Life in Words

Sriwedari, A Song, A Legend, Her.

By Sayyidskiy February 15, 2015 lagi kangen, Romantis

A rainy afternoon on February… Phrase “Musim hujan, hati-hati banyak kenangan. Ups, genangan.” works just fine to me until this ...

A rainy afternoon on February…

Phrase “Musim hujan, hati-hati banyak kenangan. Ups, genangan.” works just fine to me until this happened...

I was listening to music on my phone randomly. It came out a song from Maliq and D’ Essentials’, Setapak Sriwedari. Used to be her favorite song. God, why do I still keep this song?

Lihat langit di atas selepas hujan reda, dan kau lihat pelangi
Seperti kau di sini hadirkan sriwedari, dalam suka duniawi
Dan kita berpijak lalu Kau merasakan yang sama sepertiku

Suara hati kita bergema melantunkan nada-nada
Melagu tanpa berkata seperti syair tak beraksara

Lihat fajar merona memandangi kita seakan tahu cerita
Tentang semua rasa yang ingin kita bawa tanpa ada rahasia

Dan kita melangkah untuk lebih jauh lagi, lebih jauh lagi..

Suara hati kita bergema melantunkan nada-nada
Melagu tanpa berkata seperti syair tak beraksara

(Setapak di taman sriwedari, setapak sriwedari denganmu..)

Dan kita berpijak lalu, dan kita melangkah untuk, lebih jauh lagi, lebih jauh lagi..

Suara hati kita bergema melantunkan nada-nada
Melagu tanpa berkata..
Irama hati kita bernada, merayu tanpa bicara
Melagu tanpa berkata seperti syair tak beraksara
Seperti puisi tanpa rima, seperti itu aku padamu

(setapak sriwedari denganmu) seperti itu aku padamu
(setapak sriwedari denganmu) seperti itu aku padamu

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Rain. Afternoon. Alone. Love song. You’re doomed.

Well then, at the end of the song, I was kinda wonder what Sriwedari is. I did an online brief research to find out.

If we google “Sriwedari”, we’ll find many search results redirect us to Taman Sriwedari, Solo. Yes, Taman Sriwedari is one of cultural place in Solo, Central Java. It is a theater and cultural park showing traditional art performance, called Wayang Orang, or Puppet played by humans/people. The story itself is based on Ramayana and Mahabharata epic.

Sriwedari in Maliq’s song is not that Taman Sriwedari in Solo. It refers to Garden of Heaven, in Hindu epic story. Sriwedari is a garden in heaven, a place where Gods and Goddesses live together.

A long time before Ramayana and Mahabharata story or even older than Baratayudha War (War between Pandawa and Korawa), there was a kingdom named Maespati, ruled by king Arjuna Sasrabahu (not Arjuna, son of Pandu, from Baratayudha epic). At that time, Sumantri and Sukrasana lived. They were brothers, children from Suwandagni. Sumantri was different from his brother, Sukrasana. Sumantri was a handsome and strong man. While, Sukrasana was depicted as an ugly man with midget body, yet generous.

Sukrasana

Sumantri

Sumantri wanted to be a soldier of Maespati kingdom, then he asked the King, Arjuna Sasrabahu. The king will promote Sumantri, if only Sumantri can take Dewi Citrawati, Princess of Magada Kingdom to be a Queen of Maespati Kingdom. Sumantri succeeded to bring Dewi Citrawati to King Arjuna Sasrabahu, but Sumantri didn’t want to give her for free for the King. Sumantri challenged the King for a fight, and the winner could claim Dewi Citrawati as wife. Arjuna Sasrabahu accepted the challenge and... He won.

As punishment, the King ordered Sumantri to bring Sriwedari, Garden of Heaven, to Maespati kingdom. Sumantri didn’t know how to bring Sriwedari to Maespati kingdom. In confusion, Sumantri met his brother, Sukrasana. Sukrasana has a power given by Candra Birawa, a great warrior from giant race who can reach heaven with his power. Sukrasana helped his brother Sumantri, brought Sriwedari, garden of heaven to Maespati Kingdom.

So, that’s what Sriwedari is, a garden of heaven, a place for Gods and Goddesses, the most beautiful place ever existed in the world. Just like her.

source I

source II