The Culture of Indonesia (Nusantara)

Province: Yogyakarta
Description:Langen Mandra Vanara is one form of Javanese dance drama that uses the materials of classical dance tradition of Yogyakarta style. Dance drama depicting many Vanara (monkey) and serves as the entertainment was an outgrowth of an existing dance drama, which is sourced from Fibre Langendriya Damarwulan. Both Langendriya and Langen Mandra Vanara, presented in the form of dance with the position jengkeng or jongkok1) along with the dialogue in the form of song macapat. The difference, which also is its development, is a play that was delivered. If a seashell that was delivered in the dance drama Langendriya sourced from another story, then Langen Mandra Vanara sourced from the Ramayana story, such as: Subali Lena, Senggana Ambassador, Ravana Autumn, and so forth.
That said, the dance drama Vanara Langen Mandra this already exist, even experiencing the glory in the reign of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana VI. At that time every night in the palace there are always activities "gladen" dance or gamelan, except during Ramadan because the moon is considered a holy month, so that temporarily abolished (discontinued). And, as his successor is reading fiber macapat chronicle in song the contents of which tells about the characters and chronicle with all services suspended animation example.
Given that every month of Ramadan, which read it was just a chronicle of fiber, then had the idea for KRT Purwodiningrat pembacaaan chronicle fiber made by some people. So, everyone acted as the characters in the story that is in the Chronicle. The idea was well received because it feels more lively reading and each reader can appreciate the Chronicle story and gives a characterization of the character was read. Then, the idea is combined with the idea of ​​Prince Mangkubumi, namely the use of costumes that fit with the character read. Position players sit facing each other. When one of his players had a turn to read, then that person the way forward with squat. Further development is accompanied by dancing.
Around mid-20th century, dance drama called Langen Mandra Vanara is less enthused by the Sutresna. They feel that dancing, walking in the squatting position is very difficult to master. However, at the instigation of Prof. Dr. Priyono, minister of Education and Culture at that time, Langen Mandra Vanara 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 do with standing. In addition, the work Patih Danurejo VII (Langen Mandra Vanara) which was originally all male actors, even the role of women was done by men, now the role of women conducted by women.
Players, Place and Equipment
To be able to perform Langen Mandra Vanara it takes about 45 people who consist of 30 players, 13 people gamelan, one person waranggana, and one puppeteer. Mastermind function is as a regulator of behavior and help the actors in the delivery of the story by mysticism (monologue). Costumes and makeup used during the leather puppet show followed the patron.
Major Langen Mandra Vanara usually held at the time there are ceremonies, like marriage and other major holidays. Show which takes approximately seven hours is done at night and usually located in the pavilion with petromaks lamp or electric lighting. Major Langen Mandro Vanara usually equipped with a complete Javanese gamelan musical instruments (pelog and Selendro).