Borobudur

Borobudur, is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist monument in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The monument consists of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.[1] A main dome, located at the center of the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside a perforated stupa.

Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty, the temple’s design in Gupta architecture reflects India's influence on the region, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.[2][3] The monument is both a shrine to theLord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The journey for pilgrims begins at the base of the monument and follows a path around the monument and ascends to the top through three levels symbolic of Buddhist cosmology: Kāmadhātu (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms) and Arupadhatu (the world of formlessness). The monument guides pilgrims through an extensive system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the walls and the balustrades.

GETTING THERE
Thai Airways has a Delhi–Bangkok-Jakarta option for around 237,000 return economy
There is a direct flight to Yogjakarta from Singapore and all major cities in Indonesia. Borobudur is a 45-minute drive from the airport and is best seen in the morning. Taxis and guides can be hired for the day at the airport.

WHEN TO GO
The dry season, from May to September, is the best time to visit.

Stay
You need not stay in Yogjakarta. An easy day trip can be made from Jakarta or Bali. If you are flying to
Bali from Jakarta stop over at Yogjakarta for the day and take an onward evening flight to Bali. However, if
you want a night halt—all kinds of hotels are available—from the international Sheraton, Hyatt, Ibis
and Novotel chains to budget hotels with familiar names such as Manohara, Arjun, Saraswati.

Shop
Batik textiles, including sarongs and wall hangings; mind boggling array of spices; wayang
kulit puppets; and silver.

Bali Dance

The Pendet is one of the oldest Balinese dances used in ceremonies. There are gestures of worship and the use of flower petals in its sequence. Yet lately the Asosiasi Seni Tari Indonesia (the Indonesian Arts Institute) in Denpasar has recreated it into an abridged version that falls into the welcoming dance category of Balinese dance.

The Agung Rai Museum of Art, better known by its abbreviated name ARMA, is located in the village of Pengosekan in Ubud, and has a mission to preserve Balinese culture and introduce local arts to youth at an early age. They provide a special space at the Museum for children to learn to dance. The children are mostly elementary grade schoolchildren and are taught basic traditional dance by experienced dance teachers. 

Dance lessons are held every day, except during certain occasions such as when religious ceremonies are at their peak. One dance can be completely mastered after a year of practice. Dancing the Balinese forms are not as easy as they may seem. There are basic dance moves that must be understood and usually this is the most difficult part, yet it forms the strong base.  

There are at least three basics that must be mastered; gem, seledet, and egol. Ngagem is executing the asymmetric position of the body in a stationary posture. Agem can be divided into two parts: right and left. The right agem is when the upper body slants to the right and the hips to the left, while the hands are at shoulder level.

Seledet is the facial expression that focuses on the sharp dashing glances of the eyes, with directions in accordance to the agem posture. While executing or ngagem to the right, then the seledet glances would normally be to the upper right and lower right.

Learning to nyeledet does not only involve the eye movements but also the facial expressions. A dance surely comes to life when dynamic expressions are skillfully carried out. Sometimes a dancer may either seem fierce, sweet and timid, or dead serious, depending on the act being performed.

Egol or the ‘hip shake’ is executed while stepping on the spot or forward. It is the most difficult move and requires stamina. Because the body posture when executing this move is not standing upright but rather in what the Balinese refer to as ngeed or standing with a slight squat. Generally this is the position throughout the dance sequence. Besides that, the ngegol is not only about shaking the hips but also maintaining the harmony between the hip, hand gestures, and the head.

Ubud surely has become a focal point in the island’s art scene. Those curious about Bali’s arts and culture will find the answers in Ubud. For those who just want to know the basics, they can pay to visit the various local workshops. But for those who want to dive even deeper, they can pay a living Balinese maestro a visit.

Several other senior Balinese dancers that can be asked for guidance include the likes of the topeng mask and gambuh maestros from the village of Batuan, I Made Djimat; Kebyar Duduk maestro, Ida Bagus Oka Wirjana or better known by the name Gus Aji Blangsinga from the village of Blangsinga.

