23 Gendhing, King, and Events: The Creation of Gendhing Panembrama During Pakubuwana X Joko Daryanto1, Rustopo2, Bambang Sunarto2 1Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia 2Institut Seni Indonesia Surakarta, Indonesia Submitted: 2021-02-15. Revised: 2021-03-29. Accepted: 2021-05-01 Abstract Gendhing Panembrama was a creative and innovative product when Paku Buwana X reigned in the Negari Surakarta. Gendhing Panembrama emerged when the Dutch East Indies government im- posed restrictions on political and economic activities in Karaton Surakarta. The restriction aimed to remove Paku Buwana X’s legitimacy from the political and economic side. Gendhing Panem- brama became one of the symbols of Paku Buwana X’s resistance to the Dutch East Indies govern- ment policy. Resistance through the creation of Gendhing Panembrama resulted in the enforcement of the king of Surakarta’s sovereignty and legitimacy. This study aims to reveal the background of the Gendhing Panembrama creation and the events surrounding the Gendhing Panembrama crea- tion. This study employed a historical approach and symbolic interpretation. From the study conducted, it was concluded that the creation of Gendhing Panembrama was a means for Paku Buwana X in maintaining his sovereignty and legitimacy. The intelligence of Paku Buwana X in managing the musical arts amid the political pressure of the Dutch East Indies government, in the end, could radiate his majesty, authority, and power and maintain the Javanese tradition of the Karaton Surakarta. Keywords: Gendhing Panembrama, cultural symbols, Paku Buwana X How to Cite: Daryanto, J., Rustopo, R., & Sunarto, B. (2021). Gendhing, King, and Events: The Creation of Gendhing Panembrama During Pakubuwana X. Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research And Education, 21(1), 23-34 Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education 21 (1) (2021), 23-34 Available online at http://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/index.php/harmonia DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15294/harmonia.v21i1.29099 the suluk architectural aesthetic principles that consider regularity, beauty, and har- mony (Santosa 2007, 120). The existence of Karaton Surakarta is also supported by the activities of various arts that are still alive within the palace. One of the arts that are still alive in the karaton is karawitan [musi- cal instrument] art. Karaton Surakarta’s ka- rawitan is a musical institution part of the Karaton Surakarta entity that carries out its activities in the palace environment. It is run by palace officials called abdi dalem niyaga is tied by the norms and rules that apply in Karaton Surakarta. INTRODUCTION Karaton Surakarta (Surakarta Palace) is one of the Mataram Kingdom’s succes- sors divided by the Giyanti agreement (1755). The agreement contents stated that Mataram was divided into two, namely Surakarta and Yogyakarta. The Giyanti Agreement was signed on February 13, 1755, known as the Palihan Nagari (Divisi- on of Mataram Territory) incident (Joeba- gio 2002, 182). The existence of the Kara- ton Surakarta is still quite strong, marked by the form of a physical building with Corresponding author: E-mail: jokodaryanto@staff.uns.ac.id p-ISSN 2541-1683|e-ISSN 2541-2426 Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education 21 (1) (2021): 23-3424 The karawitan activities of Karaton Surakarta performed by the abdi dalem niy- aga resulted in a product in the form of gendhing (songs). Abdi dalem niyaga is a cre- ator and musician who plays gendhing for various purposes in the karaton. Gendhing in the reality of Javanese life is interpreted and functioned in various ways. Gendhing is used to meet an aesthetic need and is also used for various purposes: social ritu- als, religious expressions, and related fun- ctions with various art branches. Gendhing is employed to refer to musical composi- tions in Javanese karawitan. Musical com- position is decoded as a unified system that includes the relationships between musical elements that are united and har- moniously integrated (Sunarto 2020, 106). These elements comprise instrumental and vocal melodies, rhythm, laya (tempo), tuning, pathet (tone setting), instrument selection, dynamics, and form. Gendhing is understood as an imaginary musical ex- pression full of aesthetic, ethical, symbolic, and philosophical values (Waridi 2003, 300-301). The Karaton Surakarta’s karawitan places gendhing as one of the pillars of the Karaton Surakarta’s karawitan life. The cre- ativity of the gendhing creation is one of the parameters for the progress of Karaton Surakarta’s karawitan. The karawitan life of the Karaton Sura- karta reached its peak during Pakubuwa- na X’s reign (Priyatmoko 2019, 120). At that time, gendhing with various functions was created. Karaton Surakarta’s karawitan are grouped according to its function; for example, Gendhing Beksan, which are gend- hing used to support dance performances, Gendhing Pakeliran to refer to the gendhing that support wayang performances, and so on. One of gendhing created during Pakubuwana