Karawitan is a rich artistic and cultural heritage with historical and philosophical values. The cultural product of the Indonesian nation has been officially endorsed by UNESCO as an 'Intangible Cultural Heritage' on December 15, 2021. Based on these reasons, the existence and sustainability of karawitan has become a common obligation to always maintain, preserve and develop it. The goal is to be able to pass it on to the next generation and avoid the extinction or loss of culture as a nation's identity. All forms of activities aimed at these interests have a rationale as mandated in Article 5 letter g of the Law on the Promotion of Culture Number 5 of 2017.
With regard to this, then Paniradya The Specialty of Yogyakarta held a 'Specialty Gending Creativity Competition at the Yogyakarta Special Region Level' for the Yogyakarta Governor's Cup 2024' as a form of concern in advancing culture. This momentum is one of the agendas in commemorating the 'Specialty Day of Yogyakarta Special Region' which is held every August 31. The special status of Yogyakarta is a tribute to the sacrifice and dedication of the people of Yogyakarta for the nation of Indonesia. Yogyakarta's specialty has special historical roots that began with the spirit of Yogyakarta's struggle after Indonesian independence. Yogyakarta has an important role in the post-independence struggle. The Anniversary of Yogyakarta's Privileges is a special momentum that has been legalized in the form of the Yogyakarta Special Law. Therefore, it must be filled with appropriate and beneficial activities for the community.
The development of musical arts in Yogyakarta is always expected to be in good condition. Traditional music that is one of the two major styles (Yogyakarta and Surakarta) has a distinctiveness and uniqueness that is called the term 'Gagrag Ngayojan or Mataraman'. This term has developed into an identity, as well as a form of wealth and evidence of the nobility of culture and civilization of the people of Yogyakarta which has helped strengthen the special status of the Special Region of Yogyakarta. However, the distinctiveness and uniqueness of the style cannot be preserved by itself without development efforts. This needs to be considered, so that 'Gagrag Ngayojan or Mataraman' It is important to preserve its existence and always get a contemporary touch, to suit the tastes of today's society. 'Lomba Kreativitas Garap Gending Keistimewaan' also aims to construct a strong regional spirit as a cultural character and identity. Based on this statement, of course, the preservation of karawitan cannot leave out the element of development that is harmonized with the achievements of progress in its era.
For this reason, the 'Lomba Kreativitas Garap Gending Keistimewaan' does not shackle innovation and creativity as a potential possessed by the performers. The open space for creativity can involve technical, compositional, musical elements, regional colors from other areas of musical development, group styles, and individual styles. The plurality of styles and flavors is understood as a richness of karawitan culture. Based on this explanation, its development can still be claimed as a cultural product of the Yogyakarta karawitan community in the broadest sense.
The Yogyakarta Special Region Level Specialty Gending Creativity Competition for the Yogyakarta Governor's Cup in 2024 is organized by the Kulon Progo Tourism Office in collaboration with the Karawitan Department of the Faculty of Performing Arts ISI Yogyakarta and will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024 at the ISI Yogyakarta Art Laboratory at 09.00 WIB-complete. Participants in this competition consisted of sanggar, paguyuban, groups, or karawitan groups representing each regency / city in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The top three from this competition will be performed on the peak night of the commemoration of the DIY Privileges Law on September 12, 2024 in Kulonprogo. This competition will compete for the DIY Governor's Cup and each winner will receive a coaching fund. The competition material compositionally consists of 2 parts, namely Lelagon Special Jogja Pelog Pathet Nem by Dr. Sukisno, M.Sn. and Lelagon Cahyaning Kaistimewan Laras Pelog Pathet Nem by Joko Mursito, S.Sn., M.A. The judges in this competition were Dr. I Nyoman Cau Arsana, S.Sn., M.Hum. , Dr. Raharja, S.Sn., M.M. , Suhardjono, M.Sn. , Joko Suprayitno, M.Sn. , and Dra. Sutrisni, M.Sn.
Editor: Setya Rahdiyatmi K. J (Secretary of Karawitan Department FSP ISI Yogyakarta)
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