Angklung is a tool or instrument made of bamboo art special, which was discovered by Mr. Daeng Sutigna about 1938. When the initial use is still limited to the interests angklung local or traditional arts. However, due to the resulting sounds very sweet and also has local and international content such as sounds that have [...]

Bagong Kussudihardja and Didik Nini Thowok started the advance of modern dance in Yogyakarta. Who are both known internationally?
Bagong Kussudihardja is known as the creator of colossal ballets that combine the harmony of traditional dance from many regions of Indonesia with a dynamic, liberal and expressive modern dance. Bagong has school of dance that was [...]

To begin with, gamelan was used as an accompaniment to dance, ballet, puppet shows and traditional ceremonies. Today gamelan is normally performed as an orchestra in hotels or restaurants to create a Javanese nuance. Gamelan is not only a musical performance, but also has singers, both male and female. Male singers are called wiraswara, and [...]

Besides tatah sungging (puppet painting), in Gendeng-Bangunjiwo, Kasihan Bantul, there are a number of other fine art products to be found in the Yogyakarta area. Wood carving in Pogangan, Sentolo, Kulonprogo, approximately 20 km from the city centre, and also in Astomulyo Kaliurang. Terracotta and ceramics in Kasongan Bantul around 15 km from the city [...]

Ketoprak is Javanese drama, with Javanese dialogue and gamelan accompaniment. This drama first started in Solo, and then expanded to Jogja in the 1920′s, and became a favourite show; almost every kampong (village) had its own ketoprak group. The most popular group was Ketoprak Mataram; the government radio station RRI Jogja [...]

Wayang kulit, also called wayang purba, has existed in Java from before thr Hindu era (around 8th Century). A wayang show is part of a series of traditional ceremonies. It shows the heroism of ancestors in Javanese mythology. The puppets are played behind a screen by a “dalang” (puppeteer). The wayang play is also called [...]

From the 1950’s, classic dance could be learnt by the common people from outside the Kraton (Palace). The first classic dance school was Siswo Among Bekso, which was founded by prince GBPH Yudhanegara and was located at “ndalem Kanoman”, one of the prince’s houses on Kadipaten street. The school still exists today and became a [...]

There are three mainstream of art traditions, which flourish among the Jogjanese people. They are Kraton, Folk and modern arts that are developed in art schools, colleges and institutes. These are three traditions influence each other and grow together.
Kraton arts are classic dance, dance-drama, macapat (Javanese singing), seni kriya (fine arts-painting, sculpture, ceramics). Folk arts [...]