Learning Balinese dance can be done throughout the island. One hotel in the Nusa Dua area has also added a facility for its guests, especially children. The Laguna also provides its guest’s children with complimentary Balinese dance lessons as one of their kid’s club activities. The children can get busy learning the moves while their parents have their own agenda. They can don traditional Balinese attire during the lessons and learn under the guidance of Komang Suarti, The Laguna’s Human Resources Manager. So far, the children who participate express high enthusiasm in each of their moves. Balinese dance give you the chance to feel and experience part of the heritage, which suits both young and old. 

BARONG LANDUNG, STORY OF ACCULTURATION

The first one looks like a dark daunting male with long hair and fangs. Meanwhile, the second figure appears like a pale-faced female with squinty eyes. Both walk side-by-side, towering nearly twice the height of an average person, hence their title Barong Landung-landung, Balinese for ‘tall’. Apparently these dolls are being manipulated by a strong man inside, while peeping through the bamboo webbing at its base.

The Balinese refer to these processions as mendak betara or ‘picking up the deities’, transporting the dolls from one temple to another while in the midst of holding ceremonies. This time it was the deities of Jero Gede and Jero Luh who were being ‘picked up’.

Both these dolls remind me of the Ondel-ondel, a pair of large effigies owned by the Betawi people in Jakarta. However, due to the majority of the Betawis having embraced Islam, they do not have deities or Bhatara in their terminology any more. 

Yet there are similarities between the pair of Barong Landung and Ondel-ondel being paraded throughout the village during times of plague or when an outbreak occurs. Only recently has the Ondel-ondel taken on a more festive role. 

a pair of Barong Landung 

Both of these pairs of effigies are thought to be closely related. It is quite possible that the Ondel-ondel was Barong Landung that was brought to Jakarta by Balinese servants during the 17-18th centuries. During those times the slave trade by Balinese rulers was very active. The large mass of Balinese people taken to Jakarta resulted in almost half of the total Indonesian population in Batavia (the designation of Jakarta at that time) made up of Balinese. 

But the history of the Barong Landung did not start there, it went back even centuries prior. The Barong Landung is a result of the acculturation between Bali and China that occurred around the 12th century.

This tale has been passed down through generations. It is certainly inseparable from myths and interpretations along the course of time, but the central character was real and ruled Bali at that time.

And so it was that King Jaya Pangus, who also went by the noble title of Dalem Balingkang, married Kang Tjin We. This could possibly have been a political marriage; yet other sources also tell that Tjin We was a Chinese girl who lived in a Chinese temple in Kintamani at that time. 

This was King Jaya Pangus, who also went by the noble title of Dalem Balingkang, who married Kang Tjin We, a Chinese girl who lived in a Chinese temple at Kintamani at that time. This could possibly have been a political marriage.

The only big problem in their marriage was apparently due to the couple not being blessed with children. This was a big problem because a dynasty needed a progeny. The king decided to set off to meditate at Mount Batur, asking for divine guidance so that he  may be blessed with offspring. However, another version of the tale says that besides not having any children their kingdom was suffering from a plague. So the king’s trip to the mountains was also to ask for guidance in overcoming the outbreak.

In Batur the king met the lake goddess Dewi Danu, with whom he eventually had an affair with, and from this relationship a son was born. Three years passed and Kang Tjin We decided tosearch for her husband in Batur and she was shaken by the reality that met her there. Dewi Danu was no less distraught, as the king had told her that he was single.

The goddess was infuriated. In her rage she cursed Jaya Pangus and his empress, who later were transformed into a pair of effigies or dolls, the Barong Landung. Later these ‘barongs’ were placed at the temples and were only brought out to ‘attend’ ceremonies held at other temples and ngelawang or to ‘go on village parades’ at the time of certain outbreaks.