X’s reign was Gendhing Pa- nembrama. It is called the Gendhing Panem- brama because gendhing in this category was created to honor an important event involving the king, empress, king’s son, and people considered essential by the Karaton Surakarta community. Gendhing Panembrama was created to mark impor- tant events, such as awarding honorary stars or other honors to the king and his relatives. Gendhing Panembrama’s creation is also related to visiting events from do- mestic and foreign guests. During Pakubu- wana X’s reign, gendhing that was categori- zed as Gendhing Panembrama emerged. At this time, Pakubuwana X received many honorary stars and other honors from the partner or fellow countries. At the behest of Pakubuwana X, abdi dalem niyaga orde- red to perpetuate the event of giving ho- norary stars or other honors from Karaton Surakarta’s partner or fellow countries to Pakubuwana X. The innovation of Karaton Surakarta’s karawitan works resulted from masters’ and musical creators’ thoughts at that time. Gendhing Panembrama functions as a gendhing in honor of Sunan (the king’s term for Karaton Surakarta) or royal guests visiting Karaton Surakarta. The karawitan works in the form of Gendhing Panembra- ma during the reign of Pakubuwana X was motivated by the many awards received by Sunan. The event of receiving an award in the form of an honorary star (especially from abroad) is vital for the Karaton com- munity. The giving of the award strengt- hens the belief of the Karaton people and Surakarta in general that Sunan is the most respected king (Larson 1990, 45). Gendhing Panembrama work during Pakubuwana X’s reign was reported by Pradjapangrawit, as the following quote: Sajumeneng dalem Sampeyan Dalem Ing- kang Minulya saha Wicaksana Paku Bu- wana X wau, tansah anampeni pisungsung bintang saking manca nagari (manca praja liyan nagri) ngantos kathah, andayani saya tambahing kaluhuran dalem. Saben mentas tampi lajeng dipun pengeti, inggih punika wonten ing Serat Panembrama ingkang tin- rap ing geronganing gendhing. (Pradjapan- grawit 1990, 150) [Since the throne of becoming king, Pa- kubuwana X has often received star awards from abroad, which has resulted in increasing the king’s authority. Every time receiving an honorary star is com- memorated in the Serat Panembrama in the form of gerongan song lyrics, a gend- hing.] Joko Daryanto et al., Gendhing, King, and Events: The Creation of Gendhing Panembrama 25 Based on Pradjapangrawit’s notes, it can be ascertained that Gendhing Panem- brama appeared during Pakubuwana X’s reign as a marker of receiving an honorary star award event from abroad to Pakubu- wana X. The naming of Gendhing Panem- brama was based on the function of crea- ting gendhing, namely, to honor and mark the event of awarding an honorary star award to Pakubuwana X. The period of Pakubuwana X’s reign was marked by the issuance of the Dutch East Indies government’s policies, which did not take sides with Karaton Surakarta. Pakubuwana X was likened to a prisoner in his palace due to the Dutch East Indies government’s political policies (Kuntowi- joyo 1999, 85). Activities related to politics were restricted by the Dutch East Indies government. The Dutch East Indies go- vernment also limited the economic activi- ties of karaton, so that Pakubuwana X lost legitimacy in politics and economy. Pa- kubuwana X’s position was that of a king but was no longer in full power. Pakubu- wana X only had the status of the Dutch administrator (houfhoudende) for Surakarta (Kuntowijoyo 2004, 22). If a king’s political and economic authority and power are li- mited, it can be said that the legitimacy of the king’s power has run out. The Dutch East Indies government’s limitation of aut- hority and power resulted in a reduction in the king’s political power and a decline in the economic field. The limitation of political and eco- nomic activities and the glorious karawitan life of the Karaton Surakarta during the Pa- kubuwana X’s reign are two opposing si- des. The restrictions imposed by the Dutch East Indies government did not dampen abdi dalem niyaga’s creativity in creating gendhing as an event marker or Gendhing Panembrama. Two opposing sides between the limitation of political and economic ac- tivities and the glory of the karawitan life of the Karaton Surakarta raises the question of the problem formulation in this research. Why did, in a situation where political and economic activities were restricted, give rise to creativity in the form of Gendhing Panembrama? Sunarto (2005), Waridi (2006), and Rustopo (2007) wrote about the Karaton Surakarta musical during the reign of Paku Buwana X, but the studies did not mention the creative process of creating Gendhing Panembrama. Sumarsam (2003) mentioned the emergence of the Gendhing Panembrama creation during the reign of Paku Buwana X. However, the research has not revealed the background of the Gendhing Panembra- ma creation. Santosa (2007), Kuntowijoyo (1999, 2004), Joebagio (2017), and Soerat- man (2000) wrote about the Karaton Sura- karta during the reign of Paku Buwana X. Nevertheless, the