Karaton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat presents Wayang Wong Lakon Pragolamurti

As an offering for the new year, KHP Kridhamardawa Karaton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat held a Wayang Wong performance of the play Pragolamurti. KHP Kridhamardawa fan, KPH Notonegoro, said that the selection of this play was related to the spirit of the turn of the new year. "Because the play (Pragolamurti) implies a new chapter for Raden Abhimanyu who is married to Dewi Siti Sendari, but it doesn't end there. The play also continues with the challenges faced after marriage. This is in line with the turn of the year which is a new chapter and also full of new challenges,” explained Kanjeng Noto.

The play Pragolamurti is a carangan story that tells the story of Begawan Pragolamurti. He offered his heart to Dewi Siti Sendari, daughter of King Krishna. Meanwhile, three other applicants, namely Prabu Jathasura, Raden Angkawijaya (Abimanyu), and Prabu Dasalengkara, also wanted to marry Dewi Siti Sendari. Finally, Raden Abhimanyu succeeded in marrying Dewi Siti Sendari.

Set in the Kagungan Dalem Bangsal Srimanganti and presented by approximately 50 players, the Wayang Wong Pragolamurti show is presented in three episodes. The first episode begins the play with Prabu Jathasura of Tambakgiri. He ordered his prime minister, Patih Jathagambira, to go to Dwarawati to propose to the princess.

The Dwarawati Kingdom then proposed a burden (dowry) for those who wanted to marry Dewi Siti Sendari. The burden is in the form of a fugitive wana (forest animal) led by a white monkey. This was also prepared by two potential suitors, namely Raden Abhimanyu (son of Raden Arjuna) and Begawan Pragolamurti. Meanwhile at Ngandong Sekar hermitage, Begawan Pragolamurti sent his student, Puthut Guritna, to go to Dwarawati to propose.

The second episode continues in the atmosphere of a grand meeting in the Dwarawati royal hall. Prabu Kresna was receiving the arrival of Raden Abhimanyu, accompanied by Resi Mayangkara who had helped prepare the fugitive's dowry. Not long after, Begawan Pragolamurti also came with a similar dowry. The two potential applicants then got into a fight, which was later won by Raden Abhimanyu. Not long after, Patih Jathagambira came as an ambassador to apply for Dewi Siti Sendari. The war between the Tambakgiri kingdom and the Dwarawati state was unavoidable.

The third episode concludes the Wayang Wong Pragolamurti. Raden Abhimanyu's love relationship with Dewi Siti Sendari still faces obstacles. Prabu Dasalengkara, king of the Singgelopura kingdom, is also in love with Dewi Siti Sendari. Therefore, Prabu Dewa Angkara was appointed to be an ambassador by handing over a pair of broken twins. Arriving at Dwarawati, Dewi Siti Sendari has officially become Raden Abhimanyu's wife. Prabu Dasalengkara was furious and there was a big war between the two countries.

Wayang Wong Pragolamurti was first performed during the reign of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono V (1823-1855). Wayang Wong Pragolamurti was also staged for two days in August 1939, during the reign of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono VIII.