The third day of the Bali Arts Festival (PKB) XLVI highlighted the captivating performances of young artists playing Gender Wayang, traditional Balinese shadow puppet music, at the junior high school level. Despite performing without the traditional wayang puppets, these young talents managed to present a creatively engaging art form that captivated audiences.
Participating in the Gender Wayang competition known as Wimbakara, three youth groups from Jembrana, Badung, and Bangli showcased their skills, each representing their respective regions with unique techniques and styles, showcasing distinct advantages.
Every note played by these young musicians drew awe from the audience, filling the performance venue to capacity. They portrayed the character of gending wayang (traditional musical pieces for shadow puppetry) from their own regions, enriched by the creative input of their mentors, resulting in performances that were both sweet and captivating.
“The development of young Gender Wayang artists has shown remarkable progress. They perform with excellent technical proficiency, evident in the heartfelt delivery of the gending,” remarked jury member I Gusti Sudarta.
While Gender Wayang has been developing across all districts and cities in Bali, rapid advancements are particularly noted in Badung, Gianyar, Denpasar, and Tabanan. Each year sees a new generation taking the stage with fresh faces and innovative concepts.
“In recent years, we’ve seen continuous improvement and a cross-pollination of styles and repertoire among Gender Wayang performers. For instance, the Karangasem style being adopted by musicians from other regions is a unique way to appreciate different local cultures. Similarly, the distinct styles of Gianyar and Badung can be embraced by other regions,” explained a performing arts lecturer from ISI Denpasar.
Professor I Made Bandem emphasized the festival’s strategy of equitable representation, providing communities with opportunities to showcase their cultural heritage. “PKB’s vertical integration strategy ensures every community has the chance to develop and preserve their cultural arts. This approach supports the sustainable development and preservation of traditional arts,” he affirmed.
The Gender Wayang performances at PKB reflect a vertical strategy aimed at achieving excellence in quality. “The curation process for Gender Wayang is unique and compelling, capturing the essence of traditional shadow puppet performances. Their musical techniques are outstanding,” added Prof. Bandem.
Participants from various districts showcased their unique styles, such as Bangli with its distinctive approach introduced by senior dalangs (puppeteers), and Badung featuring the traditional wayang wong (human puppetry) from Desa Bualu. Jembrana also showcased talented dalangs with a longstanding reputation. “The exchange of styles must be protected, preserved, and celebrated through competitions ranging from village to provincial levels,” concluded Prof. Bandem. (TB)