Sekar Alit | Cultures of Denpasar

Previously, we have been described gegendingan, now let's go to sekar alit.

In contrast with Sekar Rare (children's songs and folk songs), Sekar Alit group, commonly called the tembang macapat, gaguritan or Pupuh, bound by law Padalingsa consisting of wilang teacher and dingdong teacher. Teachers wilang are provisions that bind the number of rows on each one kind of Pupuh (song) and the large number of syllables in each line. In the event of breach of this wilang teacher then the error is called "elung".

Next is The Dingdong teacher, Dingdong teacher is uger-uger governing the fall of the vowel in each syllable final. Violation of the dingdong teacher is called "ngandang". About macapat term used to refer to this type of song is a term of the Java language. The group song is called macapat song because generally read by the system reads the four-four syllables (beats).

As for the types of song macapat (Pupuh) found in Bali and are still favored by the people, among which are :

Each Pupuh mentioned above contain the psychological atmosphere is different. The atmosphere generated by Pupuh is very useful to reveal a dramatic atmosphere of a story / play. In general, the relationship between the atmosphere with the type of Pupuh can be described as below :

Nevertheless, the influence of the singer who brought Pupuh can change the atmosphere generated by the Pupuh. It should also be aware that the song is called Pupuh is based on the chart or the framework of existing tracks on each - each of this Pupuh.

Based on the content or story that is expressed, the type of song is also on call guritan according to the stories they contain. Guritan Basur means macapat song tells the story of Basur. Similarly guritan Jayaprana, Sampik, Linggarpetak and so forth. The language used in the group song this is the language macapat Kawi (Old Javanese) and Balinese languages.

By law Padalingsa, macapat songs Bali can be arranged as the following table below :

Well, this sekar alit for each pupuh type has its own philosophy value. The flyer that came by the ancestors to the younger generation be able to live a better life. And also I include here, one of my favorite Pupuh, Pupuh ginada. Enjoy it.

Eda ngaden awak bisa
Depang anake ngadanin
Geginane buka nyampat
Anak sai tumbuh luhu
Ilang luhu ebuk kata
Yadin ririh
Liu enu pelajahang

Which means in Indonesian :
Jangan merasa diri bisa (dalam artian pintar, pandai, bisa melakukan segalanya)
Biarkan orang lain yang menilai apa
Kalau diandaikan seperti menyapu
Selalu saja ada sampah
Habis sampah masih saja ada debu
Walaupun pintar
Masih banyak yang harus dipelajari

In English :
Do not feel themselves able to (in the sense of smart, clever, can do everything)
Let other people judge what
If it assumed such a sweeping
There's always trash
Discharged waste there still dust
Although smart
There is still much to be learned

That's one example, and many Pupuh or sekar alit song that teaches us to be able to do better.

Tumpek Krulut | Cultures of Denpasar

Tumpek Krulut Day falls on Saturday, kliwon, wuku Krulut, every 6 months (210 days) once. So, this holiday is celebrated one month after celebrating Brass. On this day we worship God in manistasinya as the god Iswara. We are grateful for the creation of sacred sounds / percussion. In society, 'tetabuhan' is synonymous with "Gong", rather than by the term 'gamelan'. Therefore, at this day is also often referred to as Odalan Gong. The goal to be the voice for the completeness of the ceremony has a beautiful voice and "taksu".

Tumpek Krulut also a day of love. Affection was manifested in the form of beauty, in this case the sound of gamelan. Who was revered in Tumpek Krulut is Ida Sanghyang Widi Wasa in its manifestation as Dewi Semara Ratih.

Tumpek Krulut also known as "Contemporary Lulut". The word "Lulut" in Balinese language means that the fabric / circuit. But it could also be interpreted as a blend with the beauty of the hearts (Sundaram) so that the mind becomes peaceful. In that context, we really need to balance the art of live entertainment.

Some sources also mention that Tumpek Krulut, is the day on which God in his prestige as Siwanataraja down to earth to dance to 36 tatwa in order to improve the life of the great globe and globe alit. To accompany the dance, people play a gamelan or gong. In the city of Denpasar, since a few years ago, there was a procession of meaning Tumpek Krulut by displaying a variety of arts, dance and percussion. In Tumpek Krulut, the entire device to create a gong sounded Santha taste or sense of peace. With a sense of peace, is expected to create inner and outer wellbeing.

In Balinese concept of sound is important, so is there a term wija holy script. From there came the sound of civilization that is known clapper, Sunari, pinekan, kulkul and various types of gamelan made of openwork, iron or bamboo. In addition to the voice of civilization, in Bali also known civilizations colors and flavors. While the ritual Tumpek Krulut, related to vote in this civilization or the gamelan gong. Associated with voice, sound griengan beetle is also of concern to the Kawi in ancient times either during the sasih Kapat known as Ngapat tradition. Purnama Kapat be a good opportunity for nyastra, write and discuss works beautifully. The poet usually go to the beach and the mountains to capture the beauty of nature, listening to birds singing, waves, watching the beauty of flower petals, heard the voice griengan beetles and so on. That's all captured and then poured in the form of literature.

Meaning of worship is none other Tumpek Krulut explore tetabuhan spirit that gave birth to the shade and strength. The tone and the sound has an incredible supernatural powers, even believed to be a major force. In the context of the worship of the natural harmony can be achieved by raising the power of Shiva in order to move. Creative movement of Shiva as the strains are known Siwanataraja tone. In philosophical cult sounds when Tumpek Krulut control implies Tri Guna (satwam, rajas, and tamas) and Tri Marga namely dharma, artha and kama.

When the strains further understand the tones of nature is a process towards harmonization. In order to achieve harmonization of this nature needs to be done contemplation and praying to God in its manifestation as Shiva.

