The Story of `Gatutkaca Luweng’

By Barrie | March 30th, 2008 | No Comments

Following is a synopsis of the Gatutkaca Luweng drama, which the Wayang Wong Bharata performed on Jan. 5, 2008, from 8:30-11:15 p.m. at their home theater:

Lesmana Mondrokumoro, the bad knight of the Kurawa clan, decides to seduce Pergiwa, the wife of Gatutkaca. In order to realize this, he abducts Pergiwa’s son Sasikirana and takes him to the kingdom of Astina, over which Lesmana rules.

Immediately following this event, Pergiwa follows Lesmana to his palace to reclaim her son — falling into Lesmana’s trap.

Gatutkaca, although he is severely ill at the time, upon hearing about the abduction of his son and wife, rushes to Astina Kingdom to save his family. But weakened by his illness, he is easily captured, falling into a luweng (a deep and dark pit).

The punakawan wise men inform the Pandawa brothers Bima (Gatutkaca’s father) and Arjuna (Gatutkaca’s uncle) of the situation, who then combine forces to rescue Gatutkaca and his family, and to punish Lesmana and the Kurawa clan.

Their task fulfilled, all return safely to the Amarta Kingdom in a happy ending.

Ani Suswantoro