Japanese Students Learn Gamelan and Balinese Dance at UI

JAKARTA - Students from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Japan, felt the pulse of traditional Indonesian art in a cultural workshop held at the University of Indonesia (UI), Depok, West Java.

This activity took place at the Makara Art Center and became a meeting place for two cultures through artistic approaches.

The workshop entitled "Workshop Indonesian's Art Cultural" is a collaboration between the UI Culture Directorate, TUAT, and the UI Faculty of Engineering. The goal is not only to introduce Nusantara art, but also to build cross-country closeness through participatory creative experiences.

The participants were guided directly by lecturers from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences of UI and professional artists, namely Dr. Ari Prasetyo, M.Hum., and Citra Cahyaning Sumirat, S.H., M.Pd. With the learning by doing method, students are invited to actively practice the art they have learned, not just listening to theories.

In his remarks, the representative of the UI Culture Directorate, Eko Sulistiyo, expressed his appreciation for the high enthusiasm of TUAT students.

"We are very happy to be able to host TUAT students. Art, such as gamelan and Balinese dance, is a universal language that can unite differences. This workshop is a tangible manifestation of cultural diplomacy that shows Indonesian art is able to inspire young people from various disciplines, including from the fields of agriculture and technology," he said as quoted by ANTARA.

The first session was filled with an introduction to Javanese gamelan. Students seemed enthusiastic about trying to play instruments such as saron, bonang, and gong under the direction of Dr. Ari Prasetyo. They not only learned the basic techniques of playing musical instruments, but were also invited to understand the value of philosophy and harmony contained in each gamelan composition.

The atmosphere then changed more expressively when entering the Bali dance session. Participants learned Pendet Dance and Sekar Jagat Dance with the guidance of professional dancers. Basic movements such as ngelo, agem, and seledet (eye movements) are demonstrated and followed together. Although it looked awkward at first, the atmosphere was liquid with laughter and enthusiasm when the students tried to imitate the flexibility of the Bali dancers' movements.

"I am an engineering student, but today I learned that precision and softness can blend beautifully in Indonesian culture. This is a very valuable experience and opens my horizons," said one of the participants, Yuki Tanaka, through an interpreter.

This program is part of the annual cultural exchange agenda initiated by the Faculty of Engineering, UI together with the Directorate of Culture, UI and TUAT. Through this activity, students are expected to bring home new experiences and understandings, as well as become cultural bridges that introduce the richness of Indonesian art in Japan.

The event was closed with a photo session and a short collaborative performance between Japanese students and Indonesian teachers, a symbol of the meeting of two cultures that blend harmoniously on one stage of friendship.