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Kakawin

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Kakawin dewasa putri wirama basantatilaka


Kakawin are long narrative poems composed in Old Javanese, also called "Kawi", written in verse form with rhythms and metres derived from Sanskrit literature. Poets used a formalized literary language, rather than the vernacular. Poets composed and performed the poems at the courts of central and east Java kings between the 9th and 16th centuries, and in Bali.

Contents

Kakawin Radheyasuta Kakawin Sebagai Puisi Jawa Kuna

Although the poems depict events and characters from Hindu mythology, the narratives are set in the local landscapes of the islands. They are rich sources of information about courtly society in Java and Bali.

Kakawin Page from a Ramayana Kakawin manuscript prasi

Structure of a kakawin

Kakawin Index of aksarabaliart2jpg

A kakawin stanza consists of four lines. Each line has a set number of syllables per line, set in patterns of long and short syllables based on Sanskrit rules of prosody. A syllable which contains a long vowel is called guru (Sanskrit for "heavy"), while a syllable which contains a short one is called laghu (Sanskrit for "light"). The term guru laghu denotes the structure of a line.

Kakawin Kakawin and Kakawin39chitl Set of 2 serigraphs with matching

For example, each line of the kakawin metre called "Śardūlawikrīd[?]ita" consists of 19 syllables. The guru laghu of each line is as follows" ---|UU-|U-U|UU-|--U|--U| U. The notation "-" means that the syllable in question is long, while the "U" means that the syllable is short.

As an example, the opening stanza of the Kakawin Arjunawiwaha, which is in the metre Śardūlawikrīd[?]ita, is taken:

Kakawin Old Javanese poem in poetic metres Kakawin Sutasoma
ambĕk sang paramārthapaṇḍita huwus limpad sakêng śūnyatātan sangkêng wiṣaya prayojñananira lwir sanggrahêng lokikasiddhāning yaśawīrya donira sukhāning rāt kininkinirasantoṣâhĕlĕtan kĕlir sira sakêng sang hyang Jagatkāraṇa
Kakawin Old Javanese poem in poetic metres Kakawin Sutasoma
A tentative translation in English:The thought of the one who knows the Highest Knowledge has leapt from the emptiness.It is not because he wishes to fulfill his senses, as if he only wants to have the worldly things.The success of his virtuous and good deeds are his goals. He endeavours for the happiness the world.He is steadfast and just a wayang screen away from the "Mover of the World".

A syllable which contains a long syllable is automatically long (ā, ī, ū, ö, e, o, ai, and au) and thus guru. But on the other hand, a vowel which is followed by two consonants is also long. In addition to that the last syllable of a line may both contain a long or a short syllable. It is an anceps.

List of notable kakawin

  • Inscription of Śivagŗha, 856
  • Kakawin Ramayana ~ 870
  • Kakawin Arjunawiwaha, by mpu Kanwa, ~ 1030
  • Kakawin Krsnayana
  • Kakawin Sumanasantaka
  • Kakawin Smaradhana
  • Kakawin Bhomakawya
  • Kakawin Bharatayuddha, by mpu Sedah and mpu Panuluh, 1157
  • Kakawin Hariwangsa
  • Kakawin Gatotkacaśraya
  • Kakawin Wrtasañcaya
  • Kakawin Wṛttayana
  • Kakawin Brahmandapurana
  • Kakawin Kunjarakarna, by mpu "Dusun"
  • Kakawin Nagarakṛtâgama/Kakawin Desawarnana, by mpu Prapañca, 1365
  • Kakawin Arjunawijaya, by mpu Tantular
  • Kakawin Sutasoma, by mpu Tantular
  • Kakawin Siwaratrikalpa/Kakawin Lubdhaka
  • Kakawin Parthayajña
  • Kakawin Nitiśastra
  • Kakawin Nirarthaprakṛta
  • Kakawin Dharmaśunya
  • Kakawin Hariśraya
  • Kakawin Banawa Sekar Tanakung
  • References

    Kakawin Wikipedia