creative process of crea- ting Gendhing Panembrama and the events surrounding it has not been revealed in these studies. Therefore, the background of the Gendhing Panembrama creation pro- cess is interesting to reveal until an answer is found to the question of why Paku Bu- wana X initiated the creation of Gendhing Panembrama. METHOD This qualitative research applied a historical approach so that historical re- search procedures, including heuristics, source criticism, interpretation, and histo- riography, were conducted in this study. The data sources in this study were histo- rical data, which had different qualities in providing information, so a classification of data sources was required. The sour- ce of historical data used in this research was the archives. The use of archives as a data source in this study is because archi- ves occupy the highest position than other historical sources (Lohanda 2011, 2). The data collection techniques employed li- terature study methods, document stu- dies, and interviews. Historical analysis, which is identical to the interpretation of historical data, was used in this stu- dy. Interpretation is the interpretation of facts to be written so that they have meaning in the context of a study. These facts are viewed as being related, then adjusted to the study’s focus and use so Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education 21 (1) (2021): 23-3426 that they really deserve to be used as a basis for writing history. Historical in- terpretation or analysis is carried out by synthesizing a number of facts obtained from historical sources and supported by appropriate theories so that the facts found can be interpreted as a whole by including a framework that comprises the concepts and theories that will be used in making the analysis (Kartodi- rdjo 1992, 2). The data obtained were interpreted and analyzed based on the theoretical framework used to produce facts that were relevant to the research objectives. RESULT AND DISCUSSION Gendhing Panembrama and the King’s Sovereignty ”Tuhu lamun nugraha dhatêngi, dèn- nya madêg katong, sri narendra ping sadasa dene...” (Gunamardawa 1936, 33-35). A sentence cut from one of the Gendhing Pa- nembrama, namely Ladrang Mijil Ludira La- ras Pelog Pathet barang, tells that since he became king of Surakarta, Paku Buwana X often received honorary stars or awards. The event when Paku Buwana X received an honorary star was always commemora- ted by Gendhing Panembrama. Paku Buwa- na X used Gendhing Panembrama as a mo- nument or marker of events. Every time he received an honorary star, Paku Buwana X ordered abdi dalem niyaga to make a new piece specially used as an event marker called Gendhing Panembrama (Pradjapan- grawit 1990, 154). Gendhing Panembrama was specially made when Paku Buwana X received an honorary star, received guest visits from outside the Surakarta area, and commemorated essential events at the Ka- raton Surakarta. For the palace’s people, visiting guests from outside Surakarta was a form of recognition of the king of Surakarta’s power. The arrival of the King of Siam, namely King Rama VII, and his consort to the Karaton Surakarta on Sunday, July 30, 1901, or Akad Pahing, 11 Mulud 1831 Dal, was interpreted as a form of recognition of Paku Buwana X’s sovereignty as the king of Surakarta. Ladrang Siyem laras slendro pathet nem was a marker of this important event. The ability of Paku Buwana X to es- tablish relations with foreign countries was increasingly seen by awarding ho- norary stars from several countries on the European Continent. The countries that gave Paku Buwana X an honorary star apart from the Netherlands included Ger- many, Cambodia, Africa, and China. The star of honor from Germany was Ridder der Tweede Klasse met de Ster der Orde van Verdiensten van Sint Michael ban Beieren, awarded to Paku Buwana X in June 1904. Gendhing Panembrama Ladrang Sri Wibawa laras slendro pathet sanga marked the star’s award from Bavaria, Germany. Another star of honor originating from Germany was Ridder der Tweede Klasse met de Ster der Orde van de Rooden Adelaar van Pruisen. Ridder der Tweede Klasse met de Ster der Orde van de Rooden Adelaar van Pruisen honora- ry star was awarded to Paku Buwana X in June 1905 or the year Alip 1834. Besides, Ridder der Tweede Klasse met de Ster der Orde van de Rooden Adelaar van Pruisen. Gendhing Panembrama Ladrang Sri Kuncara laras pelog pathet nem honorary star was created to event that Paku Buwana X received an ho- norary star from King Wilhelm II (Pradja- pangrawit 1990, 155-156). Ridder der Tweede Klasse met de Ster der Orde van de Rooden Adelaar van Pruisen honorary star received by Paku Buwana X from Germany was a gift from King Wil- helm II, Emperor of Germany and the last king of Prussia. The newspaper Darma Kandha reported a procession in August 1905 to celebrate Ridder der Tweede Klasse met de Ster der Orde van de Rooden Ade- laar van Pruisen honorary star awarding from Germany (Darma, 1905). Grootkruis der orde van Cambodja honorary star was received by Paku Buwana X from Cambo- dia on July 27, 1901. Gendhing