The cultural ties between Bali and China seem exceedingly broad in the Barong Landung story. The Dalem Balingkang title itself is said to have come from the words ‘Bali Kang’. However it remains unclear as to why the king is depicted as having a hideous face, yet from the name Jaya it would mean ‘victor’ and Pangus depicts handsomeness.

Since when has the acculturation between Bali and China taken place? No one can provide a precise answer. No one has a certain answer. There is no literature that can provide an exact date. But it is clear that this blend of cultures has taken place since a long time ago, so there are things that we do not realize that have been a result of the marriage between them both. Several village names in Bali were formed from Chinese words. The name of the village of Pingan in Kintamani for example, is actually from the word Ping An, which means ‘safe and sound’.

The processions have now arrived at the destination temple. Both of the Barong Landung stand tall at the temple gates. Several small children approach with a bit of edginess and curiosity. One day their parents will tell them the tale of the Barong Landung’s origin, as the oral tradition remains strong in Bali. (BALI & BEYOND)

Calung - Bamboo Musical Instrument

Calung is a Sundanese musical instrument which is the prototype of the angklung. Unlike the angklung is played by shaken, calung is played by hitting the trunk of the joints (bambootubes) are arranged according to the pentatonic (da-mi-na-ti-la). This type of bamboo that is used generally of black bamboo, but some are made ​​from bamboo, which is white. Calung sense other than as a musical instrument is also attached as performance art.There are two forms of calung Sundanese are known, namely calung rantay and portable.

Calung Rantay

Calung rantay, blades drawn tube with leather strap hibiscus (lulub) from the largest to the smallest, has 7 or more bamboo. The composition of the tool there is one row and there are also two rows. Play calung rantay is hit with two hands while sitting cross-legged, usuallycalung is tied to a tree or a cubicle house (calung rantay Banjaran-Bandung), there is alsomade ​​shelf "holder" of special bamboo / wood, for example calung tarawangsa in Cibalongand Cipatujah , Tasikmalaya, calung rantay in Banjaran and Kanekes / Bedouin.

Calung Jinjing

The rows of bamboo-shaped tote calung pitched a united it with a small bamboo (paniir).Calung tote consists of four or five pieces, such as calung kingking (consisting of 12bamboo tubes), calung panepas (5 / 3 and 2 tubes of bamboo), calung jongjrong (5 / 3 and 2 tubes of bamboo), and calung bark (2 tubes bamboo).

Completeness calung in its development today there are only using one calung kingking,panempas two units, and bark calung one unit, without using calung jongjrong. Calung is played with a hit with your right hand using the paddle, and his left hand carrying / holding.

Video plays Calung

What is Batik

Batik can refer to two things. The first is the technique of coloring cloth using a "malam" to prevent staining part of the fabric. In the international literature, this technique is known as a wax-resist dyeing. The second notion is the fabric or clothing made ​​with these techniques, including the use of certain motifs that have uniqueness. Batik Indonesia, as the overall engineering, technology, and development-related motives and culture, UNESCO has been designated as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity since October 2, 2009

Batik is a craft that has high artistic value and has become part of the culture of Indonesia (especially Java) for a long time. Javanese women in the past made their skills in batik as menpatkan business income, so in the past batik work is exclusively women's work until the invention of "Batik Cap" which allows the entry of men into the field. There are some exceptions to this phenomenon, namely the coastal batik masculine lines as can be seen in shades of "Mega Chance", which in some coastal areas batik work is common for men.

The tradition of batik was originally a tradition handed down, so sometimes a recognizable motif batik originated from a particular family. Some batik may indicate the status of a person. Even today, some batik motifs tadisional only used by royal families of Yogyakarta and Surakarta.
Cirebon batik motif for sea creatures

Batik is an ancestral heritage of Indonesia (Java) that until now still exist. Batik is also first introduced to the world by President Suharto, who was wearing a batik at the UN Conference.

Batik patterns
Batik variety of shades and colors are influenced by various foreign influences. Initially, batik has a variety of shades and colors are limited, and some patterns may only be used by certain circles. However, coastal batik absorb various external influences, such as foreign traders and also in the end, the invaders. Bright colors such as red popularized by the Chinese, who also popularized the style phoenix. European colonial nations are also taking interest in batik, and the results are the patterns that were previously unknown flowers (like tulips) and the objects brought by the colonizers (the building or horse-drawn carriage), including their favorite colors such as blue. Retain traditional batik s type, and is still used in traditional ceremonies, because usually each style has a  


How to make batik
Batik was originally made ​​on material with white color made ​​of cotton. Today the batik is also made on other materials such as silk, polyester, rayon and other synthetic materials. Batik motif formed by the liquid wax by using a tool called a canting for subtle motifs, or large-sized brush for a motive, so that the liquid wax to seep into the fabric fibers. Fabrics that have been painted with wax and then dyed with the desired color, usually starting from the light colors. Immersion and then taken to another motif with color or black older. After some time the coloring process, which has dibatik cloth dipped in chemicals to dissolve the wax. Dangeng_club


Batik type (based on manufacturing techniques)

• Batik tulis is decorated with fabric textures and patterns of batik by hand. Batik making this type takes approximately 2-3 months.

• Batik cap is decorated with fabric textures and patterns created with batik cap (usually made of copper). Batik-making process of this type takes approximately 2-3 days.

• Batik lukis is the process of making batik painting by painting directly on the white cloth.

Wayang Golek - Sundanese arts

pikiran-rakyat.com

Wayang is a very popular folk theater. The most popular in West Java is Wayang Golek show. There are two kinds of wayang golek : wayang golek papak (cepak) and wayang golek purwa Sunda region. Unless wayang wong, all the wayang was played by a dalang as a leader who sing suluk, voicing antawacana, set gamelan, and.

As the story line of wayang, wayang golek show also has a play-good story that comes from the story of Ramayana and Mahabharata, use of Sundanese, Sundanese gamelan accompaniment (salendro), which consists of two saron, peking, selentem, one boning device, one rincik boning, one kenong (musical instruments that make up the Javanese gamelan) device, a pair of gongs (kempul and goong), plus a set of kendang (one kendang and three kulanter), xylophone and trigon. 

Angklung - Bamboo musical instrument

Angklung is a musical instrument made out of two bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. The tubes are carved so that they have a resonant pitch when struck. The two tubes are tuned to octaves. The base of the frame is held with one hand while the other hand shakes the instrument rapidly from side to side. This causes a rapidly repeating note to sound. Thus each of three or more angklung performers in an ensemble will play just one note and together complete melodies are produced. Angklung is popular throughout Southeast Asia, but originated from Indonesia and it has been used and played by the Sundanese since the ancient times.

Unesco set Tari Saman As a World Cultural Heritage

Saman Dance from Aceh province will be recognized and confirmed by the organization of education, science and culture of the United Nations (UNESCO), as a world cultural heritage does not matter on November 19, 2011.

"Tari Saman will be announced as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO does not matter on November 19, 2011," said Chief Resources Agency of Culture and Tourism Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Kemenbudpar), I Gde Pitana, here on Monday.

He said, with the recognition of Tari Saman, then it is more and more the work culture of Indonesia that has been recognized by UNESCO, including previously wayang, keris, batik, and angklung.
UNESCO will announce recognition of the Tari Saman as a world cultural heritage objects are not (intangible heritage) in Bali.
"To get this recognition need a long verification process, and to our future and expects Indonesia's world heritage recognized by UNESCO will be more and more," he said.
He said it has sought a variety of things to be able to record Tari Saman as a world cultural heritage.
The struggle has been carried out since several years ago until finally Saman Dance will soon be recognized on the list of world cultural heritage does not matter (Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity).
 
