Singaraja – The 44th Bali Arts Festival (PKB) was officially opened on Sunday (6/12/2022). This annual event begins with a peed aya (parade) centered in front of the Perjuangan Rakyat Bali Monument, Renon, Denpasar. Dozens of contingents, ranging from representatives of districts/cities throughout Bali, universities, banking, and so on, presented their best works of art.
The sounds of gamelan combined with beautiful dances that are full of meaning are the main attraction in this parade. This moment also shows the spirit of the revival of the noble arts of Bali. The parade was greeted enthusiastically by the local people and tourists who had packed the streets a few hours before the event started.
The parade was opened by the Minister of Home Affairs, Tito Karnavian, accompanied by the Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster. On that occasion, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, was also present.
Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (Undiksha) was one of the participants in this parade. The contingents who are members of the Regional Arts Student Activity Unit (UKM) display works of art that raise traditional ceremonies, traditions, and culture in the Buleleng Regency.
The work still refers to the PKB theme, namely “Danu Kerthi: Huluning Amerta” (Glorifying water as the source of life). This theme is actualized in the work of the Manah Toya, which is a ritual of water glorification ceremony. This ceremonial procession is taking holy water in the lake (spring) by shooting an arrow filled with flowers into the water of the lake. Then the water is taken a right where the flowers fall. The holy water is used as a means in the pitra yadnya ceremony. This procession is accompanied by a Pedeengan/peed aya, dressed in Payas Deeng, a typical Buleleng Regency dress for the Pitra Yadnya ceremony.
At this moment, Undiksha’s appearance was also sweetened with the Ngilehang Pemios tradition, namely the mepeed gebogan jaja tradition called Jerimpen as high as 1 meter to 1.5 meters. This tradition is carried out at the Ngusaba Village ceremony in Lemukih Village, Sawan District, Buleleng Regency. The jerimpen is carried by dancing around the shrine at Puseh Bale Agung Temple three times by residents who have just entered the new village manners.
Next, there is the Ngongcang Tradition. Ngoncang is a tradition of pounding rice in Balinese society. The sound of the pounding ketungan makes a rhythmic sound. This tradition is also displayed at religious ceremonies, pitra yadnya, namely at the cleansing ceremony.
This performance is accompanied by Gamelan Baleganjur Terompong Ngandang. This gamelan art combines the sound of ketungan (ngoncang) and several instruments to accompany the drums.
The parade also introduced the Payas Agung Ningrat Buleleng dress, a typical Buleleng wedding dress that was previously only used by royalty or noble castes. Over time, this look has developed to be used by the general public.
Undiksha’s performance was able to attract the attention of the audience. Not a few who immortalize it through photos and videos.
The drafter and producer, Nyoman Sugita Rupiana explained that it took about a month to prepare this beautiful work of art, starting from drafting the concept, selecting participants for the parade, as well as cultivating gamelan. The challenge faced is to compose several materials so that they can be accommodated within five minutes of the performance and the meaning of the work can be understood by the audience.
Despite these challenges, Undiksha’s success in appearing again at this annual art event was warmly welcomed. Appreciation is also given to students who are passionate about their work and are able to perform optimally as expected. “It’s extraordinary, and we try to present the best work for Undiksha,” said the Undiksha lecturer and artist familiarly called Mang Git.
One of the participants, Ida Ayu Santi Pinandita Erawan, admitted that she was very happy and proud to be able to represent Undiksha to appear at PKB. She and other students were able to represent the rich culture of Buleleng to the wider community and further introduce Undiksha.
Appreciation was also given by the Head of the Bureau of Academic, Student Affairs, Planning and Cooperation (AKPK), I Made Yasa. He, who represented the Chancellor at the parade, assessed that the performance of the Undiksha contingent was extraordinary. According to him, students’ participation in PKB can foster and increase creativity. He hopes Undiksha can participate in the next PKB and other art events with increasing creativity.
Previously, Undiksha also participated in the 43rd PKB, as the ambassador of the province of Bali, by performing adult gong kebyar, dance creations in line, and dance creations kekebyaran. (lpsy)
