Jl. Bungur, Bulaksumur No. F9 to continue the Siraman inauguration procession. The Siraman procession is the main part of the Abhiseka Kramasisya. The procession was led by lecturer representative Dr. Sulistyowati, M.Hum. accompanied by the Head of the KAMASTAWA. With the implementation of the Siraman procession, participants have officially become part of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program Family. All participants also received the corsa of the Javanese Literature Student Family Department Student Association.

The event was closed with an art performance by Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024 participants. Participants displayed the creativity of each group performing dances, songs, dramas, and so on. This session was lively, warm, and showed the kinship of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. The end of the art performance was followed by the symbolic closing of “Abinawa Prasraya” in the form of a door that can rotate 180 degrees showing the acceptance of new students adding color to the Language, Literature and Culture Study Program.

The series of Abhiseka Kramasisya 2024, expects new students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program to love local cultural products, especially Javanese culture, and to preserve them. Students who have been confirmed are expected to develop and improve educational, research, and community service activities so as to create superior, outstanding, and dignified student characters.

"Sartaka" Session

The next event was "Semedi" or a study program seminar. The "Semedi" session took place at 13.00 WIB-14.50 WIB. In the study program seminar, participants gained a deeper understanding of the three areas of specialization in the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, namely philology, linguistics, and literature. The three areas of specialization were explained by the lecturers who taught each of these areas of specialization. The lecturers who attended the activity included Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum., Dr. Djarot Heru Santoso, M.Hum., Dr. Sri Ratna Saktimulya, M,Hum., Dr. Arsanti Wulandari, M.Hum., R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.Hum., Nurmalia Habibah, S.S., M.A., and Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.A. Various questions were asked by the participants to the lecturers, illustrating a deep curiosity about each of the three areas of specialization.

"Semedi" Session

Afterward was the core event of Abhiseka Kramasisya, namely the inauguration. The inauguration session took place at 15.20 WIB-17.00 WIB and was carried out by carrying out the siraman procession. Participants took turns undergoing the siraman procession. With the implementation of the siraman procession, participants officially became part of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program Family. In addition, the participants also received the  Himpunan Mahasiswa Jurusan Keluarga Mahasiswa Sastra Jawa (HMJ Kamastawa) korsa. 

"Siraman" Session

The next session was "Kala Nrtya" or an art performance which was held at 18.20 WIB-19.30 WIB. In this session, the participants who had been divided into four groups had to present a performance, be it drama, music, dance, etc. The atmosphere at the art performance was very lively and so warm, and the appearance of the four groups was very stunning. After "Kala Nrtya", the next session was "Abhimata" or awarding. The Abhimata session contained several nominations, including the most exciting group, the most compact group, and other nominations. The last session was the closing which ended with a group photo, with the intention of capturing the moment of togetherness.

"Kala Nrtya" Session

With the implementation of the 2023 Abhiseka Kramasisya series, it is hoped that new students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program can love their homeland more and participate in the preservation of the archipelago's culture, especially Javanese culture. It is hoped that the inaugurated students can channel their concern for the archipelago's culture through educational, research, and community service activities so as to create superior, accomplished, dignified student characters, and participate in improving the quality of education in Indonesia.

As a form of community service, the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Student Association (Kamastawa) held another “Kamastawa Teaching and Sharing” event on Sunday, October 22, 2024. This event is the result of collaboration between the social and community division (sosmas) and the scientific division, with the aim of having a positive impact on society, especially for children at the Wirobrajan branch of the PYI Yatim and Zakat Orphanage, Yogyakarta.

There were 16 children from grade 1 elementary to 1 junior high school involved in the event. The event opened at 09.00 AM WIB with an opening session and introductions. During the event, students and children had the opportunity to play together, creating a cheerful atmosphere with jokes and laughter. This togetherness became an important foundation in building intimacy between students and participants.

Opening session and introductions

After the introductory session and games, the event continued with teaching and learning activities. Participants were divided into three groups according to educational level: group 1 for grades 1-2 elementary school, group 2 for grades 3-4 elementary school, and group 3 for grades 5 elementary school to 1 junior high school. Each group received materials tailored to their age and level of understanding, ranging from daily Javanese conversation, Javanese script writing, Javanese assignment consultation, and so on. Various teaching methods were used by the students to make learning fun and easy for the children to understand.

