introductory song for the
gamelan
and
suluk
, the
dalang
‟s chant which lends colour to the athmosphere of a particular scene in the
wayang
performance.
2.4.2 Etymology of
Tembang Macapat
Macapat generally interpreted as
maca -papat papat
Read the four-four, which means I read a woven every syllables. But this is not the only one sense, there
are other interpretations. One expert Javanese literature arps describes several other meanings in his book
Tembang in two traditions
. Besides the already mentioned above, the other meaning is that
-Pat
diakritis refers to the number sign
sandhangan
In Java script relevant in
penembangan
macapat. Then according to
Serat Mardawalagu
, authored by Ranggawarsita, Macapat is an abbreviation of the phrase
maca-pat-song
the meaning is “intoned the fourth tone.” In addition
maca-pat-lagu
, there‟s more
maca-sa-lagu
,
maca-ro-lagu
and
maca-tri-lagu
. Reputedly
maca-sa
including the oldest category and created by the gods and revealed to the priests Walmiki and reproduced by the court poet Yogiswara
of Kediri. Apparently this includes the category now called by the name
tembang Gedhe
.
Maca-ro
including type
tembang Gedhe
where the number of verses per stanza
pupuh
can be less than four-syllable while the amount in each stanza
pupuh
is not always the same and created by Yogiswara.
Maca-tri
or third category is tembang tengahan
who reputedly created by Resi Wiratmaka, palace priests Janggala and perfected by Prince Panji Inokartapati and his brother. And finally,
macapat
or tembang cilik created by Sunan Bonang and revealed to all Wali Songo.
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2.4.3 The History of macapat
In general, it is estimated that macapat appear at the end of
Majapahit
and the commencement of the influence
Walisanga
, But this can only be said for the situation in Central Java. Because in East Java and Bali macapat been known before the advent
of Islam. For example there is a text from Bali or East Java, known by the title
Kidung Ranggalawe
said to have finished writing in the year 1334 AD. But on the other hand, this chronicle is doubtful because this work is only known to the more
recent versions and all the manuscripts containing this text comes from Bali. Meanwhile, about age macapat, especially its relationship with kakawin, whichever is
older, there are two different opinions. Prijohoetomo argues that
macapat
is derived
kakawin
with
Tembang Gedhe
as an intermediary. This opinion is refuted by Poerbatjaraka and Zoetmulder. According to both experts macapat as original poetry
Java metrum older age than kakawin. So macapat emerged only after the Indian influence waned.
2.4.4 The Structure of
