Javanese Karawitan as a Reinforcement of Dramaturgy in Wayang Kulit Performance at Ngampel Wetan Village, Ngampel Sub-District, Kendal Regency

Abstract

Wayang kulit (a shadow puppet) is a traditional Javanese performing art that combines elements of music, literature, and spirituality. Within this art form, karawitan serves not as mere musical accompaniment but as a vital element that shapes the dramatic atmosphere and depth of meaning in the performance. This study aims to understand the role of karawitan in strengthening the dramaturgical structure of the shadow puppet performance, Lakon Wisanggeni Krida, by Ki Bayu Aji in Ngampel Wetan Village, Kendal Regency. Using an ethnomusicological approach, this research employs participatory observation, in-depth interviews with the dalang (puppeteer) and pengrawit (gamelan musicians), and musical structure analysis. This study comes from the context of a performance held within the merti desa ritual, a social space where traditions, religiosity, and aesthetic expressions of rural communities meet. The intuitive interaction between dalang and pengrawit creates a balance between structure and spontaneity, musical form and inner experience. Therefore, karawitan not only enhances the dramaturgy of the performance but also reflects the values of harmony, togetherness, and spirituality in Javanese society.