Introduction and Empu Mudra keris

SidJ · 29th January 2025, 04:15 PM

Is that keris really made by a bona-fide Empu or a self professed one?

David · 29th January 2025, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SidJ

Is that keris really made by a bona-fide Empu or a self professed one?

Ketut Mudra is indeed well respected in Bali and often acknowledged as the last pande who still knows the proper rites and mantras necessary to create a keris suitable to becoming pusaka. He does descend from a long line of pande besi and apparently began making keris in 2000.
I have rarely seen the title of "Empu" applied to pande keris in Bali and the same system of keraton appointed keris makers does not, as far as i know, exist in Bali. However, in 2025 many things are different in the keris world than they once were. As you can see in the article and the video i have posted below, Ketut Mudra is indeed being recognized by others as an Empu.
None of this, however, speaks specifically to craft or skill level when it comes to creating a high art keris.

https://www.nowbali.co.id/empu-keris...acred-daggers/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQrr4EsnL_I

Sajen · 29th January 2025, 09:05 PM

Is the keris blade in question really worked by pande Mudra? By all respect, the blade in question looks like it was made by a beginner!?

Regards,
Detlef

SidJ · 30th January 2025, 12:07 AM

Looks like the skill in carving in the finer details on the blade are a direct function of the thickness of the wheel on the angle grinder being so enthusiastically used in David's video! That's a hard no for me personally.

A. G. Maisey · 1st February 2025, 05:05 AM

David is absolutely correct in respect of his remarks about Pande Ketut Mudra.

He is descended from a long line of pandes who served the Puri Klungkung.

He is probably the last pande keris living who knows the old mantras.

Yes, his art work is perhaps not as good as the art work of some other keris makers, but artwork is only one aspect of keris production, Pande Ketut Mudra is highly respected by the people of his own culture & society, and the elements of any culture are the property of the people who own that culture.

It is not the place of any person from outside a culture to criticize the craftsmen who work within any culture.

SidJ · 3rd February 2025, 10:12 AM

Alan,
We live in strange modern times. Culture is a contentious term. In the olden days when things were set apart I would agree with your last sentence. But today pandes make and sell keris to folk outside their culture for commercial gain. On this basis, I see nothing objectionable in those outsiders expressing their opinions on the art they have access to. By objective standards the keris we see is plainly of a less sophisticated physical form than its forbears. It may be equally spiritually potent but no judgement is made in that regard. If the new form is accepted by the Balinese so be it. But because a Balinese chooses for whatever social norms or custom to not assess critically the form of the blade is perhaps one of the reasons why we now see this type of change? I say all this with the utmost respect and only in manner of Socratic questioning.

29th January 2025, 04:15 PM	#1
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 207	Is that keris really made by a bona-fide Empu or a self professed one?

29th January 2025, 09:05 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,163	Is the keris blade in question really worked by pande Mudra? By all respect, the blade in question looks like it was made by a beginner!? Regards, Detlef

30th January 2025, 12:07 AM	#4
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 207	Looks like the skill in carving in the finer details on the blade are a direct function of the thickness of the wheel on the angle grinder being so enthusiastically used in David's video! That's a hard no for me personally.

1st February 2025, 05:05 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,988	David is absolutely correct in respect of his remarks about Pande Ketut Mudra. He is descended from a long line of pandes who served the Puri Klungkung. He is probably the last pande keris living who knows the old mantras. Yes, his art work is perhaps not as good as the art work of some other keris makers, but artwork is only one aspect of keris production, Pande Ketut Mudra is highly respected by the people of his own culture & society, and the elements of any culture are the property of the people who own that culture. It is not the place of any person from outside a culture to criticize the craftsmen who work within any culture.

3rd February 2025, 10:12 AM	#6
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 207	Alan, We live in strange modern times. Culture is a contentious term. In the olden days when things were set apart I would agree with your last sentence. But today pandes make and sell keris to folk outside their culture for commercial gain. On this basis, I see nothing objectionable in those outsiders expressing their opinions on the art they have access to. By objective standards the keris we see is plainly of a less sophisticated physical form than its forbears. It may be equally spiritually potent but no judgement is made in that regard. If the new form is accepted by the Balinese so be it. But because a Balinese chooses for whatever social norms or custom to not assess critically the form of the blade is perhaps one of the reasons why we now see this type of change? I say all this with the utmost respect and only in manner of Socratic questioning.