Thursday (24/11/2022), the Javanese Literature Study Program held a seminar entitled "Rereading Colophonic Manuscripts, Archives, Archaeological Remains, and Oral Traditions of the Merapi-Merbabu Scriptorium Manuscripts" held in the Soegondo building room 709, Faculty of Cultural Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada. The event which took place from 13.00 to 15.00 WIB was attended by students of the UGM Javanese Literature Study Program and the audience, especially those who were interested in the scripts of the Merapi-Merbabu scriptorium.

This seminar presented Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A., a Javanese Literature lecturer at UGM, as the moderator. Complete with one of the Javanese Literature students, Marsha Allifia Nadhira, as the Master of Ceremony (MC).

The presenter at this event was Rendra Agusta, S.S., M.Sos., a researcher and observer of ancient texts with a focus on Old Javanese and New Javanese. He is also the founder of the Strada Institute, a community engaged in independent research related to issues of preservation, development, and use of text-based cultural objects, both manuscripts and inscriptions. In this seminar, Rendra Agusta, S.S., M.Sos., guided the participants to get acquainted with the Merapi-Merbabu scriptorium and explore the traces of tradition and local wisdom values ​​contained therein.

One of the interesting things he conveyed was about the term Merapi-Merbabu manuscripts themselves. "Terms change. Starting from the Merbabu manuscripts, the Merbabu-Merapi script, then in the catalog it was written Merapi-Merbabu," said Rendra Agusta, S.S., M.Sos. "The latter mention is in Abimardha's (Dr. Abimardha Kurniawan, M.A.) dissertation which calls it mountain texts because these texts are not only found in Merapi-Merbabu, but also in Lawu, Wilis, Telomoyo, Andong, Ungaran, and possibly more broadly." he continued.

After Rendra Agusta, S.S., M.Sos., finished his presentation, the moderator opened the question session. Seminar participants were very enthusiastic about participating in this event, as evidenced by the many questions asked to the speakers during the question session.

By holding this seminar, it is hoped that it will increase participants' understanding of the colophons of the Merapi-Merbabu scriptorium texts as conveyed by Arsanti Wulandari S.S, M.Hum., in the remarks of the head of the study program representative.

The Javanese Literature Study Program at Gadjah Mada University held a field lecture at the VIII World Puppet Day event which was held at G.P.H.Joyokusumo Hall, Surakarta Indonesian Art Institute on Saturday (5/11/2022). Participants in the field study were Javanese Literature Study Program Students class of 2022 accompanied by UGM Javanese Literature lecturer, Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A.

To celebrate the VIII World Puppet Day, the Surakarta Indonesian Art Institute (ISI Surakarta) is holding a three-day wayang performance from 4-6 November 2022. The theme for 2022 is "Mawayang Hayu: Puppet Moderation and Diversity". The event is a manifestation of love and pride for wayang art which has been recognized by UNESCO as one of the world's cultural heritage. Panji's story was brought up in this event because according to the Chief Executive of World Puppet Day 2022, Cahyo Kuntadi, S.Sn., M.Sn., at the Opening of the VIII World Puppet Day, the original story of Indonesia had been included by UNESCO as a world memory heritage. spread to the homeland and even penetrated Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

In practice, the students gathered at the south entrance of the Faculty of Cultural Studies at 09.00 WIB and continued their journey by using a bus fleet to the Indonesian Art Institute, Surakarta. After arriving there, the participants watched several puppet shows, namely the puppet show "Kluruke Jago Jenggala" by Ananda Danendra Kidung Sindhutama. Next, the participants watched Gedhog Gagrag Pakualaman Wayang "Guntur Segara Takon Bapa" by Ki Wahyu Prasetyo Aji and Panji Wayang "Panji Gandrung" with East Javanese gagrag by Kelana Ilham Firmansyah.

The Panji Mask Wayang Show "Reraket" by the Arjasura Community was the last performance witnessed by the students before finally, the students returned to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at around 20.30 WIB. This experience was very memorable for Javanese Literature students because they got an overview of cultural events, especially wayang performances.

By carrying out this field lecture, students are expected to be able to add knowledge, and experience, and become a means of developing scientific competence. In addition, this experience can have a positive impact on scientific development and students' love for Indonesian arts and culture.

Yogyakarta - September 2022 marked a significant month, especially for many Javanese Literature students. During this period, the "Short Course in Indonesian Language Through Javanese Cultural Exotism" was conducted. This event was a result of collaboration between the Javanese Literature Study Program at Gadjah Mada University and the Indonesian Language Department at Osaka University. The implementation of this course was not the first; a similar event took place in 2019.

