Classical Javanese Dance: The Surakarta Tradition and Its Terminology

The core of this book is an encyclopedia of Javanese terms for individual dance positions and movements, with detailed drawings by Marjolijn Groustra. This is preceded by a discussion of the significance and function of the art of dancing in Javane complemented by lengthy excerpts from treatises written by Javanese specialists, and by a survey of the different genres and choreographies of traditional Javanese dance. The historical dimension is provided by an early-twentieth-century manuscript on Javanese dance from the Mangkunegaran.