| Summary: | This research reconstructs formation of artists community that lived
in Kampung Kemlayan Surakarta and their social life in 1930-1970. There
are two points of research�s background, the rarity of the research related
to history of community in Surakarta that concerns about culture in
kingdom until republic period and their existence was not written in local
history. The main research question is the development karawitan artists
community in Kemlayan and the process of becoming priyayi, and their
politic strategy when the kingdom collapsed and their survival way through
the changing of the period. Answering the main research question critical
history method, the use of primary and secondary sources, as like archives,
photos, in-depth interview and analysis of related previous study was used.
The result of the research shows that the Kemlayan�s artists
community was established in Paku Buwana IV (1788-1821) period. Unlike
other community that was established based on ethnicity, religion or
business orientation, the establishment of this community was based on
Javanese traditional arts/culture of karawitan activities. Cultural activities
were done consistently in shaping characteristic of the area and it
distinguished among other social communities in Surakarta. The
Kemlayan�s artists community was part of priyayi in social stucture
because it served to Keraton Kasunanan. Various symbol of priyayi was
represented by title, house and attire. The life of Kemlayan�s artist-priyayi
was dynamic. The Kemlayan�s artist-priyayi with the skill in karawitan got
employed by KOKAR, ASKI, PJKT and Surakarta�s RRI. They were survived
in the changing of authority and kept their social status in the society. Live
in modern day was not erasing nobleness symbols that they bore. Some
symbols of Keraton Kasunanan�s legacy are still used as in the kingdom
era. The existence of Kemlayan�s artists community are always valued in
traditional Javanese culture although time has changed.
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