Javanese dance

Javanese dance

Is usually associated with Wayang Wong, and the palaces of Yogyakarta and Surakarta due to the nature of dance being a pusaka or sacred heirloom from ancestors of the palace rulers. These expressive dances are more than just dances, however; they are also used for moral education, emotional expression, and spreading the Javanese culture.

Types of Javanese Dance

There are three basic types of Javanese dance:Fact|date=September 2008

#Beksan putra – These are the dances for men, which serve two purposes: a military close-order drill and highlighting martial skills. Dancers may learn beksan putra dances to familiarize themselves with the movements for narrative dances.
#Beksan putri – Putri is the Javanese word for female, and these dances include courtly dances designed for royal events with very precise movements and distinct staging with subtle layers of meaning. Such dances were often used for entertainment or courtship.
#Beksan wayang – These are narrative dances from epic poems, and usually are named after the characters in them, usually an alus-style hero and a gagah-style villain.

References

*Brakel-Papenhuyzen, Clara (1995)"Classical Javanese Dance" Leiden KITLV Press ISBN 906718053X
*Soedarsono (1984) "Wayang Wong" Yogyakarta Gadjah Mada University Press