Panembrama Ladrang Utama Laras slendro pathet manyura marked Paku Buwana X receiving an ho- norary star from Cambodia (Pradjapan- grawit 1990, 154). Joko Daryanto et al., Gendhing, King, and Events: The Creation of Gendhing Panembrama 27 The good relations between Paku Buwana X and rulers in foreign countries caused foreign rulers to sympathize with Paku Buwana X. China and Austria also awarded Paku Buwana X an honorary star. In Dal 1839 or August 1909, Paku Buwana X received an honorary star from China. Gendhing Panembrama Ladrang Sri Kaloka laras slendro pathet manyura by Mas Lurah Prawiramlaya became a sign that Paku Bu- wana X received the honorary star Ridder van den Tweeden Graad der Tweede Klasse van den Dubbelen Draak van China. Besides, Austria, one of the countries in the Europe continent, awarded the star Commandeur met de Ster der Oostenrijksche Orde van Frans Jozeph to Paku Buwana X. Pradjapangra- wit said that the Austrian star of honor with Komandur Medster saking ing Naga- ri Tanah Ostentrik. Gendhing Panembrama Ladrang Sri Widada laras pelog pathet barang was created to sign that Paku Buwana X received an honorary star from Austria. Ladrang Sri Widada laras pelog pathet barang was the work of BRM. Ngabehi Sujanapu- ra (Kanjeng Wiryadiningrat). Another Eu- ropean star of honor was Ridder der Eerste Klasse der Orde van onze Heere Jezus Christus van Portugal. Ketawang Sri Kacaryan laras slendro pathet manyura by R. Ng. Atmamar- dawa marked the occasion of awarding honorary stars from Portugal. Paku Bu- wana X’s friendship did not stop with the countries of Europe and Asia. An honora- ry star from Africa, Grootkruis der Orde van Nichan Iftinkhar van Tunis was awarded to Paku Buwana X in Jimakir 1858. Ketawang Sri Raharja laras pelog pathet barang by R Ng Atmamardawa became Gendhing Panem- brama marking the event of receiving an honorary star from Africa. Additionally, the honorary star from Tunisia on the Afri- can continent was pinned to Paku Buwana X in Jimakir 1858 (Pradjapangrawit 1990, 154-160). The palace cultural placement, inclu- ding the creation and sounding of Gend- hing Panembrama, was an indicator of Paku Buwana X’s sovereign consciousness as a king. Gendhing Panembrama as a marker of the event was sounded at the same time the ceremony was held for the awarding of an honorary star to Paku Buwana X. Du- ring the reign of Paku Buwana X, almost every ceremony was always held on a lar- ge scale. The ceremony, which was held on a large scale, involved the presence of karawitan to sound the Gendhing Panembra- ma. The sounding of Gendhing Panembrama in the ceremony of awarding the honora- ry star was one of the ways Paku Buwana X showed his power. Various regulations made by the Dutch East Indies govern- ment that narrowed the space for Paku Buwana X were not visible when Gendhing Panembrama sounded amidst the splendor of the ceremony. Paku Buwana X was still seen as a king who had all the power and authority during the ceremony. The sound of Gendhing Panembrama during the cere- mony of awarding the honorary star also showed that Paku Buwana X had a sove- reign consciousness as a king. The number of honorary stars from abroad also indicated that Paku Buwana X had excessive ability to manage good rela- tions with foreign countries. Paku Buwana X could position himself in the association with rulers from abroad. Paku Buwana X’s emotional intelligence made him a king who had advantages in socializing or had social skills. Skills in social relationships caused Paku Buwana X to build good re- lations with foreign rulers. The skills to socialize and develop good relationships with foreign rulers could indicate that Paku Buwana X had high emotional intel- ligence, even said to be someone who was a genius in emotional intelligence (Kun- towijoyo 2004, 8). Paku Buwana X’s skills in managing good relations with foreign countries earned him appreciation in the form of honorary stars from rulers in parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The ability of Paku Buwana X to ma- nage good relations with foreign rulers and friends was noted by Wangsaleksana in Biwadha Nata, as quoted below: Kathah sangêt para luhur măncapraja saha sanèsipun ingkang dados mitra dalêm, amargi pitêpangan dalêm namung sarwa lê- gawa, sinartan manis sarta rumakêting pan- Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education 21 (1) (2021): 23-3428 gandika dalêm, para mitra dalêm wau têmtu pinaringan tăndha katrêsnan warni-warni. Wondene tumrap para mitra dalêm, katarik saking rumaos kaleban kadarman dalêm, da- dos inggih kathah ingkang gêntos angaturi angsulipun misungsung warni-warni……. ………Tumrap kalihan nagari sanès: ka- parêng ambiyantu adêgipun tèntosêtèling agêng: awit saking kawontênan-kawontênan makatên wau, dados sampun pantês sangêt bilih sarira dalêm lajêng anampèni bintang- bintang maneka warni ngantos pintên-pin- tên. (Wangsaleksana 1936, 12) [There are so many foreign dignitaries who have become friends of Paku Bu- wana X because their friendship is based on mutual acceptance and good speech. Paku Buwana X’s colleagues are always given