Karawitan Jaipongan as a New Genre in Sundanese Kerawitan

The existence of karawitan in West Java led to a debate among the artists. This study attempted to reveal various factors which had led to the debate by comparing the kerawitan jaipongan to the previous tradition. In this way, it was hoped that the differences in elements between the karawitan jaipongan and the kerawitan previously performed in the Sundanese tradition could be revealed. The elements discussed included the waditra (instruments) such as bonang (gamelan instrument consisting of row of tuned inverted bronze bowls), goong, kecrek (pieces of metal on strings which are made to rattle for sound effects), and kendang (small drum covered with leather on each side). Through these objects, it could be known that the kerawitan jaipongan was a new creation created by the artists as the rules in it were different and tended to deviate from those applicable in the Sundanese tradition. Based on the analysis, it could be concluded that the debate in the karawitan japipongan started from the five waditra (instruments) as they were regarded as deviating from the original story in the Sundanese tradition. Keywords: Garap on jaipongan, waditra, and sundanese musica