Wasitodiningrat, K. R. T. (Kanjeng Raden Tumengung a title of honorary royal status)

Wasitodiningrat, K. R. T. (Kanjeng Raden Tumengung, a title of honorary royal status), important Indonesian composer and performer; b. Yogyakarta, Java, March 17,1909. (His former names are Wasitolodoro, Tjokrowasito, and Wasitodipuro; he is frequently known as Ki Wasitodiningrat, Ki being an honorific for artistic achievement.) He was born in the Pakualaman Palace, one of 3 principal courts of central Java, where his father was director of musical activities. Wasitodiningrat studied dance from the age of 6, graduating from the SMA National H.S. in 1922. He became music director of the Yogyakarta radio station MAVRO in 1934, and remained there through the Japanese occupation, when the station was called Jogja Hosok-joku. In 1945 the station became RRI (Radio Republic Indonesia); he served as director there again in 1951. Between 1951 and 1970 he taught dance at the Konservatori Tari and the Academy Tari, both in Yogyakarta, and music at the Academy Karawitan in Surakarta; he also founded and directed the Wasitodipuro Center for Vocal Studies in Yogyakarta. In 1953 he toured Asia, North America, and Europe. In 1961 he became associated with the new dance/theater form sendratari, later becoming music director for P.L.T. Bagong Kussudiardjo’s troupe. He succeeded his father as director of the Pakualaman gamelan in 1962. In 1971 he joined the faculty of the Calif. Inst. of the Arts as master of Javanese gamelan; taught workshops at both the Los Angeles and Berkeley campuses of the Univ. of Calif. Wasitodiningrat is a leading performer and composer of central Javanese music; the Pakualaman gamelan’s recordings are considered exemplary; one is included in the 40 minutes of music installed in the spacecraft Voyager, intended to represent our planet’s music to outsiders. His numerous awards include a gold medal from the Indonesian government honoring his devotion to Javanese music. He frequently performs with his daughter, Nanik, and her Balinese husband, Nyoman Wenten.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire