A rose by any other name...

The Javanese script on the image above says Sekartaji, but she was also known as Dyah Sekartaji, Dewi Sekartaji, Galuh Sekartaji, Galuh Candra Kirana, and the last Panji Semirang. It’s only a SD form, still working on the tall, slim and pretty form hehe… 

One of Indonesia's priceless legacies left by our ancestors, the semi-epic story tells the romantic love story between Galuh Candra Kirana and Raden Inu Kertapati on their perilous journey to the end.

In Thailand, in the reign of King Boromakot of the Ayudhya period, Princess Kunton and Princess Mongkut were fascinated by a story told them by their Javanese governess about charming Prince Inao (Inu Panyee Karatapati), a great lover as well as a valiant warrior. From this time on the legend became a well-known dance drama in the Royal Thai court until the reign of King Chulalongkorn.

The story is amazingly great and romantic, spreads from the Javanese Kingdoms; Daha, Jenggala, Kediri, Medang, to the island of Bali [where Galuh Candra Kirana through her adventure became King]. It also inspired many Indonesian folklore, such as 'Yuyu Kangkang', 'Keong Mas', ‘Ande-ande Lumut’, etc [I can’t recall the rest XD].

In one chapter, it tells the story of Prabu Klana Sewandana, King of the Bantarangin Kingdom, who fell in love with Dewi Sekartaji, or Dewi Candra Kirana, of the Kediri Kingdom and sends Pujangga Anom to propose to the princess for him but fails. He then goes to propose for himself and defeated the great beast who later bowed to him and joined his entourage.

Another version said the powerful King Kelono Sewandono of Ponorogo Kingdom was famous with his fighting skills and magical power, accompanied by his Patih (Prime Minister) Bujanganom & his strong soldiers were attacked by King Singabarong, The King of Lions of Kediri Jungle, supported by his army, consisted of Lions and Peacocks.
At that time the Ponorogo's group were on the way to The Kingdom of Kediri guarding King Sewandono to marry Dewi Ragil Kuning, a princess of Kediri Kingdom.
There was a big fight between mighty warriors having magical power. The peacocks flew up and down flapping their wings to support The Lions – Singa Barong.
Bujanganom with his magic whip, supported by some Waroks in black traditional dress defeated The King Lion with all his followers.
The King of Ponorogo and his

The story inspired the famous dance 'REOG PONOROGO' in East Java [also claimed by our dear neighbour ]

Anywaaaay...
It's a dream project of mine and , I do all the drawing while is doing all the writing and the researching, we are still collecting all the bits and pieces. Hope to able to make it happen next year.

The phrase "You'll never know what you got til it's gone” strike near and dear to our heart when recent occurrences hits Indonesia, many of our arts and cultural assets are being claimed by our dear neighboring countries, but I won't even go there now...it's tricky, messy and dirty let the government/ politician do it

I just thought that as the latter generation we lack the respect, love and preservation to our own culture, we worship so much to other culture, never knowing that what we have is equally amazing and precious and that if we don't care for it, who will? [Another country apparently ]

If Indonesia is my Mom-your Mom, our Mother land wouldn't you want to care and love all of her possessions? I mean wouldn't you be pissed off if your neighbor stole one of your mother's precious pearl necklace or diamond earrings? Hell, I'll kill the thief and feed it to the dogs

But, doing what I can do on my part is just to preserve the story with what I do best, preserve it in arts, comics, and other illustrations, so that the latter generation can recognize and perhaps love and care for it, amen.

Later we would like to make THE LONGEST EPIC STORY IN THE WORLD, ‘I La Galigo’ from Sulawesi, and more from Indonesia’s folktale and legends...

In case somebody tries to claim them hehe