The "Short Course in Indonesian Language" spanned nine days, from September 17th to 25th, 2022. It involved 27 students from Osaka University, accompanied by one lecturer and one assistant lecturer. Additionally, 27 Javanese Literature students played the role of mentors to the Osaka University students throughout the course. The course was designed as an immersive learning experience that incorporated cultural aspects, particularly those related to Java, and was conducted at historical sites in Yogyakarta and its surroundings.

The program commenced with an opening ceremony at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences on the first day. Subsequently, practical learning activities began with a batik-making session at Pura Pakualaman. This session introduced Osaka University students to the process of batik-making in a hands-on manner. The day continued with a visit to Malioboro, where the students were introduced to various aspects of this famous street, including horse-drawn carriages and "Andong" (traditional carts) that operate along Malioboro.

On the second day, the learning activities took place at Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple. All Osaka University students participating in the course were acquainted with the historical legacies of the Javanese kingdoms in the Yogyakarta region and the island of Java as a whole.

The third day featured a visit to the Imogiri Royal Tombs. Participants were introduced to the history and significance of the royals buried at Imogiri. The day concluded with a visit to Ngrawe Beach and Bukit Bintang, where students were given the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the area.

On the fourth day, activities were held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. These included a cultural lecture by Arlo Griffiths from EFEO. Subsequently, students from Osaka University conducted interviews with Javanese Literature students, discussing the activities they had participated in and addressing questions prepared by the Osaka students for their final reports. There was also a session on "karawitan" (traditional Javanese music) held in Margono 405.

The fifth day's journey included a visit to the Yogyakarta Palace (Keraton Yogyakarta). Following this, Osaka students enjoyed lunch at Bale Raos. The day continued with a trip to Tamansari, where they marveled at the preserved remains of royal bathing facilities.

On the sixth day, the Osaka students collectively visited the Diorama of the Regional Library and Archives Office (DPAD) of Yogyakarta. Here, they learned about Indonesia's struggle for independence from colonial rule. They then proceeded to the State Islamic University of Sunan Kalijaga to make presentations and visited an Islamic boarding school to gain insights into religious life in Indonesia.

The seventh day's agenda involved touring the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) campus. Osaka students were introduced to the campus buildings and areas using UGM's electric vehicles. The activities also included interviews with tutors and group study sessions.

The final day marked the closing ceremony. Each Osaka student and their UGM counterparts delivered performances involving singing and dancing. In the evening, the Osaka students visited the Prambanan Temple and witnessed the Ramayana Ballet Prambanan performance.

In conclusion, this series of events and activities constituted the "Short Course in Indonesian Language Through Javanese Cultural Exotism" at Universitas Gadjah Mada and its surroundings. It is hoped that through this program, the Javanese Literature Study Program at Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Indonesian Language Study Program at Osaka University will strengthen their relationship and collaborate again in the future.

Yogyakarta - Graduation is one of the final celebrations for students who have completed their undergraduate education after enduring the highs and lows of their final assignments or theses. In this joyous moment, the Gamelan Mahasiswa Sastra Jawa (GAMASUTRA) joined in to enhance the proceedings, providing musical accompaniment from beginning to end. The graduation ceremony for the Undergraduate Program of FIB UGM, Period VI, took place on Thursday, August 25th, at the Poerbatjaraka Auditorium.

GAMASUTRA had the opportunity to perform traditional Javanese compositions, including "gendhing gati" and several playful compositions such as "gendhing kupu kuwi" and "menthok-menthok." The event proceeded smoothly and solemnly.

The following students participated in GAMASUTRA's performance: Aufa (Kendang, Class of 2022), Diky Pringgo (Demung, Class of 2020), Laksita Amero (Saron, Class of 2021), Faradila (Saron, Class of 2021), Maria Ratnasari (Peking, Class of 2020), Ghalih Shindu Kirana (Slenthem, Class of 2020), Kintan (Bonang Barung, Class of 2022), Alifah (Bonang Penerus, Class of 2021), Bima Wicaksono (Kenong & Kethuk, Class of 2022), Pamungkas (Kempul & Snare, Class of 2020), Fauzan (Gender, Class of 2022), Ayumna Mutmainah (Gong, Class of 2020), Vighna Hernawan (Gerong Putri, Class of 2020), Anggra Dini (Gerong Putri, Class of 2020), Kamilia (Gerong Putri, Class of 2018), and Fadli Mohamad (Gerong Putra, Class of 2018).

