THE WONDERFUL MISHMASH OF CENTRAL JAVANESE DANCE AND MUSIC

Abstract

By 2010, I had been studying Javanese classical music and performing arts fulltime since 1992 (with two years of Ph D research in 1976-77). 

I found a plethora of European, Chinese and Muslim costumes, music, objects, and word play in delightful and confounding mixture of elements which seemed arbitrary.

So, I presented my observations as “mishmash”—completely with tongue-in-cheek—with full respect that underlying is something serious.

Here, in 2024, I find that things change but the foundations remain.

I still do not understand how and why the Javanese easily accept, use, and combine elements in their arts. It doesn’t match my way of doing or creating music or art, but I love it, and am certain their creativity is strong and flexible as ever.  
I hope my observations can give some insight about a different way of doing.