Malang Masked dance lately becomes more and more extinct. Almost nobody now care about this legacy of traditional art of Indonesia which existed inMalang. In fact, this dances somewhat quite unique and typical, because this dances mixed the culture from all over java (West, Center, and East) but with most influence from Blambangan and Osing.

The Dancer of Masked Dance

Based on history, this dance was created by Airlangga from Kediri Kingdom. Then he spread this dance into Java through Singosari kingdom. The base move from this dance also enriched with uniquely music and dynamic moves from Javanese, Madurese, and Balinese ethnic. This dance estimated appears around 20th century for the first time, and reach it’s Golden Age in around 1970. At that time used as ritual and custom that makes Malang very famous. Nowadays also can be presented as dance drama and tells about the story of Ramayana, Mahabarata and Panji.

The main interest from this dance can be seen from the moves, the elegance of the dancer, as well as the costumes. The most presented story of this dance is Panji Asmorobangun’s story. The reason why they used this story is because this story represent human’s trait. It can be proven from many different expression mask they used during dance like happy, crying, sadden laugh, and many more.

Pictures of Masks

Nowadays in Malang city itself, almost nobody ever played the dance, not only because the effect of modernization, it was also because of the audience is getting lower day by day. It was a shame knowing that Malang is also known as one of tourist destination. Often they ask about the dance as well as the other dance using wooden horse called Kuda Lumping, and look for where the dance was. And they feel sorry too about it, knowing that the dance is part of Malang culture.

But, some hopes can be seen for the future of this culture. Some people already care about the dance, and they do some effort to keep the culture alive.

example of an effort

One person named Mbah Karimun who lived in Padepokan Topeng Glagahdowo Di Kecamatan Tumpang Kabupaten Malang, also Padepokan Asmorobangun and Padepokan Galuh Chandra Kirana di sub district Pakisaji South of Malang, keep the culture alive. He also created many kind of traditional mask, which is carved by his own hand. He have carved mask since 14 years old and consistent to keep carved mask even though his parents ever forbid him to do that.

The price of the mask he created varies from Rp.5000,- up to Rp.250.000,- depend on the size and motives.

Mbah Karimun

Mbah Karimun passed away in 2010, because of sick and the effect from the accident he got a few years ago. He is a hero of the traditional culture, because of his consistency and his loyalty to this custom.

This is like a message to all generation of people who lived, to not forget about the traditional custom and culture, because the culture today is cannot be separated from the past. So supposedly we all must remember and keep it alive and also prevent it from any irresponsible persons to take it away from us as the original owner and claim it for themselves. <DITO>