Yogyakarta (18/09/2022), the Javanese Literature Study Program held a public lecture regarding the arrival of Islam to the island of Java. The public lecture entitled "The Arrival of Islam in Java in the 16th Century" was given directly by a lecturer and researcher from Osaka University, namely Ms. Yumi Sugahara. Based on the presentation made by Ms. Yumi, she said that she had conducted two symposiums related to the topic under study. The texts she uses for his research materials are historical materials dating back to the Dutch colonial period in the 16th century.

At the public lecture, Mrs. Yumi explained that in the 14th century, there were many Islamic tombs around Hindu temples, but unfortunately not much supporting information such as manuscripts was found, as a result, it was very difficult to find historical stories from that century. Unlike the 16th century, there are many manuscripts have been found that contain more about Islam, but not many have researched this. Mrs. Yumi also explained that many of the researchers used research objects from the 19th century because they were considered to have various variations and discussions about "Java."

What was reviewed in Mrs. Yumi's public lecture was about Sufism. She explained that Sufism can be divided into three, namely mysticism, ethics, and popular worship. Based on what Yumi has researched, there is an opinion from G. W. J. Drewes who states that the character that is mostly told in the script is Sunan Bonang, the main character of the nine known saints. One of the suluk manuscripts that is assumed to have been written by Sunan Bonang himself is a manuscript stored in the Leiden Library with the Cod code. Or. 1928 in Javanese language and script. The manuscript is assumed to have been written by Sunan Bonang in the 16th century which contains a discussion between Sunan Bonang and his teacher, Syeh Bari, about theology and Sufism.

In addition to the material presentation by Ms. Yumi, the public lecture also held a question and answer session to facilitate and channel things that the public lecture participants wanted to know more about. Through the public lecture entitled "The Arrival of Islam in Java in the 16th Century", the organizer of the activity, which in this case was the Javanese Literature Study Program, hopes that this activity can add to the knowledge of the participants, especially Javanese Literature students.

Friday (23/09/2022), the Javanese Literature Study Program successfully held a public lecture with the topic "Yogyakarta << Versailles of Java >> Architectural History and the Making of Heritage City” which is located in the Soegondo building room 709, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. This public lecture took place from 01.00 pm to 03.00  pm WIB and was attended by students of the UGM Javanese Literature Study Program who were interested and enthusiastic about the Javanese architectural history of Yogyakarta City.

The public lecture was guided by Nurmalia Habibah, S.S., M.A., a lecturer in Javanese Literature at UGM in the field of philology, as the Master of Ceremony (MC) and Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.A., a lecturer in Javanese Literature at the UGM in the field of linguistics, as the moderator.

The speakers at this event were Dr. Helene Njoto, a researcher specializing in the history of early modern Indonesian art and architecture, particularly in the early Islamic and early colonial periods (around the 15th century to the first half of the 19th century). Since 2021, she has been part of the École Française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO) in Jakarta, an institution under the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research that studies classical Asian civilizations through the humanities and social sciences.

(Dr. Helene Njoto (at the center) is presenting the material)

In this seminar, Dr. Helene Njoto gave a presentation to participants about the architecture of the city of Yogyakarta before the outbreak of the Diponegoro War. “After Prince Diponegoro was arrested in 1833, Yogyakarta was in a very state of collapse. However, from the ruins, it can be guessed that the City of Yogyakarta was once a great kingdom. Although not up to 1/10 of its glory remains, Yogyakarta's glory can be seen from the many large stone ruins. Even in the records of Carel Sirardus William van Hogendrop, the 46th Governor General of the Indies, Yogyakarta was referred to as Versailles of Java.” she said.

In addition, Dr. Helene Njoto also highlighted the interesting fact that Taman Sari, one of Yogyakarta's tourist destinations, was the work of a Javanese architect, not a Portuguese architect. “About 2 years ago, it was said that Taman Sari was built by a Portuguese architect because Taman Sari was built with bricks and specs. Bricks and specs are assessed very differently from wooden architecture which is synonymous with Javanese architecture. However, if examined more closely, the reality is not like that.” she explained.

She continued, “The first ruler of Yogyakarta, namely Prince Mangkubumi, was the builder of the largest construction site by a Javanese ruler to date, Taman Sari. The real Taman Sari is wide and currently only 1/3 remains, the rest is gone. Taman Sari began to be built in the early 1750s with an area of ​​about 80 square meters, to the southeast of the center of the Yogyakarta Palace. Taman Sari's architect was Prince Mangundipura. Prince Mangundipura even visited Batavia twice to seek inspiration for the construction of Taman Sari.”

