Badung Artists Showcase Spiritual Wisdom at PKB 2026

RRI.CO.ID, Badung - The preservation of spiritual values through traditional performing arts took center stage at the 48th Bali Arts Festival (PKB 2026) as traditional artists from Badung Regency delivered a profound Calonarang performance.

Staged by the Majalangu Art Studio (Sanggar Seni Majalangu) from Kerobokan, North Kuta, Bali, the production titled Geseng Waringin was designed to offer the audience a deeper, reflective experience rather than mere entertainment. The long-standing theatrical form was repurposed to highlight how internal purity serves as a defensive shield against globalized modern pressures.

The head of the Majalangu Art Studio, I Made Agus Adi Santikayasa, explained that the performance was curated to prompt self-reflection among the audience.

"Through this performance, we invite the audience to reflect on the importance of maintaining purity of heart and mind as a foundation for living life," said Head of the Majalangu Arts Studio, I Made Agus Adi Santikayasa, in Mangupura, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The production team intentionally selected the Geseng Waringin folklore due to its direct alignment with the overarching theme of PKB 2026, Atma Kerthi: Jiwa Sidha Parisudha (Purification of the Soul). The narrative centers on the historical meeting between the revered sage Mpu Bharadah and Walunateng Dirah, who is widely known as Calonarang.

In the story, Mpu Bharadah offers essential life advice to Walunateng Dirah, urging her to consistently uphold the principles of righteousness.

"This story shows a meeting between Mpu Bharadah and Walunateng Dirah or Calonarang. Mpu Bharadah advises Walunateng Dirah to do good things, to do good things, so that he can keep the atma within him pure," he said.

Santikayasa emphasized that the ancestral messages embedded within the Geseng Waringin script remain highly applicable to the socioeconomic challenges faced by modern communities. The production positions the ancient concept of Atma Kerthi as a practical guide for daily human interaction.

"This concept can be related to life today. From the mind, from the heart, good words will emerge, and good actions will follow. The important thing is to guard the heart. Atma kerthi is how we maintain a clean conscience," he explained.

To ensure effective cultural transmission, the art studio deployed 75 traditional artists for the showcase, intentionally selecting a cast comprised mostly of the younger generation. This structural focus on youth participation acts as a key mechanism for regenerating traditional performing arts within Badung Regency.

The intensive preparation phase for the production began in late February 2026. This extended five-month rehearsal schedule provided the young performers with ample time to master the complex theatrical and musical movements without being rushed, resulting in a highly polished showcase.

Santikayasa expressed his gratitude for the strong institutional backup provided by regional authorities, which smoothed the logistical process.

"We appreciate the Badung Regency Administration through the Department of Culture, which always collaborates with artists to facilitate every studio activity," said Adi Santikayasa.

Supporting this stance, Head of the Badung Regency Culture Office, I Gede Sukadana, reaffirmed the local government's long-term commitment to funding and supporting cultural arts development. The administration continues to run grassroot development programs that directly engage local art studios, establishing culture as a central pillar of the regency's community development strategy. ***