Punakawan - Semar, Gareng, Petruk, Bagong

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Gareng, Petruk, Bagong in 1600*1000 size:

Gareng, Petruk lan Bagong in 1600*1200 size:
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Punakawan - Semar

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"Ngluku" - Traditional Plowing

"Ngluku" (Jw. = plowing) is an activity of traditional farmers using animals such as buffalo or cows to help them in cultivating their rice-field. In spite of modern era when tractors are common, still we can find such a method in rural villages in Indonesia.

All images in the slideshow are 1200*900 sized.
Originally taken with pocket digital camera: Samsung S750.
Photoshopped.

Downloads:
Ngluku-1
Ngluku-2
Ngluku-3
Ngluku-4
Ngluku-5
Ngluku-6
Flock of Birds

Hanuman - The Mascot of TMII (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah)

Hanoman - WP, originally uploaded by BornJavanese.

If you visit TMII (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah) in East Jakarta, Indonesia, you will see a billboard figuring Hanuman (Anoman), the most hero in the Ramayana epic. Look at the picture above! "Nitra" abbreviates "Anjani Putra", means "Son of Anjani". Hanuman has become the mascot of the famous place in Jakarta - the capital city of Indonesia - since 1991, which was the sixteenth anniversary of the place, inaugurated by the past Mrs. Tien Soeharto, the inspirer of TMII. Visiting TMII will give you a taste of the various ethnics and cultures of Indonesia at a glance. So, welcome to Indonesia!

Camera: Canon PowerShot A400, edited with Adobe Photoshop CS.

The royal seal of Kraton Jogja

Still from the land of Jogja, now I present to you the royal seal of Sultan Hamengku Buwana. In Javanese language the seal is called "Praja Cihna". Kings of Kasultanan Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (Jogja or Yogyakarta) used the symbol to validate their official letters. Since the kingdom has become a cultural power of the people, sometimes common people who has no relationship with the palace also use the symbol to express their pride of being Jogja people. They put stickers or badges of it on their motorbikes, cars, tables or on the guest's room wall. You're right, I post this picture so that you can put it on your desktop as well! [skd]

Size: 1024*768

Gigantic statue of Vishnu

Vishnu, also known as Narayana, is supreme being or Ultimate Reality for Vaishnavas and a manifestation of Brahman in the Advaita or Smarta traditions of Hinduism (Wikipedia).

This picture is a sequel to the picture I've posted before, The Head of Garuda. It was taken in the same place: Garuda Wishnu Kencana, Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia. I Nyoman Nuarta is the engineer behind the project of that spectacular site. [skd]

Size: 1024*768
Photo and design by Kandar Ag.

The Head of Garuda - Bali

I toke this picture on 2003. It was the last time I visited Bali. Yes, it is the gigantic bronze statue of the head of Garuda in Garuda Wishnu Kencana area, Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia. It is a spectacular tourism place in Bali, where there are two big bronze statues. Another one is the statue of Wishnu (Vishnu), one of great gods of Hindu.

I got the picture with Nikon F-10, a celluloid manual camera, and scanned it with CanoScanLIDE 20 to have it digitalized. I just cropped the head, gave it yellow outer glow, and replaced the original background with a yellow-black gradient circle layer.

I thought of impression when I choose that black color as background. Glowing and gradient yellow color will make an aura effect of the object. The head of Garuda should look brave and powerful, as it is the riding bird of Wishnu. [skd]

Size: 1024*768
Photo & Design by: Kandar Ag.

I love Jogja!

Wonderful memories of the great culture in it's solemnity bears the loving spirit forever..."

That's what I can say about Jogja, my beloved hometown. In there I was born and enjoyed my childhood very much. Being educated as a Javanese boy I feel the love to the traditions and the heritages of my country. I feel the aura of spirituality and religiousity. There's a kind power to live the spirit. Living apart from my motherland has risen all wonderful memories of the city and the richness. The miss of it has driven me to live it.

Javanese culture which takes orientation to the royal traditions and culture has become the spirit of all Javanese all over the world. Jogja and Surakarta are the most centrums of their traditions and culture, and they bring the spirit wherever they are.

Above is the picture of Tugu (a memorial building stone) of Jogja. That's an icon of the city. Actually it's one amongst another three in the constellations of royal and sacred sites of Jogja: Mount Merapi - Tugu - Sultan Palace - and Indian Ocean. There's a virtually straight line connecting the sites. Mount Merapi is in the North while Indian Ocean in the South. When you come to Jogjakarta - Indonesia, you'll see the Tugu which place is near the Tugu Train Station. So, welcome to Jogja, "The never ending Asia"! [skd]

Size: 1024*768
Click through the picture to view the larger size!

Original picture belongs to eddyg30.