Tradi-Pop: An Effort to Revive Traditional Dance Amidst Modern Entertainment Trends

Amidst the onslaught of fast-paced global entertainment trends, the world of Indonesian traditional dance needs to adapt swiftly to avoid being eroded by time. Recognising this challenge, young dancer and Swargaloka activist Bathara Saverigadi has identified an opportunity to keep traditional dance relevant and resilient. Tradi-Pop emerges as a new concept that Bathara believes can serve as a gateway for traditional dance to embrace a wider audience, particularly Indonesia’s youth. In essence, the concept marries traditional dance with the modern entertainment industry in an effort to close the gap between traditional arts and Generation Z (Gen Z). “There is a term we are developing this year, called Tradi-Pop. Tradi-Pop is actually our new way, as a gateway for laypeople to see the richness of traditional arts in a dynamic, attractive, and fresh manner,” Bathara said in Jakarta on Thursday (18/6). He further explained that the concept does not aim to corrupt established conventions, but rather to package traditional values in a dynamic, attractive, and fresh way so they can enter the popular industry sphere. For this 1997-born dancer, every era has its own ‘pop spirit’. By marrying tradition with modern industrial aesthetics, the beauty of Nusantara culture is expected to no longer feel distant to ordinary people, especially the young. “In principle, our presence as artists is important to read or re-question that tradition, what its connection is to the present and what remains relevant. This is the time for us to bring new trends and see tradition not as a dead object, but as something that lives with us in every era,” he explained. Bathara has taken concrete steps to implement Tradi-Pop through the Ksatria Fest 3.0, a national-level tradipop dance competition that promotes synergy between traditional values and popular approaches in performing arts. The programme was initiated by the Ksatria Dance Group, known as the winner of Indonesia Mencari Bakat in 2021. Now in its third year, Ksatria Fest demonstrates its consistency as a space for birthing top-tier dance talents. Previous editions produced winners such as the Silak group from Yogyakarta in 2022 and Eyes On Us (EOU) from West Kalimantan in 2023. “This Ksatria Fest activity serves as a platform to create new idols, especially in dance, a dancer who can bring new trends and be followed by many,” explained Bathara, the initiator of the festival. The Gold Medal recipient at the National Sports Week (PON) for Traditional Dance Sport added that Ksatria Fest goes beyond competition by building identity and responsibility for its winners. “The winners of Ksatria Fest will receive honorary titles: Laskar Ksatria Tari Indonesia for the group category, Garda Ksatria Tari Indonesia for duets, and Wira Ksatria Tari Indonesia for solo performers. These titles are not just symbols, but a form of moral responsibility to contribute to the development of the dance industry and inspire the next generation,” he clarified. Ksatria Fest 3.0 is scheduled to take place from 17 June to 4 July 2026, with 15 finalists from various regions across Indonesia competing for the championship title. The event is expected to produce a new generation of dancers who are not only technically excellent but also possess market appeal and cultural relevance amidst rapid societal change.