various souvenirs. Therefore, Paku Buwana X colleagues do not hesi- tate to give various signs of respect .... …… For friendly countries, Paku Bu- wana X often helps to establish extensive art galleries. Therefore, it is natural that Paku Buwana X often receives honorary stars ...] The quote from Biwadha Nata shows that Paku Buwana X could manage rela- tionships with his friends and fellow ru- lers from abroad. It can be seen that Paku Buwana X always gave a sign of katresnan (a sign of love) to his friends and collea- gues. Moreover, Paku Buwana X also took part in building an art gallery for friendly countries. The kindness of Paku Buwana X caused colleagues and friendly countries to award honorary stars in return for the kindness. Gendhing Panembrama as a Symbol of Hidden Resistance The Dutch East Indies government, which oversaw the vorstenlanden region, acknowledged that Paku Buwana X was a king who was obedient to the Dutch East Indies government. Paku Buwana X never showed open resistance to the Dutch East Indies government. During the reign of Paku Buwana X (1893-1939), the resident of Surakarta had changed 13 times. Howe- ver, there are no reports that Paku Buwana X reneged on the verklaring corte, which he had signed before ascending to the throne. Paku Buwana X’s obedience to the Dutch East Indies government was shown by paying tribute to the Queen of the Nether- lands at the coronation of the Queen of the Netherlands, the 25th anniversary of the Queen of the Netherlands, and the 25th an- niversary of the Queen of the Netherlands (Wangsaleksana 1936, 12). For his attitude, Paku Buwana X received many honorary stars from the Dutch East Indies govern- ment. Among the honorary stars from the Netherlands were Commandeur der Eers- te Klasse met de Ster der Orde van Hendrik der Leeuw van Brunswijk. Pradjapangrawit called Commandeur der Eerste Klasse met de Ster der Orde van Hendrik der Leeuw van Brunswijk with Komandur Medster Orde Pan Endrakde Leo Pan Broswik. The honorary star was awarded to Paku Buwana X in March 1910 or 1830 Be in the calculation of the Javanese calendar. Gendhing Panem- brama Ladrang Sri Kretarta laras pelog pathet nem was made as a mark of star awarding Commandeur der Eerste Klasse met de Ster der Orde van Hendrik der Leeuw van Brunswijk. Gendhing Panembrama Ladrang Sri Kretarta laras pelog pathet nem was a joint work of M. Lr. Prawiramlaya, M. Lr. Purwapangrawit, and Raden Riya Gunapangrawit (Pradja- pangrawit 1990, 157). Ridder Grootkruis in de Orde van Oranje Nassau met de Zwaarden honorary star from the Netherlands was awarded to Paku Bu- wana X in 1952 Ehe (Javanese calendar) or March 1912. Gendhing Panembrama Ladrang Sri Nasao laras pelog pathet barang the work of RM. Ngabehi Praja Busana marked the awarding of Groot Kreis Oranye Nasao star. The next honorary star from the Nether- lands was Grootkruis van der Keizerlijke Orde van Annam. R Ng Atma Mardawa’s Gendhing Panembrama Ladrang Sri Kawentar laras slndro pathet manyura work marked the awarding of Grootkruis van der Keizerlij- ke Orde van Annam honorary star. Ladrang Sri Kawentar laras slndro pathet manyura was originally named Ladrang Sri Kasusra laras slendro pathet manyura. When Paku Buwa- Joko Daryanto et al., Gendhing, King, and Events: The Creation of Gendhing Panembrama 29 na X received the Grootkruis van der Keizer- lijke Orde van Annam honorary star, with the permission of Kanjeng Wiryadiningrat, Ladrang Sri Kasusra laras slendro pathet ma- nyura was renamed to Ladrang Sri Kawentar laras slendro pathet manyura (Pradjapangra- wit 1990, 158). Gendhing Panembrama domi- nated karawitan work during the reign of Paku Buwana X. Paku Buwana X, who ruled from 1893-1939, fought against the Dutch East Indies government through cultural sym- bols. The optimization of cultural symbols, including musicals, was carried out by Paku Buwana X because of the awareness that culture was the remaining sovereignty and was not intervened by the Dutch East Indies government. Adapting to political realities through cultural paths made Paku Buwana X arrange Surakarta residents to conform to the prevailing protocol when a cultural event was held at the Karaton Surakarta. Resistance through this cultural path made the resident, who should have been above Sunan in the context of sub- ordination domination, could be managed by Paku Buwana X (Kuntowijoyo 2004, 94- 95). Resistance through this cultural route signified the success of Paku Buwana X in maintaining his existence and legitimacy as the king of Surakarta. Gendhing Panembrama as a Symbol of Legitimating Paku Buwana X’s Power The rapid development of karawitan during Pakubuwana X’s reign, which was marked by the emergence of innovation and creativity in the creation of gendhing, could not be separated from the king’s interests in karawitan. A king, of course, wants his position to be recognized by all. Therefore, all efforts were made to ensure that the king who reigned was most entit- led to occupy the kingdom’s throne. Phra- ses in Javanese literature describe the king as ratu gung binathara (deified king), ber bandha - ber bandhu (rich in property and relatives), mbaudhendha nyakrawati (having the power to punish and rule the world). It indicates that the king’s position is above all. In the traditional Javanese leadership system, a king must have elements as in the phrases as the country’s leader. Apart from that, a king must also have four ot- her elements: sekti, mandraguna, mukti, and authority. Sekti means having supernatu- ral powers, mandraguna means proficient in all fields, mukti means having a high position, and authority means having a strong influence. If a king owns these ele- ments, his power becomes solid. For this reason, various means or tools are needed so that the king’s position is recognized by the people to obey and submit to all his or- ders (Kasdi 2003, 18). The next elements that can be used to strengthen the position of a king are called king legitimacy tools. Soemarsaid Moertono used the term the cult of pomp to refer to a means of legitimacy or me- ans of strengthening the position of a king and classified it into two types: the cult of pomp, which is immaterial or abstract, and the cult of pomp, which is material or more concrete and visible. However, the two means ultimately lead to the same goal: the disclosure of the microcosmic and macro- cosmic relationships that make a king a replica of government in heaven. The Ja- vanese consider heaven’s kingdom to have incomparable advantages and abundant wealth apart from having advantages in the spiritual realm (Moertono 1985, 73). In this case, gendhing is a means that can be used to strengthen the king of Surakarta’s position. The creative pro- cess in the form of the development of the work, wilet (sound connection), and instrument play patterns boil down to the gendhing creation. At Karaton Surakarta, the creative process was carried out by empu (masters) and abdi dalem niyaga. The role of abdi dalem niyaga in the development of the Karaton Surakarta’s karawitan is huge. Karaton Surakarta’s abdi dalem niyaga are people who have an inner inclination and fully attentive to life and bring to life the musical culture of karawitan through the aesthetic format of gamelan sounds (Bam- bang Soenarto, 2005: 16). They are the cre- ators and the music organizers capable of thinking about karawitan development for- Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education 21 (1) (2021): 23-3430 mat from time to time. Abdi dalem niyaga played such a vital role that the karaton’s karawitan could last for so long. It even reached the golden age during Pakubuwa- na X’s reign. The importance of karawitan’s role in the traditional life of the karaton, in the end, made the musical one of the legiti- macy tools for the Karaton Surakarta King’s power. Gendhing Panembrama, the result of innovation and creativity of the Karaton Surakarta’s abdi dalem niyaga, was a means of affirming the legitimacy of Pakubuwa- na X’s power. Gendhing Panembrama mar- ked the awarding of service stars and ot- her honors to Pakubuwana X from fellow countries. Gendhing Panembrama’s creation denoted that Pakubuwana X still had a lot of power and authority. Surakarta people during Pakubuwa- na X’s reign often referred to Surakarta as Negari Gung (the great state). A great sta- te was formed because there was a close relationship between the kingdom, the king, and the people. On the other hand, the great country placed the kingdom at the center of the government cosmology. Meanwhile, the relationship between the king and the people in the kingdom’s po- litical language was called manunggaling kawula gusti. The relationship between the king and the people (kawula-gusti) showed the relationship between the high and the low; it indicated the close interdependen- ce between two different but inseparable elements, two elements that are actually two aspects of the same thing (Moertono 1985, 25). It can be seen that the king and the people are one unit and have interde- pendent characteristics. In this case, the Ja- vanese likens the unity of this relationship to a ring (sesupe). The king was the sesotya (gemstone), and the people were as the em- banan (bond). In a ring, the two parts found a symbiotic mutualism. The cosmology concept as the basic concept of the Javanese king’s power, of course, was reflected in the king’s mind and produced various means of strengthe- ning power, one of which was karawitan. In other words, the cosmology concept ente- red the realm of Javanese traditional music that developed in the karaton, namely kara- witan. The gamelan’s function to legitimate the king’s power was not only seen from the gamelan instruments as heirlooms. When the gamelan is played, the Javanese gamelan’s music system is also related to strengthening the king’s position. In Ja- vanese karawitan, various structures were found, for example, the lancaran structure, the ketawang structure, the ladrang struc- ture, the merong structure, and the Inggah structure. The structure was determined by the interweaving of the structural rici- kan (instrument) wasp patterns, namely the kethuk, kenong, and kempul. Structural ri- cikan is