Song 'Bali Falls Silent' Born Behind Kerobokan Prison Ahead of Nyepi

Ahead of Nyepi, the Hindu new year celebration for the year 1948 Saka, a musical work has emerged from within the walls of Kerobokan Prison. A group of inmates united in the band Antrabez released a song titled ‘Bali Menyepi’.

Antrabez representative Octav Cicilia said the song was born from a simple reflection on the meaning of silence, often forgotten in daily life.

“Nyepi is not merely stopping activities. There is space to truly listen to oneself. From this contemplative experience, the song ‘Bali Menyepi’ was born,” he said whilst releasing the song at Kerobokan Prison on Monday, 16 March 2026.

He added that through the song, Antrabez wants to convey the message that silence is not emptiness, but rather a space to rediscover the meaning of life.

“In a world that is increasingly noisy, we sometimes forget what true silence feels like. Through this song, we want to invite people to feel peace in silence again,” he said.

The song ‘Bali Menyepi’ was released on 13 March 2026 and can be heard on various digital music platforms. The work was inspired by the atmosphere of Nyepi in Bali, when activities pause momentarily, streets become deserted, and nature seems to breathe freely again.

The lyric excerpt “Today my Bali breathes freely without your pollution” symbolises a release from the traces of human activity. The repetition of the phrase “My Bali falls silent, my Bali stands alone” is interpreted as a space for reflection when humans learn to make peace with themselves.

Antrabez vocalist Mohamad Aldi said the opportunity to create music whilst inside the prison is a source of pride for himself and his colleagues.

“For us as inmates, this is a source of pride. Although we are confined within the prison, we can still create art,” he said.

According to Aldi, the musical activities are not separate from the prison’s support in providing space for inmates to develop their creativity.

“All of this is certainly thanks to the support from the prison, from the prison director, the regional office, and the coaching staff who continue to support us. Although the facilities we have are simple and incomplete, we can still use them to create,” he said.

Aldi admitted he had no background as a musician before serving his sentence. Rather, he learned music skills whilst participating in rehabilitation programmes inside the prison.

“Before, outside the prison, I was not a musician. I was not a regular musician. But it was within this prison that I gained new knowledge. Here I was given the opportunity to develop my vocal abilities, learn about musical notes, and learn to sing,” said the 30-year-old man.

Aldi, who is currently serving a sentence of five years and three months, views the experience as valuable preparation for his future life.

“Whilst serving my punishment from the state, I have also gained positive things that will serve as preparation for my future life,” he said.

Meanwhile, ahead of Nyepi and Eid al-Fitr, the prison authorities in Bali have prepared various measures to ensure the celebration of these religious occasions proceeds orderly at Kerobokan Prison.

Decky Nurmansyah, the Head of the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Corrections in Bali, said they have arranged staff schedules and religious coaching activities for inmates.

“As in previous years, staff members who are non-Hindu will support our Hindu colleagues so that they can observe Nyepi peacefully. So during Nyepi, non-Hindu staff will remain on duty at the office,” he said.

He explained that interfaith tolerance is a fundamental principle in conducting religious activities within the prison.

“We respect all religions, whether Hindu, Islam, Christianity, or other religions recognised in Indonesia. In prison, inmates can still observe their religious duties in accordance with their respective faiths as part of their rehabilitation,” he said.

In addition to preparing for Nyepi, the prison is also arranging worship for Muslim inmates celebrating Eid al-Fitr and has proposed sentence remission for inmates who meet the criteria.