Teaching-learning session

After the learning session was over, it was time for ice breaking, where the participants were invited to sing together the song aja ndomblong aja and follow the guessing game with prizes. This session succeeded in sparking the children to be active in an exciting way.

Giving prizes to participants who won the guessing game

The children's enthusiasm could be felt from the beginning to the end of the activity, especially during the distribution of small gifts as an appreciation for the participants' activeness. In addition, Kamastawa also provided Pepak Basa Jawa books and reading books as a form of support for the participants future educational development. It is hoped that participants can easily access knowledge and enrich their insights, including those related to knowledge and preservation of Javanese culture.

Donation of reading books to the orphanage

The gifts given may be considered simple. However, prayers, hopes, and sincere intentions to share will live on and become the foundation in the implementation of the 'Kamastawa teach and share' program now and in the future.

Dening: M. Rafi Nur Fauzy

akeh wong kang padha têka

nggawa darma amêjang mring sireki

nyata goro kumatungkul

kagunggung sukeng tyasnya

datan dunung ing sarak sanyatanipun

mula sire den prayitna

nulya amundura kaki

On Monday night (08/19/2024), the Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), organized a shadow puppet show in the framework of the anniversary of the Faculty of Philosophy. The performance featured a special play, Gajah Mada Suci, which was performed collaboratively by UGM students who are members of the UGM Surakarta Style Javanese Arts Unit (UKJGS). One of the important roles in this performance was carried out by M. Rafi Nur Fauzy, a student of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program class of 2023, chosen to perform a play that was collaboratively worked on by the academics community of Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The script for the performance of Gajah Mada Suci was written by Dr. Rudy Wiratama S.I.P., M.A., lecturer of Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. Gajah Mada Suci tells the story of the scapegoating of Gajah Mada under the pretext of the failure of the Majapahit Kingdom expansion. The expansion also coincided with the kingdom's internal political turmoil. To make matters worse, Gajah Mada was accused by the elites of trying to remove him from the kingdom. As a result, Gajah Mada felt desperate and afterward he visited the residence of his friend, Mpu Tantular. After a long dialog, Gajah Mada was finally enlightened, that the efforts he had made so far were not in vain. The spirit of Amukti Palapa to unite the archipelago will continue in the next era. 

Handover of the Gajah Mada puppet from the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Dr. Rr. Siti Murtiningsih, S.S., M. Hum, to M. Rafi Nur Fauzy. (Quoted from the Faculty of Philosophy Youtube Channel (01:22:51): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03x2lmMinTY).

“The performance of the Gajah Mada Suci is a form of depiction of the Indonesian nation that has experienced an identity crisis by winning over an interest and power through any means. Gajah Mada, who was a knight, finally moksa due to the deviant behavior of the Majapahit elite. After that, the Majapahit Kingdom lost its authority and then receded until it reached its collapse,” explained Rafi in an interview (05/09/2024).

As a special play, Rafi and his fellow UKJGS students practiced hard for a maximum performance. “The performance of Gajah Mada Suci has its own challenges for us. We practiced preparing for the performance in only half a month. Plus, this is my first time to play the Gajah Mada puppet, so it must be carefully prepared.”

“With these challenges, Alhamdulillah, the show can run smoothly. It was a great experience for me,” he continued.  Rafi hopes that the Gajah Mada puppet show will be held continuously because it is the work and identity of UGM as well as containing values that need to be socialized.

The existence of the Gajah Mada puppet is a real effort to promote the history and culture of the archipelago while still applying its relevance to the times. Through culture, we are not only 'displaying' aesthetics, but also reaffirming the nation's identity through noble values for a better Indonesia.

Author: Haryo Untoro

Image Source

Fakultas Filsafat. (2024, August 19). Pagelaran Wayang Kulit Dies Natalis ke-57 Fakultas Filsafat UGM. [01:22:51]. Accessed from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03x2lmMinTY.

Thursday, August 29, 2024, became a special moment for the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada with the holding of the Mangayubagya Graduation of Undergraduates period IV of the 2023/2024 academic year. A total of 244 graduates celebrated their graduation, holding a bachelor's degree after completing their studies at FIB. The solemn graduation ceremony was made even more lively with a dance performance from Ratnaraya, a student dance unit of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program.

