Classical Javanese dance

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 Javanese culture, 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. Clara Brakel-Papenhuijzen studied South and Southeast Asian languages and cultures at Leiden University. She is an expert in the field of classical Indian and Indonesian dance and music.