| Element | Rule | |---------|------| | (syllable count per line) | 8, 8, 8, 8 or 8, 8, 7, 7 | | Guru lagu (vowel ending per line) | Fixed pattern: u, a, i, a (for 8-8-8-8) or u, a, u, a (for 8-8-7-7) | | Cacah gatra (lines per stanza) | Exactly 4 | | Purwakanthi (internal assonance) | Optional but encouraged for flow | Example pattern (8,8,8,8 – vowel endings u,a,i,a) Line 1: ends with u Line 2: ends with a Line 3: ends with i Line 4: ends with a Example (8,8,7,7 – u,a,u,a) Line 1: ends with u Line 2: ends with a Line 3: ends with u Line 4: ends with a 4. How to Compose Tanteku (Step-by-Step) Step 1 – Choose a theme Common themes: criticism of arrogance (gumedhe), warning about gossip (omongane wong), simple living (urip mung mampir ngombe).
Speech is holy, heart is dirty Holiness only on the lips Sweetness is just a pretty face Turns out the heart is bitter with anger Example 2 (Advice for youth) Javanese Ojo dumeh sugih banda (u – variant) Kuwasa tanpa pamrih a (a) Urip iku mung sementara (i – 9 syll. allowed in folk style) Suk mbesuk bakal ngadepo (a) tanteku
“Aja mangro tingal donya” (Don’t be confused seeing the world – 8 syllables) | Element | Rule | |---------|------| | (syllable