ricikan whose wasp patterns (play) with one another link to form a structure according to the gendhing form, or in other words, the structure of the wasp pattern of structural ricikan determines or is deter- mined by the gendhing form (Supanggah 1984, 6). The Javanese Karawitan knows a group of ricikan whose task is to play the main melody, namely the ricikan balungan group. The ricikan balungan category in- cludes saron barung, saron penerus, demung, slenthem, and bonang panembung. These ricikans play the main melody, which can then be identified with a dot. When gend- hing runs for a certain amount of time, the structural ricikan weaves a wasp pattern to form a particular structure. The points where the structural ricikan comes into play can hereafter be called salient points. The salient points on the several horizontal lines, in the end, meet at the same place. The greater the number of horizontal lines that meet at a certain point, the more in- fluential the position of that point is in the formal structure. In this case, the gong’s se- leh (sound) is the central point used as the center or estuary of all instrument playing. Hierarchically, the gong is the most salient point, namely the meeting of all parts of the kenong points contained in the gendhing structure. Kenong is a meeting between kethuk and kempul. This analysis reveals that in the Javanese gendhing struc- ture, there are two forms of the cycle: a large cycle and a smaller cycle. The cycle Joko Daryanto et al., Gendhing, King, and Events: The Creation of Gendhing Panembrama 31 that occurs in the gendhing structure is the repetition of large cycle forms and smal- ler cycle encounters in the form of larger cycles, or cycles in cycles. This gamelan music system ultimately leads to strengt- hening cosmological concepts and king position (Becker 1980, 26-29). It is said to strengthen cosmological concepts and the position of a king because such a mu- sic system was built with stringent rules according to Javanese musical karawitan principles such as pathet, structure, form, and laras principles. Gong’s seleh, which is the most cru- cial point in the Javanese music system, is personified as a king because it occu- pies the highest hierarchy. Meanwhile, the small dots that form small cycles can be personified as people (kawula). The presentation of Javanese gendhing reflects the relationship between the king and the people or manunggaling kawula gusti. The closeness between the king and the peop- le can be seen from the length of the gend- hing composition. Thus, not all people can be close to the king even though the clo- seness between each subject and the king has a different degree. However, the rela- tionship between the king and the peop- le is well established. In general, the rela- tionship between the king and the people can be formulated in three main concepts: the relationship as a person, the relation- ship between the abdi dalem and the bendara (lord), and the relationship between offici- als and the people (Moertono 1985, 32). The personal relationship between the king and his people does not necessari- ly eliminate the boundaries between kings and kawula. The relationship is still accom- panied by feelings of mutual respect and love. The relationship between a king as a bendara and a kawula with the status of abdi dalem implies a predestined order, whether he is born as abdi dalem or as a bendara or a lord. The result is that humans have no other choice but to carry out their obliga- tions as determined by fate. It is what ulti- mately resulted in a model of government. The third relationship is that the king is the ruler of the whole kingdom, including the kawula. As an official from the side of wisdom, a king cares for his people. Thus, in fact, the rulers have an attitude of pro- tective superiority; meanwhile, those who are ordered to have an attitude of sincere devotion. The relationship between the king and the people can be said to be two sides that cannot stand alone. The close rela- tionship between the king and the people means that both must be able to position themselves properly and realize their res- pective positions with all the consequen- ces. The relationship between the king and the people (kawula) in the context of the Karaton Surakarta life can be identified with the relationship between the king and abdi dalem niyaga. The position of abdi dalem niyaga is the subordinate who is in charge when the palace holds a ceremony and involves the gamelan’s sounding at the ceremony. Besides, on certain days, they are obliged to come at the time of pisowa- nan padintenan. Their main task is to sound the gamelan according to the ceremonial needs. Abdi dalem niyaga is the most impor- tant element in the gamelan playing activi- ty in the karaton. Gendhing will be realized when the gamelan has been played by the abdi dalem niyaga. The sense of taste raised is also very dependent on the abdi dalem niyaga who sounds it. In other words, the taste raised depends on how the abdi dalem niyaga expresses it through the ricikan bea- ting. The karawitan tradition does not