The spirit and knowledge of this art has come from Sampeyan  Dalem  Ingkang Sinuhun Kanjeng Susuhunan Pangeran Prabu Mangkurat Ingkang  Jumeneng Ing Kartosuro (Prince Amangkurat of the Mataram Kingdom in the 17th century in Kartosuro). From over centuries, this knowledge has passed on from one generation to others, but  it's restricted to family members only.

When RADEN  SARING HADI  POERNOMO  (10th heir) inherited this art, he did not pass it immediately to his sons, Grand Master Poerwoto Hadi Poernomo and Grand Master Budi Santoso Hadi Poernomo.  He tried hard to elaborate and transform it into  body movements (of art and of fighting) and inner powers, which he calls it Merpati Putih. (see also FAMILY TREE dan  KNOWLEDGE TREE of MERPATI PUTIH).

Considering the situation and condition at that time which leads into disintegrated  of the nation, he mandated  his sons to teach and develop this great heritage  to public  all over of the nation. As a realization of this mandate, his two sons, Poerwoto Hadi Poernomo (often called Mas Poeng) and Budi Santoso Hadi Poernomo (often called Mas Budi), took action for the realization and development of the Merpati Putih as an art of empty- handed self-defense. On April 12, 1963, the Merpati Putih Organization  was established in Yogyakarta on the ground that every citizen has the same responsibilities, rights, and duties for the continuity of the country and the nation based on Pancasila (the state ideology) and the 1945 Constitution..

Today, the organization has over 500,000 students all around Indonesia and abroad. People know Merpati Putih to be a highly respected organizations. Many members of Merpati Putih have won local, national and international sport games in martial arts. Law enforcement such as The Army Elite Force (Kopassus) and War Unit (Satuan Tempur) have Merpati Putih in their curriculum programs.
 

Motto

The late great teacher, Saring Hadi Pernomo,  felt the culture of the nation should always be promoted and developed to strengthen the national identity and enhance self-confidence and national unity. He wanted to contribute something to his country in his own way. He was convinced that attitude and effort, although of no great significance, when carried out in good faith would surely be of some significance. This thought then became the organization's  motto:

                     My Contribution Is Of No Significance,  But My Sincerity Is Real