More than just a competition, the Karawitan Festival held as part of the 2025 Grebeg Suro celebrations in Ponorogo showcased the promising regeneration of traditional Javanese musicians. Over two days at Pendopo Agung Ponorogo, 15 groups performed from a total of 25 registered, many of them featuring young talents and local musicians.
“We assessed the performances based on arrangement, presentation, and musical feeling. The participants delivered everything proportionally and with maturity,” said Sunarya, one of the three festival judges, on Thursday (June 19, 2025).
The jury noted that the quality of performances was nearly even across the board, indicating that traditional Javanese music—karawitan—has spread and developed across various communities, no longer limited to a select few.
Taking first place was Dwija Budaya Laras, a group from SMPN 2 Balong, whose well-structured and refined performance impressed the judges. The runner-up was *Panji Laras Iromo from Gelang Lor Village, Sukorejo District, followed by Manuhara, a group composed of junior high school Javanese language teachers (MGMP).
According to Sunarya, the growth of karawitan in Ponorogo is closely linked to the increasing frequency of related events. “Every year, there are multiple karawitan festivals, and this consistency directly supports the improvement in the quality and number of performers,” he said. He also emphasized that most districts in Ponorogo can now independently form karawitan ensembles without needing players from other areas.
In recognition of their achievements, the top groups received trophies, monetary awards, and a complete set of gamelan instruments. The awards were presented by Ponorogo Regent Sugiri Sancoko, accompanied by Deputy Regent Lisdyarita and the Head of the Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports Department (Disbudparpora), Judha Slamet Sarwo Edi.
In his remarks, Regent Sugiri expressed his hope that the Karawitan Festival would continue to grow and become a national cultural icon. “Ponorogo is not just about Reog. We also have a rich tradition of karawitan music that deserves to be celebrated and preserved,” he said.*man