pro- vide details on the provisions made by the composers regarding the Ricikan wasps. The role of abdi dalem niyaga is an essen- tial factor in realizing a sense of gendhing through the concept of garap (working). Garap is an action that concerns imagina- tion, interpretation, and creativity in tradi- tional arts. Working in a karawitan context can be interpreted as an activity or creative action in interpreting gendhing. How will the shape and feel of a gendhing appear when it has been worked on. This garap is what will determine the taste of a gendhing. Of course, creative action or work requires specific devices called tools or elements of Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education 21 (1) (2021): 23-3432 garap. The elements of garap include rici- kan, gendhing and balungan gendhing, voca- bular (cengkok and wiledan), and a pengra- wit (gamelan musician) or a karwitan artist (Supanggah 2009, 4-6). When interpreting or working on a gendhing, every pengrawit with his imagi- nation, all provisions, and interpretative skills has the freedom to translate the re- sults of the interpretation into the ricikan play, which is his responsibility. However, the freedom to translate is still framed in unwritten rules called conventions. The importance of the pengrawit’s role in reali- zing the feeling of a gendhing places him in the most important element in the activity of working on an endhing. In the context of Karaton’s Karawitan, the Karaton’s Karawi- tan actor or artist’s role, namely the abdi da- lem niyaga, is essential. A gendhing can fun- ction as a means of legitimating the king’s power and authority when the abdi dalem niyaga positions himself as kawula ingabde- kaken mring ratu, namely the people who devote themselves entirely to the king. Abdi dalem niyaga’s dedication strengthens the king’s power to make karaton the center source of musical work. Working on the karaton’s karawitan, which was initiated by the abdi dalem niy- aga, is proof of the abdi dalem niyaga’s res- ponsibility in carrying out his obligations. The karaton people call the implementation of the duties and obligations of the abdi da- lem with the expression netepi gawa gawene abdi dalem (carrying out obligations as abdi dalem). When abdi dalem carry out their du- ties and obligations, it is ensured that there is a harmonious relationship between the king and abdi dalem. A harmonious rela- tionship between the king and abdi dalem can be interpreted as a well-established relationship between the king and the people. A well-established relationship between the king and the people has imp- lications for the success of strengthening power through abdi dalem. As a continua- tion of the Mataram Dynasty, which adhe- res to the religious magic concept, Karaton Surakarta used abdi dalem as a means of enforcing power through a harmonious re- lationship between those who govern and are governed and the relationship between the king and his people even though the king, the people, and abdi dalem are in dif- ferent classes. Karaton Surakarta’s Karawitan, which is run by abdi dalem niyaga, requires a king figure as a patron and protector in carrying out their duties and obligations. The rela- tionship between the king and the karaton’s karawitan carried out by the abdi dalem niy- aga can be identified as class harmony. Bet- ween the king and the karawitan carried out by the abdi dalem niyaga, it is bound by regulation or angger-angger that have been agreed upon in Karaton Surakarta. It is that the king and the abdi dalem niyaga have a different class or position altoget- her. The king is the highest leader who holds the sole power in Karaton Surakar- ta, while the abdi dalem niyaga is the king’s employee. The strata difference between the king and abdi dalem niyaga gave rise to a relationship called class harmony. There is an interdependent relationship between the two, even though the karawitan is run by the abdi dalem niyaga, and the king is at different strata or classes. Class harmony occurs because the king and abdi dalem niy- aga have a vital function in the customary life of karaton. The king needs a means of legitimacy through karawitan in the form of the creation and sounding of gendhing by abdi dalem niyaga. On the other hand, abdi dalem niyaga needs the king as a patron and creative space in Karaton Surakarta. CONCLUSIONS The existence of karawitan in the Ka- raton Surakarta was not just enlivening the atmosphere with the sounds produ- ced through the gamelan. More than that, the role of gamelan was vital. Karawitan acted as a means of political articulati- on of Paku Buwana X through Gendhing Panembrama’s creation and sounding. The existence of this karawitan, which was marked by the creativity of Gendhing Panembrama’s creation, was essentially also one of the means for Paku Buwana X Joko Daryanto et al., Gendhing, King, and Events: The Creation of Gendhing Panembrama 33 to state and confirm his power. Besides, the creation of Gendhing Panembrama was a manifestation of Paku Buwana X’s sovereign consciousness. 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