The Character of Ken Dedes (right) as a child is accompanied by her father, mother and friends during a performance at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta. (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)

Feminist values are not only present among recent generations. Even during the ancient Singasari kingdom, women were glorified in their own unique way.

Through her latest project, Ken Dedes — The Woman Behind the Throne, producer Enny Sulistyowati wants to redefine feminism through the lens of local wisdom. “We hope that the audience can see Ken Dedes as a symbol of righteousness and wisdom through the objectivity of history,” Enny said.

Ken Dedes was an integrated show comprising dancing, music, a theatrical play and costumes, all mixed with multimedia art. The show was organized by Tri Ardhika Productions and performed at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, and involving 150 dancers and artists from across Java.

In Indonesia, the tale of Ken Dedes, the first lady of Singasari, has been talked of for generations in order to honor women. She was the mother of Javanese rulers, her name deriving from the fact that her offspring, including Raden Wijaya, Kertanegara, Hayam Wuruk and the whole Rajasa dynasty, ended up ruling a glorious kingdom in Java.

The show opened with the sight of a human-sized Prajnya Paramita statue sitting idly with a red curtain as the background. It is commonly believed that the original Prajnya Paramita statue, now restored as a national monument, is a depiction of Ken Dedes.

Eight brahmanas (Hindu spiritual teachers) clad in yellow arrived, formed a circle and began to worship her.

The audience gasped when the statue moved, coming to life and beginning to dance. Not even the stone-colored skin could hide the beauty of Ken Dedes. As the pace quickened, the red curtains opened, showing a beam of moonlight.

The stage was then filled with young female dancers hovering around a stone ladder, with Nyi Purwo gracefully kneeling. Her husband, Mpu Purwo, climbed down a nearby ladder. They then danced together to celebrate the birth of their daughter, Ken Dedes.

The long-haired little Ken Dedes then appeared along with a pack of young girls. The background changed into a village settlement. The young women played and giggled together until Ken Dedes’ parents joined and danced with her. Then the youth changed into the grown-up version of Ken Dedes, with glorious jewelry and a dashing wardrobe.

Ascendant: Ken Dedes takes Tunggul Ametung’s throne, altering the Singasari kingdom’s fortunes, in Ken Dedes – The Woman Behind the Throne performed in Jakarta on Saturday. (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)
Out of the blue, a man with a beard arrived on stage and wooed her. “What a beautiful lady! So dazzling, so enchanting.”

He was the ruler of Tumapel, Tunggul Ametung, who was known for his tyrannical behavior. Ken Dedes rejected him and attempted to run away, only to be surrounded by Tunggul Ametung’s subordinates. Her dignified yet scared dancing matched well with Ametung’s greedy moves.

Ken Dedes’s moral compass objected to her serving the despotic Ametung. However, she had no choice. The dancers who played Ametung’s minions grabbed her and Tunggul Ametung carried her away on his shoulder in glory.

A group of female and male dancers, along with a beautiful woman, then made their entrance. Tunggul Ametung returned and flirted with the beautiful woman, Ken Dara, showing his womanizing side. Ken Dara was played by dangdut singer Inul Daratista, popular for her phenomenal “drilling” dance.

Inul was part of the cast along with Enny Sulistyowati, Dewi Sulastri, Trin Heri Pitoyo, Hendro Yulianto and Ida Riyani. The opera was supported by the Education and Culture Ministry, and was attended by the mayor of Malang — the former site of the Singasari kingdom – and ambassadors from several countries. The mayor himself even advised on the script, which was written by archaeologist Dwi Cahyono.

“Aum Bhuh Bhuvah Sva, Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi, Dhiyo Yo nah Prachodayat” the opera continued as the Gayatri mantra was chanted by the singers. Ken Arok, Ametung’s rival, entered. He wanted to take over Tumapel and help the people move toward prosperity and justice.

After being convinced and assured by Ken Dedes, he planned a coup and removed Ametung from power. The story ended with Ken Dedes crowned as the parameswari (queen) of Singasari, and she helped to develop the kingdom together with Ken Arok. A group of dancers sang along while holding a plaited basket, symbolizing the prosperity of Singasari, which had finally arrived.