Dance Drama Langen Mandra Wanara

HISTORY OF CULTURE |  Dance Drama Langen Mandra Wanara  | Langen Mandra Wanara is one form of dance dramas of Java that uses material Yogyakarta style classical dance tradition. Dance drama depicting the many Wanara (monkey) and serves as the entertainment is an outgrowth of an existing dance drama, which is sourced from Fiber Langendriya Damarwulan.

Both Langendriya and Langen Mandra Wanara, presented in the form of dance with jengkeng position or jongkok1) accompanied by a song macapat dialogue. The difference, which is also its development, is a play that was delivered. If the seashell is sung in the dance drama Langendriya sourced from another story, then Langen Mandra Vanara sourced from the Ramayana, such as: Subali Lena, Senggana Ambassador, Ravana Autumn, and so forth.

That said, the dance drama Wanara Langen Mandra has been there, even experienced glory during the reign of Sri Sultan Buwana VI. At that time every night in the palace there is always the "gladen" dance or musical, except during Ramadan because the month is considered a sacred month, thus temporarily abolished (terminated). And, as his successor is a chronicle in song the fiber readout macapat it tells about the characters chronicle with all services and animation example.

Given that each month of Ramadan that reading was just a chronicle of fiber, then KRT Purwodiningrat pembacaaan fibers had the idea to chronicle made by some people. So, everyone acts as a character in a story that is in the Chronicle. The idea was well received because it feels more lively readings and any reader can appreciate the Chronicle story and give the characterization of the figures which he read. Then, the idea is combined with the idea of  Prince Mangkubumi, namely the use of costumes to suit the character read. Position players sit facing each other. When one actor gets a turn to read, then that person is the way forward with squat. Further development is accompanied by dances.

Around the middle of the 20th century, dance drama called Langen Mandra Wanara is less enthused by the sutresna. They feel that dancing while walking in the squatting position is very difficult to master. However, at the instigation of Prof. Dr. Priyono, minister of Education and Culture at the time, Langen Mandra Wanara intensified and restructured by C. Hardjasubrata. Langen Mandra Vanara new assembly is not all dance explores the position of "jengkeng", but there are parts that done standing. In addition, the work Patih Danurejo VII (Langen Mandra Wanara) which was originally all male perpetrators, even the woman's role was performed by the male, female roles now performed by women.

Players, Places and Equipment

To be able to perform Langen Mandra Wanara it takes about 45 people, comprising 30 players, 13 people gamelan players, one person waranggana or sinden, and one puppeteer. Mastermind function is as a regulator of behavior and help the actors in telling the story by doing suluk (monologue). Costumes and makeup are worn during the show followed the patron shadow puppets.

Performing Langen Mandra Wanara usually held at a time of ceremonies such as weddings and other major holidays. Shows more or less take up to seven hours is done at night and are usually housed in the pavilion with lighting lamps or electric petromaks. Performing Langen Mandro Vanara usually equipped with a complete Javanese gamelan musical instruments (pelog and selendro).