Four students, Audrey Gisela, Ganes Larasati, Novalia Hidayatus S., and Wening Hidayati, presented Geol Denok Dance as part of the graduation ceremony. Geol Denok dance is a typical Semarang dance that depicts the joy of Semarang girls who dance with lively, energetic movements and accompanied by dynamic music. Etymologically, the word “geol” refers to the dance movements of the knees and hips, while “denok” is a term for girls in Semarang.

In an interview with Wening Hidayati, one of the performers, she said that Geol Denok Dance was a new dance for Ratnaraya members. “We try to give our best in this performance, and are very happy to be able to welcome the graduates of FIB UGM with Geol Denok Dance,” said Wening (09/05/2024).

Ratnaraya's performance is not only for entertainment, but also reflects the Faculty's commitment to preserving Nusantara culture, especially Javanese culture. This cultural preservation requires support and collaboration from various parties, and FIB UGM plays an active role by providing the widest possible space for art and cultural exploration, so that the nation's identity remains relevant and provides benefits to people's lives.

Good news came from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM). Kintan Dewinta Putri, a student of the program, has been selected as the Princess Cultural Ambassador of Yogyakarta 2024. She was selected along with Duta Andhika, the Son of Yogyakarta Cultural Ambassador 2024, on May 4, 2024, at Sleman City Hall, Yogyakarta.

Based on an interview with Kintan (09/06/2024), being a Yogyakarta Cultural Ambassador is not just a competition, but also must understand and participate in the preservation of Javanese culture, especially the cultural identity of Yogyakarta. “As Yogyakarta Cultural Ambassadors, it is our duty to contribute to the mission of recognizing and preserving arts and culture in Yogyakarta. Examples of activities include being a judge for the Krincing Manis dance studio's class promotion and participating in the Jamasan Pusaka 1 Suro ceremony at the top of Suroloyo, Kulonprogo. In the future, we plan to do community service in Gunung Kidul and other places by teaching about Yogyakarta's culture and arts,” she explained.

Kintan is grateful to have won the title of Yogyakarta Cultural Ambassador 2024 and is proud to be part of the agent of change in the effort to preserve Yogyakarta's culture. She explained that she is currently preparing to participate in the Indonesian Cultural Ambassador event. “Currently, I am preparing myself for the Indonesian Cultural Ambassador event to be held on September 19-21, 2024, in Surabaya. Please pray and support!”

Culture is the result of copyright, taste, and karsa and is an identity for its people. The existence of these various identities is an identity of the Indonesian nation, which is diverse and lives together in harmony. Kintan's achievements are an inspiration for Mahadaya to continue to explore, preserve, and explore the potential of Indonesian culture, and provide benefits to the community.

Monday (08/05/2024), - The Departmental Student Association (HMJ) of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Student Family (Kamastawa) successfully held a socialization of the Study Plan Card (KRS) for new students of class 2024. The activity which took place in the Margono 303 room aims to provide new students with an understanding of the KRS filling procedure and lecture guidelines that will be undertaken in the future.

The event, which began at 08.30 AM WIB, was opened by the Head of the Scientific Division of HMJ Kamastawa, Fauzan Adl Fadlurrahman, who explained in detail the process of filling out KRS, including the use of the Simaster application, the main platform in academic management at Gadjah Mada University. In addition, Fauzan also gave an explanation of the applicable curriculum and the various courses that students will take during the study period. Lecture ethics that are important to apply were also part of the presentation.

Lecture ethics exposure to class of 2024 students

Furthermore, Haryo Untoro, a member of the Scientific Division of HMJ Kamastawa, provided tips and tricks for undergoing lectures. In this session, new students were introduced to the study program library facilities, the Digital Library of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), as well as other digital resources such as the Javanese online dictionary and the Old Javanese online dictionary.

The socialization was conducted in a serious yet relaxed atmosphere, allowing new students to actively ask questions and interact. Several questions were asked by participants, showing enthusiasm and curiosity about the KRS system and aspects of the lectures they will face.

With this socialization, it is hoped that the new batch of 2024 students can clearly understand the KRS filling process which will be carried out on Saturday (08/10/2024) to Sunday (08/11/2024), as well as the lecture insights that will be used for dynamics in the future.