Subak | Cultures of Denpasar

Subak is an indigenous people in Bali who have the characteristics of socio-agrarian-religious, which is a farmers' association that manages the irrigation water in paddy fields. Topography and environmental conditions of rivers in Bali are steep causing the water source for a complex of rice farmers are generally far enough. Sometimes in order to be able to channel the water into a complex of rice fields, they should make a tunnel through the rocky hills. These conditions cause the farmers to collect themselves and establish Bali Subak organization.

Subak led by a coordinating  Subak Kelian or Pekaseh based water management order (awig-awig) are arranged in an egalitarian. When irrigation is running fine, they enjoy water adequacy together. Conversely, when the irrigation water is very small, they will have limited water together. Planting schedules are strictly implemented. Planting time is set in a certain period. Generally, set in the span of two weeks. Farmers in violation will be penalized.

To obtain optimal use of water and evenly, excess water can be discharged through the drainage channels are available at any complex / block of fields owned by farmers. Meanwhile, to overcome the water shortage problem that is not unexpected, they do so in ways such as:

* Mutual borrowing between members of the Subak irrigation water in one Subak, or inter-related subak whose system
* Do pelampias system, ie a policy to provide additional water for paddy fields located more downstream. Additional amount of water is determined by mutual agreement,
* Perform reduction portion of the water system should be placed on a block / complex of certain farmers' fields, where rice has been a water leak from a certain region around

If the irrigation water discharge is small, farmers Subak members are not allowed into the fields at night, water regulation submitted to the board Subak. Thus the distribution of water runs fairly.

Each has Subak temple called Pura Uluncarik or Pura Bedugul specially built by farmers to worship God in its manifestation as the goddess of prosperity and fertility, Dewi Sri.

The green revolution has led to changes in irrigation systems, with the new rice varieties and new methods, farmers must plant rice as often as possible, ignoring the needs of other farmers. This is very different from the Subak system, in which the needs of all farmers are preferred.

The method is new in the green revolution produced abundant results initially, but then followed with constraints such as shortage of water, pests and pollution due to pesticides both in soil and in water. Finally it was found that rice irrigation systems have traditionally been very effective for overcoming this obstacle.

Scientists who examined the Subak include Clifford Geertz, and J. Stephen Lansing. In 1987 Lansing working with Balinese farmers to develop computer models Subak irrigation system. With it he proved the effectiveness of the Subak and the importance of this system.

About Aksara Bali | Cultures of Denpasar

Aksara Bali is a traditional aksara Balinese people and developed in Bali. Aksara Bali is a abugida originate from Pallawa. This script is similar to Aksara Jawa, it's just that the difference lies in the curve of the form letter. Aksara meaning of script.

Balinese amounted to 47 characters, 14 of which are vowels (aksara sounds). Consonants (aksara wianjana) amounted to 33 characters. Aksara wianjana Bali which is used amounted to 18 characters. There is also aksara wianjana Kawi used on certain words, especially words that are influenced by Kawi and Sanskrit languages.

History of the aksara or the letter of Bali is inseparably connected with the existence of aksara that exist in India. In the holy book Svara-Vyanjana, writings of prof. Raghu Vira (1956), mentioned that in India the first time called aksara Brahmi. This aksara that became the forerunner of the aksara Dewanagari and aksara Pallawa. Aksara Dewanagari more developed in northern India, while the aksara Pallawa by inhabitants of southern India. Aksara Dewanagari used to write Sanskrit writings, while aksara Pallawa more widely used to write the Pallawa language. Aksara Dewanagari used in India in different languages, in addition to Sanskrit, also in Apabhramsa language, Marathi, Nepali, Prakrit and India's national language Hindi.

It is not known with certainty, since when the two languages, Sanskrit and Pallawa with their aksara its spread in Indonesia. It is estimated that in the fourth century AD, both language and this aksara was brought by Indian traders who are Hindu and Buddhist to this archipelago. From both of these languages ​​then emerged aksara Kawi or aksara Nusantara Ancient. Over time it aksara Kawi became aksara of Java, Bali, Bugis, Makassar and several other areas. This paper used to write manuscripts or ancient scriptures in earlier times.

Actually, arrangement of lontar characters was not preceded by character hanacaraka (honocoroko), but starting with kaganga pabama and so the number 18 fruit characters, same with a number of aksara Bali. There is a point below and above it, so the aksara is more similar to Dewanagari or Arabic letters.

Seen from hereditary, aksara Kawi or Java and Dewanagari or India, their relationship is very close like brothers. Both ancestor or derived from the same aksara, the aksara Brahmi, which is widely used in Asoka-India.

In Bali, aksara Dewanagari used to write Sanskrit language, while aksara Bali used to write language text of ancient Bali or Bali. Aksara developing in Bali is just Pallawa called semi-Pallawa. From this aksara developed into a aksara Kediri quadrate, then the Javanese and Balinese aksara. Some say that the aksara of Java and Bali (Balinese letters) is there, based on the legend that was created by King Aji Saka (year 78 AD) specifically created to commemorate fallen or death of two soldiers who fight one another, due to his loyalty to the King.

Aksara Kawi is the most common characters used in Indonesia ancient text, which is written in palm leaves. Kawi aksara has two forms, namely Javanese and Balinese. Balinese aksara used by the Balinese have a common character with the word Java, which are both silabik system mixes with phonemic properties. Javanese form a square, sometimes written slightly tilted, after the Bali metamorphose into slightly rounded and erect. Spelling used is the spelling Purwadresta, which widely used for writing on papyrus library, at the time of king Dharmawangsa (X century) until the time of Gelgel (XV century, especially in the era of King Dalem Waturenggong). The spelling was later changed in accordance with progress of time.