After Dr. Helene Njoto's presentation, the moderator opened the question session. The participants of this public lecture showed high enthusiasm by asking various questions related to Javanese architecture.

Dr. Helene Njoto gave a message to students to want to visit relic sites from the past. “For literature students, of course, there are many things and elements that can be captured. Not only what is contained in the manuscripts, but also depicted on the remains, namely in the reliefs. Therefore, do not hesitate to go to the field. While they are still young and while these sites still exist and can be visited.”

By convening this public lecture, it is hoped that it can generate motivation and open participants insights about Javanese architecture, especially for those who are interested in making it an object of research.

"Hopefully this public lecture can add to our insights about how magnificent Javanese architecture is and can also be a motivation, especially for fellow students who will make Javanese architecture an object of research," said Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.Hum., in the closing session the public lecture.

Thursday (4/8/2022), was the first time for new students of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences to get to know their respective study programs. This is one of the agendas of PPSMB Kampung Budaya 2022, namely in the study program session. In this session, new students are introduced to various matters related to their respective study programs, such as introduction to teaching lecturers, introduction to the subjects to be studied, knowledge about the qualifications of Study Design Cards, and so on. One of these activities was carried out by new students of the 2022 Javanese Literature study program.

At the session, new students of the Javanese Literature Study Program received a warm welcome from the head of the Javanese Literature Study Program, Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum. along with other teaching lecturers such as Nurmalia Habibah, S.S., M.A., Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.A., Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P, M.A., and Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A. The study program session began with remarks from Ms. Daru Winarti and continued with the introduction of teaching lecturers, including lecturers who are currently studying abroad such as Zakaria Pamuji A., S.S., M.A. Those who are currently abroad participate in welcoming new students of the Javanese Literature Study Program through the zoom meeting.

In addition to remarks from the lecturers, new Javanese Literature students also received a warm welcome from the Javanese Literature Student Association, commonly called KAMASTAWA. Several students who are members of the board of the association participated in enlivening the activity. Many things were conveyed by the lecturers at the study program session at that time. Starting from messages to continue studying hard, and participating in preserving Javanese culture, to messages to always maintain the name of the Javanese Literature Study Program. Even though it was relatively short, this opportunity became a very valuable moment for new students of Javanese Literature.

Dening:  Hafidh Ahmad

Miwiti pangkur kang sekar

Mula buka isi alam sakalir

Samodra darat lan gunung

Langit uga akasa

Kabeh mau ciptaning kang Maha Agung

Kalebu uga manungsa

Makhluk dharat lan jaladri

Kabeh mau wus cinipta

Kang minangka kanggo makhluk sakalir

Iku kodrate ywang Agung

Samya mat sinamatan

Janma kewan watu uga tanem tuwuh

Janma ingkang pinasrahan

Lestarining alam kabir

By: Ahmad Nur Astha

Tansah katon aneng netra

Eseman lan gemuyu 

Ora bisa dilalekake

Tansah kelingan saben dinane

Wayah dalu durung bisa nendra

Wewayangan mung kumanthil ing sotya

Inten kang dadi pepundhen

Sing tak antu nganti tekan saklawase

Dhuh dyah ayu 

Tulung ngertenana rasaku

Tulus suci mung kanggo sliramu

Tekaning pati tak jaga tresnamu

Today, the quality of education in Indonesia is increasing. It should be realized that many young people have high quality and potential. This has an impact on the number of new student admission quotas at each tertiary institution, one of which is Universitas Gadjah Mada, Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Each study program in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences has the opportunity to increase the number of students who will be accepted in 2022. Of course, this opportunity is also felt by the Javanese Literature Study Program which is part of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences.

At the end of the new student re-registration period, the number of students who used to be only around 35, has now jumped to 51 people. The number that jumped to almost 100% was surprising because this number was the first time the Javanese Literature Study Program had new students with a number exceeding 35. This news was certainly surprising for the lecturers who teach in the Javanese Literature Study Program. Many did not expect that the Javanese Literature Study Program was in great demand by many new students. The condition of the increasing number of new students also requires teaching lecturers to make adjustments in classroom learning, to create a conducive learning atmosphere.

The increase in the number of new students is a source of pride academic to the Javanese Literature academic community. The diversity of individual potentials of each student provides a new color for the Javanese Literature Study Program, especially for the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. It is proven by the presence of students with such potential masters of ceremonies, dalang, sinden, pengrawit, dancers, and others. This indirectly means that the quality of human resources in the Javanese Literature Study Program is getting better and increasing from year to year.