UKGN Podcast

Ramayana wayang

Wayang performances given at the British Library in conjunction with the exhibition 'The Ramayana - Love and Valour in India's Great Epic'

The performances were given in English by dhalang Matthew Isaac Cohen with members of the Southbank Gamelan Players and pesindhen Esther Wilds.

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Size 13.3mb
playing time 14 minutes 32 seconds

Show notes

Most of the music in the podcast comes from the talu (overture) to the fourth performance 'The Fall of Alengka'

John Pawson, who played kendhang for all four performances, talks a little about the music used for these wayang performances.

Video extracts

We are placing a number of video extracts from the performances on the website, the first of which, taken from 'The Birth of Rahwana' is already available.
Go to the video page.

The performances

The Birth of Rahwana

Rahwana's conception and birth. The transformation of the children of Resi Gotama to the monkey princes Subali and Sugriwa. Rahwana is given the gift of power and long life but Wisnu, the God of humanity, tricks him out of some of this. Rahwana vows revenge and fights Subali, but is unable to defeat him.

Arjuna Sasrabahu

Bambang Sumantri wins the hand of the princess Dewi Citrawati for King Arjunawijaya, but subsequently rebels against him. He dies, in fulfilment of a prophecy, when Arjunawijaya diverts the river Silogangga to the north so that Dewi Citrawati can bathe in it. Rahwana goes to investigate the environmental disturbance and is killed by Arjunawijaya, but then brought back to life.

The Abduction of Sinta

Rama and Lesmana attend a tournament and Lesmana wins the hand of Sinta for Rama. They return to the kingdom of Ngayodiya but are exiled to the forest. Rahwana hears of Sinta and uses magic to distract Rama and Lesmana so he can abduct her. Rama and Lesmana learn she is on the island of Alengka and Anoman delivers Rama's signet ring to her as a sign that he will rescue her.

The Fall of Alengka

In order to reach Alengka the monkey army build a causeway against all odds. Rahwana's son, Indrajit goes into battle with god-given assistance but is eventually klled. Rahwana's monstrous brother, Ambakarna is killed by Rama. Rahwana enters the battle himself and is imprisoned beneath Mount Siyem. Rama and Sinta are reunited and Rama makes Sinta undergo a trial by fire to prove her fidelity.

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