The word “Bedhaya” refers to female palace dancers, while “ketawang” is derived from “tawang” which means “the sky”, therefore Bedhaya Ketawang is said to be a dance from the sky. This Javanese dance is deemed sacred to the Mataram sultanates of both Surakarta and Yogyakarta. The dance from the sky can only be performed once a year at sultan coronation ceremonies. 

Bedhaya Ketawang is performed by nine virgin girls, dressed in complete Javanese traditional bridal costume and make-up. The dance tells the story of Mataram’s first king, Panembahan Senapati (1587-1601) and his romantic relationship with Kanjeng Ratu Kencana Hadisari, famously known as Ratu Pantai Selatan (Nyi Roro Kidul). 

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The two hour-long dance is comprised of three parts, each representing one stanza. The first stanza depicts the king and queen falling in love, serenaded by Durma and Ratnamulya songs amid soft gamelan sounds. 

The second stanza illustrates the consummation of the king and queen’s marriage and features concealed sensual movements. The last stanza tells the story of their parting, as they live in different dimensions. 

Bedhaya Ketawang is different from other Javanese traditional dances. Slow movements, accompanied by soft gamelan rhythms, are the signature of the dance. The accompanying music is produced from the sounds of Gending Ketawang Ageng, with its diatonic melodies. The instruments used include the traditional Javanese xylophone (gambang), fiddle (rebab), flute, kethuk, kenok, gong, traditional drums (kendhang) and kemanak. 

KGPH Puger, one of the sons of Paku Buwono XII said, “The message of the dance is that all the descendants of Panembahan Senopati will be the husband of Kanjeng Ratu Kidul to protect the Mataram kingdom.”

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The thick sacred air surrounding the Bedhaya Ketawang dance can be felt even before it is performed. As a form of respect to the dance, the dancers undertake a week-long fasting ritual prior to the performance. A number of offerings, including seven-kinds of flowers and a set of clothes and makeup are also prepared to accompany the performance. According to legend, the clothes and makeup must be identical to those worn by the dancers as it is believed that Nyi Roro Kidul or Ratu Pantai Selatan herself will join the dance alongside the other nine dancers.

According to KGPH Puger, the bendara bedhaya (bedhaya dancers) must train every Kliwon (Javanese calendar day) or every 35 days. Intensive training begins ten days prior to the Tingalan Jumenengan ceremony inside the palace. 

“In every practice session, they must wear the complete set of clothes worn on performance day. The practice place is within the Sasana Sewaka (the palace’s main building), and is accompanied by special gamelan as well,” he said. 

The original Bedhaya Ketawang used to be performed for the full two-hour duration. However, since the reign of Paku Buwana X (1893-1939), the duration has been cut to 90 minutes. At the 13th Tingalan Jumenengan ceremony, April 22, The Bedhaya Ketawang dance was only performed for 30 minutes by seven dancers, all students of the Indonesia Art Institute (ISI) in Surakarta, and not by palace dancers. 

Daughter of Paku Buwono XIII, GKR Timoer Rumbai Kusuma Dewayani said, “The Bedhaya Ketawang must not be performed carelessly. The recent dance was performed by dancers from outside the palace with only a few practice sessions. As a cultural society, we are afraid to experience bad karma because of this.” (asw)