He said he recorded the heritage of the world until this time had as many as 890 sites with 689 in the form of cultural heritage, 176 natural heritage, and 25 mixed cultural heritage and natural heritage.
Among that number, he argued, world heritage Indonesia has owned as many as 11 pieces.
Of the 11 world heritage Indonesia owned as many as four of them in the form of natural, three cultural preservation, and four cultural work does not object.
 
For the world heritage natural form, according to him, consisting of National Park Ujung Kulon (Banten), Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Lorentz National Park in Papua, and the tropical forests of Sumatra (Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat, and Bukit Barisan).
As for the nature reserve which the Borobudur Temple Complex which is recognized by UNESCO since 1991, Prambanan Temple Complex (1991), and the prehistoric site of Sangiran.
 
Indonesia's intangible cultural work that has been and will be recognized by UNESCO, the puppet (a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity, 2003), kris (a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity, 2005), batik (a representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, 2009), and angklung (representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, November 18, 2010).

picture taken from yahoo.com

Kolintang Music Group in YVKE Mundial

Traditional Music Group Angklung School and Kolintang fostered by the Republic of Indonesia Embassy in Caracas today, Friday, April 15, 2011, at 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. local time was interviewed by Radio Mundial YVK with a frequency of 550 AM and appear in person (live) in the event Vocero Nacional (National Voice) together show host Luis Chacon.

Radio Mundial YVK that stood since June 16, 1944 in Caracas is the radio's Ministry of Communications and Information broadcast news nationally and internationally both related directly or indirectly with the activities of the Venezuelan government.
On this occasion, Kolintang-Angklung Music Group showed skill play 7 (seven) pieces of songs, namely Solo River, the Love Is Blue, My Way, Coffee Dangdut / Moliendo Café, El Condor Pasa, Alma Llanera and Venezuela.
Besides playing music kolintang - Angklung direct, coach and Director of Music Group Kolintang - Angklung, José Herrera, also explained about musical instruments and angklung kolintang itself and the history of the formation of the group. The host Luis Chacon also interviewed several school pupils of the Republic of Indonesia which is a member of music group about motivation and their responses incorporated in Kolintang Music Group - partner Angklung Embassy Caracas.
Interview with Luis Chacon in the event Nacional Vocero is an interview with the first radio made by Group Kolintang and Angklung Music School of the Republic of Indonesia. Since most members of the Class Kolintang Angklung Music School students is the Republic of Indonesia, the Republic of Indonesia School name more famous and popular in the community among groups of students and teachers from public schools and the private sector in Venezuela, particularly in Caracas. Opportunity to do this interview is an event that is very good in taking advantage of opportunities to promote the art of traditional Indonesian culture to a wider segment of society with a wider range as well.

Russian journalists covering Indonesia Tourism

The popularity of Indonesia in the land of the white bear of Russia, made ​​a number of Russian journalists now covering the tourist objects in a package called familiarization trip (Famtrip).
 
A total of six journalists, two of the television media, a news agency and three of the print media wandered in Indonesia for ten days (9 to 19 April 2010). First, they explore Manado and North to include covering the beauty of the sea in Bunaken. Then move to Bali and Komodo islands. After visiting Prambanan, Borobudur and sauntered in Malioboro, they planned to head for final destinations in the capital Jakarta.

According to one participant, Yana Soloveyva, such a visit has always been a dream of many journalists. Tropical Nature, the beautiful tourist spots until about mak nyus culinary dishes will be TV viewers and readers of Russian.

They, he said, generally had a dream-dream sinaran making out with the warm sun on the edge of the beach with crystal clear sea. "Bali is very famous in Russia. Therefore we want to make coverage of Bali, Bunaken, Komodo dragons and other woods famous sights, "he said.

Meanwhile, Irina Schegolkova of the most advanced in the Russian news agency, Ria Novosti, want to make this opportunity to explore the many tourist information about Indonesia in order to complete the run tourist information office. Hopefully, many prospective Russian travelers to easily get information on tours to Indonesia simply by accessing the tourist sites Ria Novosti.