Wednesday morning, July 31, 2024, became a historic moment for the 2024 batch of students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada. As part of the campus introduction process, they were welcomed to the Pionir Kampung Budaya 2024 event, which was held for two days from July 31 to August 1, 2024. The event was designed to introduce new students to academic life at FIB UGM, where Mahadaya will study for the next four years.

The opening of Pionir Kampung Budaya 2024 was enlivened by the strains of gamelan performed by Gamasutra (Gamelan Sastra Nusantara), an art unit that serves as a forum for students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. Gamasutra played an important role in welcoming the mahadaya, presenting a solemn atmosphere and the nobility of Indonesian culture.

Gamasutra's Performance at Pionir Kampung Budaya 2024

In addition to welcoming the mahadaya, Gamasutra also accompanied the presence of the Chairman of the Pionir Kampung Budaya 2024, the President of the Student Executive Board (LEM) 2024, the Dean of FIB UGM and staff, as well as the Heads of Study Programs from various departments. The peak moment of Gamasutra's performance was when it enlivened the procession of gunungan removal, marking the official opening of Pionir Kampung Budaya 2024. Some of the songs performed by Gamasutra in the event include Gending Gati Padhasih, Gangsaran, and Ayak Vertikal which are the works of Ki Dr. Drs. Sukisno, M.Sn.

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM, as the frontline in cultural studies, shows its commitment in preserving Indonesia's cultural heritage by providing ample space for the development of arts and cultural interests among students. This effort is in line with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially the 4th point on improving the quality of education and the 17th point on partnerships to achieve goals.

Gamasutra's performance in Pionir Kampung Budaya 2024 is not only an entertainment event, but also a very important means of cultural introduction and preservation. Mahadaya class of 2024 also got a deep first impression of campus life that is rich in cultural values and traditions, which Mahadaya will continue to encounter and develop during its dynamics at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM.

Gathotkaca Krodha puppet with hands like scissors, source: https://tokohwayangpurwa.blogspot.com/2009/10/gatutkaca.html

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) has a variety of students with a myriad of achievements, both in academic and non-academic fields. This time, good news came from one of its students, Muhammad Siswoyo, from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. The 2022 student won third place in the essay competition at Parab Kawi #6, a prestigious event with the theme “Luhuring Kabudayan lan Kasusastran Jawi, Amrih Kalokaning Nagari.”.

This year's Parab Kawi competition featured two categories, essays and calligraphy. In the essay category, the sub-theme was “Tradition of Javanese Cultural Values, Knowledge, and Technology." On this occasion, Muhammad Siswoyo presented an essay entitled “Psychological Depiction of Raos Gathotkaca Krodha as a Destructive Entity in Pocapan Abur-aburan Gathotkaca Wayang Kulit Jawa Timuran”.

The essay discusses the pocapan (narration of an event in a shadow puppet performance) Abur-aburan depicting Gathotkaca Krodha, 'Gatotkaca who is angry', especially on the body parts of one of Werkudara's children. The limbs of Gathotkaca Krodha are likened to various tools of destruction, such as scissors, pacul, etc. This is in fact relevant to the shape of the Gathotkaca Krodha puppet, which is also depicted in this way. This concept is also in line with the psychology of raos, which links a person's emotional state with the ability to create certain states, such as anger and destruction.

Shadow puppetry is not only an art form, but also a 'miniature' of Indonesia's cultural diversity. It contains various elements of art, from the presentation, to the play, to the details of the puppet form and its existence. The art of storytelling in shadow puppet shows also plays an important role in 'animating' the show and delivering the audience to the 'gate' of literature as well as moral messages and philosophical meanings.

Exploring cultural knowledge can be done to find out the worldview of a society. By knowing the mindset of the community, we can improve education while understanding diversity in a frame of harmony. Thus, the competition is in accordance with the points of the Sustainable Development Goals, namely point 4 (improving the quality of education) and point 17 (partnerships to achieve goals).

IMAGE REFERENCE

Tokohwayangpurwa.blogspot.com. (2009, October). Gatotkaca. Accessed at https://tokohwayangpurwa.blogspot.com/2009/10/gatutkaca.html.