Collection Number 9
Title Kisah dari Bayat/ Story from Bayat (Suasana Makam/Atmosphere at the mausoleum/grave
Time 1995
Time Acquisition 1995
Place Jogjakarta, DKJ, Indonesia
Place of Acquisition From painter, Jl Tungah Padi, Umbul Arjo, Jogjakarta, DIJ, Indonesia
Name Painter (Place and Year of Birth-Death)
 Sulasno (Wonosari 1957 – )
Size 79cm x 64cm
Category
(Sub-Category) 		Islam (Wali/Saints)
Current Location Bangkok, Thailand (Home)
Description Sunan Bayat is often mentioned in the Javanese manuscripts of the Babad Tanah Jawi (“History of the land of Java”) as a Wali Sanga (nine saints), although the chronicles do not generally consider Bayat as one of the main sanga. The Wali Sanga are associated with establishing Islam as the dominant religion amongst the Javanese in the 16th century. Some researchers view him the 10th wali and others do not include him among these traditional ‘saints’.

There are many versions on Sunan Bayat’s life. The famous legend tells that Sunan Bayat real name is Adipati Pandanarang, the rich governor of Semarang. Briefly, after Sunan Kalijaga, one of the Wali Sanga, spiritually persuades him, the Adipati left his status and wealth in order to become disciple of Kalijaga and to learn Islam. On the way to the Jabalkat hill to learn from Sunan Kalijaga he has to overcome many obstacles, including being robbed by two thieves Syeh Domba and Syeh Kewel who eventually became his disciples. He also served in a stall and since his presence there, many customers came and made the owner rich. After Pandanarang gained enough knowledge, Kalijaga asked him to spread Islam in Bayat and its surrounding. The other version denotes that Sunan Bayat is not the Adipati Pandanarang himself but his son. After he passed away, his body is buried in Tembayat (in short Bayat) hill and his followers bestowed him with a grand mausoleum. To this day, people seeking better luck in business and life visit the tumb.

A painting the same design illustrating the story of Sunan Bayat’s travel and tumb was exposed at the exhibition “Kaca-kaca Berlukisan Tradisi Jawa Tengah”, which was held by Bentara Budaya Jakarta on 1-5 September 1992 with the title “Suasana makam” and at the exhibition “Pameran Lukisan Kaca Sulasno” which was held by Bentara Budaya Jogjakarta on 7-14 April 1993 with the title “Kisah dari Bayat” (the same title also given by the artist).