Kendhang Indonesian traditional music instruments
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According to historical evidence, membranofon group has been popular in Java since the mid-9th century AD with the name: padahi, pataha (padaha), murawa or muraba, murdangga, murdala, muraja, panawa, kahala, damaru, percussion. The term 'padahi' oldest cemetery inscriptions can be found at Temple who framed the year 821 AD (Goris, 1930). As written in the book "MPU Nagarakrtagama Prapanca" year 1365 AD (Pigeaud, 1960), the term will continue to be used until the royal Majapahit era.
The mention of to kendhang with various names indicate a variety of shapes, sizes and materials used, among others: a small Kendhang, which is depicted on the statue is being held by the gods, this drum is called "damaru". Evidence of the existence and diversity of kendhang, can be seen in the reliefs of temples as follows:
- Borobudur Temple (early 9th century AD), depicted a variety of Kendhang like shapes: cylindrical slender, asymmetrical barrel shape, cone shape (Hary, 1985; 1986).
- Shiva temple at Prambanan (mid 9th century AD), on the ledge of the temple gate, Kendhang placed under the abdomen by using a kind of rope.
- Classical period (the period of East Java), around the 14th century), found relief of a person carrying a cylindrical Kendhang with a strap worn around the shoulders.
- Panataran Temple, temple young classical period (the period of East Java), around the 14th century, relief Kendhang membrane is described using only one hand and beaten with using a beater endless round. Jaap Kunst (1968:35-36) calls this musical instrument "dogdog".
There's something interesting about the origins of this Kendhang, which is a similar mention of the Old Javanese written sources with source written in India. This proves that there has been cultural contacts between the two, including in the field of performing arts.
However, no conclusion can be drawn that the Kendhang of Java is the influence of Indian drums. Because musical instruments membranofon species was thought to have existed before the existence of cultural contacts with India, which is used on ritual occasions. At the time of prehistoric cultures in Indonesia metal (bronze culture) has been known for the "moko" and "nekara". Nekara of his day to function as a kind of timpano.
Other types of instruments of membranofon are 'Bedug' and 'trebang'. The term 'Bedug' found in the book of the Song of younger malate. In Kakawin Hariwangsa, Ghatotkacasraya, and Kidung of Harsawijaya similar instrument called the term "tipakan". In addition there is the term 'Tabang-Tabang' in the book Ghatotkacasraya and the book Sumanasantaka which may have evolved into the term of "Tribang".
If these data are correct, then the call "trebang" or "bedug" is not a musical instrument that appears after the entry of Islamic culture, but has existed since the 12th century AD (Zoetmulder, 1983:317-395).
When viewed from its size, Kendhang is divided into several types:
- Kendhang Small sized, the type is referred to as "ketipung"
- Kendhang Medium sized, called a drum "ciblon" or "Kebar".
- Kendhang Large sized , Kendhang of this type is a pair ketipung, called Kendhang gedhe, or commonly known as "Kendhang kalih". These Kendhang are usually played on a song or a smooth character gendhing like: Ketawang, gendhing kethuk kalih, and ladrang rhythm dadi. Can also be played quickly on the opening song kind of launch, ladrang rhythm half-hearted.
- Especially for the puppet there's another one that is typical kendhang "Kendhang Kosek".
Kendhang, played only by hand, without any other tools. at the hands of professional gamelan players who dive into the culture long enough java, Kendhang is a musical instrument played using instinct. Therefore, there is always a difference in the nuance, sound, depends on the people who play it.
