The Gandrung is an Indonesian ritual dance that was created to express devotion to Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice and fertility. It’s a lovely, classical dance that’s evolved into a sort of courtship dance depicting a girl looking for a man over time. Gandrung is a Javanese word that means “desperately in love” or “infatuated.” The dance is popular in Lombok and Bali, where it is performed at social events, weddings, and to entertain tourists. It is thought to have originated in Banyuwangi, East Java.
Despite the fact that there are several dancers on stage, the focus of attention is on a single dancer who is either an unmarried girl or a boy dressed as one. Transvestites may appear as main dancers on occasion, and there may be more than one main dancer on stage. The Gandrung usually begins around 9:00 p.m., and dancers perform all night. The dance, which concludes before dawn, is comparable to other Javanese dances such as the tayub, ketuk tilu, and lengger.
A traditional costume, ornamental headgear, shawl, and a beautiful fan are worn by the main dancer. During the dance, the dancer uses this fan or shawl enticingly to indicate interest in a member of the audience. If the person is close enough, he or she can tap them with the point of the fan or throw the shawl to them. In most cases, the invited guest dances with the dancer.
As a token of appreciation, an invited audience member may give the dancer a small sum of money. Banyuwangi’s welcome dance earned the city the moniker “City of Gandrung.” The Osing are the indigenous people, and the dance is thought to reflect their personalities. Madura, Java, and Bali are all represented in the dance form. The music has a Balinese flavor, and the dance moves can occasionally appear Javanese or Madurese.
The Gandrung has lost its ritual connection to the goddess Dewi Sri over time, and it is now occasionally performed as a courtship dance outdoors in some parts of Lombok. Violins, gongs, drums, and kenong were among the first instruments used by musicians. Others, such as bonang, gamelan, xylophones, and terbang, were added over time.
Other instruments such as the angklung, saron, and gendangs may also be used by musicians. A singer may occasionally contribute his or her voice to a Gandrung dance. The exotic music is quite lively and varies according to where the dance is performed.