The number of Russian tourists to Indonesia last year reached 80 thousand people, or an increase of 15 percent over the previous year. Uniquely, the Russian tourists visiting Indonesia is still in the pockets of people who are very thick. This is different from wisatan Russia to Egypt and Turkey are very diverse with a total of 2 million people a year.

"Coverage Russian journalists about various tourist destinations archipelago is expected to be cendela knowledge and then be able to improve the flow of Russian tourists in the future. If the Russia-Indonesia direct flight realized, it is number 100 thousand tourists are optimistic to be exceeded this year, "said M. Aji Surya from the Embassy in Moscow who came with the Russian journalist.

Famtrip activities or the introduction of a tourist destination is one of the important activities of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism from year to year. Famtrip journalist this time cooperated with the Indonesian Embassy in Moscow. (Source: Embassy in Moscow / Aji Surya)

Angklung Training Activities

As one means of public diplomacy, cultural arts performances are expected to improve Indonesia's image of the country concerned. Meanwhile, traditional Angklung Musical Instrument has been confirmed by world institutions that take care of the problem of culture, UNESCO, as the "Cultural Heritage Objects Tak-Man" (Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity).

To introduce and popularize the art Angklung among Chinese citizens and foreign communities living in Guangzhou, the Guangzhou Consulate held an activity "Training of traditional musical instrument of Indonesia. " This event is planned to last for 4 months from April to July 2011. For the first phase of training started on April 12, 2011, at the Hall of the Consulate General Guangzhou was attended by 30 participants coming from members and administrators Darma Women's Union.

Further Training Angklung music teacher who nurtured by the Indonesian Institute of Arts graduates (ISI) Surakarta will be held also in other areas in the region of the Consulate, which is in the city of Taishan, Jiangmen city and town Zhongsan.

The purpose of the conduct of these activities is to Conserve and introduce Indonesian culture through traditional music Angklung art to Chinese citizens and other foreigners in the territory of the Guangzhou consulate.

In addition, this training also provides an opportunity to the general public in China to be able to play a musical instrument Angklung.

It is expected after the training this Angklung art will be created art groups that can play angklung independently and can be displayed on-stage art performances of Indonesian culture that diadakandi China. 

(source Consulate General Guangzhou)

Popular Traditional dance from West Java

Three types of traditional dance from West Java that the Peacock dance, masks and dance Jaipong have a "rating" or the highest popularity in foreign countries.

"The three dances were always booked to appear when performing in foreign countries, its rating is high enough abroad," said Head of Culture and Tourism of West Java, Herdiwan Iing Suranta in Bandung, on Friday.

However, West Java trying to display a number of other busaya art performances abroad. In West Java alone there are around 300 types of art.

That, according Herdiwan to keep the gig abroad was only the third dance. Nevertheless, it remains the desire to accommodate market performances abroad.

Art performances abroad usually done at the invitation of the country concerned or invitation from the Embassy. "We performed other traditional arts, not to art, known only Jabar peacock dance, masks and jaipong course, welcome from abroad is quite good," said Herdiwan.

In addition, the Department of Culture and Tourism Jabar also change the cultural arts development strategy, one of which portray the Taman Budaya Bandung is not limited to perform the traditional arts, but provide guidance for training the artists of art traditions.

"Disbudpar not going to be an institution that 'stage' of art and culture, but do change the point of view with more strategies to encourage the development and preservation of cultural art," said Herdiwan.

It will continue to support the artists to practice and preserve the cultural arts, and would appreciate it with their stage performances on stage at the Cultural Park and the People's Struggle Monument Jabar.

"We invite them to perform, rather than simply inviting them to pay money. But more to give hall stage and appreciation of art and culture so that the actors get a space of cultural art expression, "said Herdiwan.

He said, advancing the art and culture in 2010 conducted by renovating 15 art galleries in three different cultural zones namely Betawian, Cirebonan and Dermayon.

Development of an art that has a specific The effective enough so that the studio was returning to live and the local cultural arts performances have adequate space.