Gianyar Studio Supports PKB Theme Through Earth Purification Dance Drama

Denpasar (ANTARA) - The Kakul Mas Art Studio from Batuan Village, Gianyar, Bali, is supporting the ‘Atma Kerthi’ theme of the 48th Bali Arts Festival (PKB) 2026 through a performance of the classical Gambuh dance drama, featuring the Malat tale of earth purification.

“Our studio is presenting a classical Gambuh dance drama that lifts segments from the Malat story, specifically the journey of the character Panji in search of his lover,” said the mentor of Kakul Mas Art Studio, I Ketut Wirtawan, in Denpasar on Tuesday.

“The performance theme, ‘Marasuda Bumi’, has been adapted to align with the 2026 PKB theme, which signifies the purification of the earth’s elements,” he added.

Wirtawan explained that the performance presents a dense structural arrangement, with all involved artists integrated into a complete traditional performance concept.

“This performance is a single, cohesive dance drama rather than a series of separate dances,” Wirtawan emphasised, highlighting the essence of the production.

The classical dance drama serves as a major attraction for visitors, featuring dialogues in the Kawi language accompanied by the melodies of large bamboo flutes.

“Preparations and rehearsals for PKB 2026 have taken three weeks, involving a total of 42 people, including 38 dancers and musicians, as well as the supporting technical team,” Wirtawan detailed regarding the personnel.

The entire production team is working simultaneously to ensure the smooth running of the dance drama, drawing on the vital capital of their previous performance experience.

“There have been no significant obstacles, as the Kakul Mas Art Studio performs regularly at PKB every year, including last year at Ksirarnawa. The only minor challenge was the attendance discipline of one or two members during joint rehearsals,” he said.

This discipline has proven capable of overcoming technical hurdles during the three-week preparation period, as the dancers trained by the studio are considered highly prepared for the large-scale stage.

Gambuh art is the oldest classical dance drama in the Balinese cultural heritage, featuring a variety of movements and vocal patterns that now serve as the foundation for modern Balinese dance.

The preservation of this ancient art requires serious attention from all elements of society to spark a massive movement to revitalise classical arts at the village level.