Photo: Bhakti Widya Kahuripan Performance “Cupak Gerantang Anglanglang Dharma” at Pura Pasar Agung Gunung Batur, Kintamani, Sunday (3/3)
The Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Denpasar-Bali presented an ecological performance titled “Cupak Gerantang Anglanglang Dharma” at Jaba Pura Pasar Agung, Batur Village, Kintamani Subdistrict, Bangli Regency, on Sunday, March 3, 2024, in the evening. This dance drama performance, which was part of the 2024 Bhakti Widya Kahuripan Program, was presented collaboratively by 100 lecturers, educational staff, and students of ISI Denpasar with the support of the Batur community.
ISI Denpasar Rector, Prof. Dr. I Wayan ‘Kun’ Adnyana, stated that the performance of “Cupak Gerantang Anglanglang Dharma” was an actualization of the learning process for ISI Denpasar students. The play, which had been rehearsed for two months, involved director I Kadek Widnyana, M.Sn., choreographer I Gede Oka Surya Negara, M.Sn., with compositions by Dr. Ketut Garwa and I Nyoman Kariasa, M.Sn. In their performance, the characters wore new designs of headpieces and costumes by A.A.Ngr.Anom Mayun K.Tenaya, M.Si, and Cokorda Alit Artawan, S.Sn., M.Sn.
Photo: Bhakti Widya Kahuripan Performance “Cupak Gerantang Anglanglang Dharma” at Pura Pasar Agung Gunung Batur, Kintamani, Sunday (3/3)
On the morning before the art performance, ISI Denpasar conducted the Mulang Pakelem ceremony at three points, namely at the peaks of Kanginan and Kauhan Mount Batur, and at Lake Batur. Pakelem, in the form of black chickens and ducks, was offered with the intention of requesting and maintaining the harmony of the universe.
“During those three days (March 2-4, 2024), we conducted a journey akin to yatra, entered sacred ceremonial spaces, then practiced for a long time to strengthen the ecological performance of Cupak Gerantang Anglanglang Dharma with new costumes and headpieces premiered that night,” said the Professor of Art History.
Photo: Bhakti Widya Kahuripan Performance “Cupak Gerantang Anglanglang Dharma” at Pura Pasar Agung Gunung Batur, Kintamani, Sunday (3/3)
Prof. Kun Adnyana revealed that the essence of this activity was to bring the academic community, especially students, closer to experiences related to the sacredness of Balinese culture. “Considering creative higher education institutions like ISI Denpasar, we greatly needed spaces for spiritual enrichment, feelings, and empathy towards the vortex of civilization and the noble culture of Bali. Only then could we strengthen and actualize our spiritual sense,” he added.
Aside from the Cupak Gerantang dance drama, ISI Denpasar also presented Tabuh Kebyar Dang Citta Utsawa, Tari Baris Kakuwung and Rejang Sadhyang Ulu Ranu, as well as Tabuh Gambang Suling as the opening.
Photo: Bhakti Widya Kahuripan Performance “Cupak Gerantang Anglanglang Dharma” at Pura Pasar Agung Gunung Batur, Kintamani, Sunday (3/3)
Cupak Gerantang Anglanglang Dharma told the story of two siblings, Cupak and Grantang, who had completely different characteristics. Cupak reflected all the bad qualities of humans, he was greedy, envious, and often betrayed. Meanwhile, Grantang, the younger brother, had good manners and polite speech.
One day, they participated in a contest to rescue the Princess of the Kediri Kingdom who was kidnapped by the Giant Benaru. Grantang managed to defeat the Giant Benaru. However, through deceit, Cupak harmed and tricked Grantang and brought the Princess to the palace, claiming to have rescued her.
Photo: Gamelan Playes in Bhakti Widya Kahuripan Performance “Cupak Gerantang Anglanglang Dharma” at Pura Pasar Agung Gunung Batur, Kintamani, Sunday (3/3)
The King then crowned Cupak as the new king as a reward for bringing his daughter back to the palace safely. Cupak celebrated his coronation by devouring food greedily without etiquette.
Unexpectedly, Grantang, who was thought to be dead, came to the palace to confront Cupak. Cupak, who possessed the power of Brahma Kundawijaya by the blessing of Lord Brahma, transformed into Rangda. Meanwhile, Grantang, who received the blessing of Lord Iswara, transformed into Barong Swari.
The performance of “Cupak Gerantang Anglanglang Dharma” captivated the audience, mostly the Batur community, with its strong narrative, innovative artistic composition, environmentally-based choreography, accompanied by melodic gamelan compositions, and supported by performance props combined with exquisite lighting.
Photo: Bhakti Widya Kahuripan Performance Team “Cupak Gerantang Anglanglang Dharma” at Pura Pasar Agung Gunung Batur, Kintamani, Sunday (3/3)
Jero Penyarikan Duwuran Batur, who also witnessed the performance, expressed joy at the selection of Batur as the venue for this sacred art presentation, especially Pura Pasar Agung, believed to be the meeting place of Purusa and Pradana. Over the past two years, ISI Denpasar had staged ecological art performances in the Batur area, namely Nuwur Kukuwung Ranu in 2022 and Batur Ulu Pasuwakan in 2023 at Pura Segara Danu Batur.
“The ecological performances by ISI Denpasar have proven to inspire at least the people I know. Activities through artistic spaces allow the principles and philosophy of Batur’s local wisdom to be understood. Hopefully, this movement can continue to flow and become a pattern for enlightenment spaces in the future for better devotion, understanding, and reverence,” he said.
Jero Penyarikan Duwuran extended congratulations and expressed gratitude to the entire academic community of ISI Denpasar for the performance of “Cupak Gerantang Anglanglang Dharma” and hoped that the cooperation between ISI Denpasar and the Batur Village would continue. “Thank you for choosing Batur as a space for artistic elaboration, and may what has been built be continually nurtured so that from its source, it can provide a flow of wisdom for the Balinese community,” said the alumnus of Ancient Javanese Literature at Udayana University (ISIDps/Humas-RT).”