THE EDITOR – Didik Nini Thowok, the well-known Dance Maestro, is back with another exceptional work. During the celebration of the 2025 Chinese New Year held at the National Museum, Monday (10/2), he showcased a Bali dance in front of ministers, VIP, and VVIP guests.
Even though it didn’t last longer than 15 minutes, his “Cinta Meretas Batas” dance, which is famously known as Barong Landung Dance among Balinese people, successfully put the audience in awe.
This phenomenal work was brought by Didik and two other legendary dancers from Bali, namely Professor Dr. I Wayan Dana – who is also a Dance Maestro, and Ni Nyoman Sudewi – an artist and a lecturer at Indonesia Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta (ISI Yogyakarta).
WHY DOES DIDIK NINI THOWOK CHOOSE BARONG LANDUNG DANCE OF BALI TO PERFORM DURING CHINESE NEW YEAR?
Didik Nini Thowok behind the scene of Barong Landung Dance (FOTO: Elitha Evinora Beru Tarigan/THE EDITOR)
Didik, who was met by The Editor exclusively in the dressing room of the National Museum on 10 February 2025, said that he really wants to introduce Indonesian culture that has been influenced by China.
According to him, knowledge of this cultural acculturation is very important for the younger generation, who he says are currently not very interested in learning about culture.
“I personally want to share that a lot of Indonesian culture is influenced by Chinese culture. I am very happy to tell this through dance and culture. One of them is from Bali, through the Barong Landung Dance,” Didik began his explanation.
Specifically for this Barong Landung Dance, Didik conducted a special research in Bali, precisely at Pura Dalem Balingkang, Kintamani, in 2004.
This temple is reported to be visited by many Chinese people living in Bali. The ornaments used in parts of the temple are also Chinese in character with dominant shades of yellow and red.
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At this temple, the spirits worshiped are King Sri Jayapangus, Kang Ching Wee, a daughter of a wealthy Chinese merchant, and the Goddess of Lake Batur named Dewi Dhanu.
The story, set during the time of Admiral Cheng Ho’s arrival to Nusantara, is both romantic and tragic as Kang Ching Wee was unable to have children after marrying King Sri Jayapangus.
In Hindu culture, if a family does not have children, the husband will go to a temple specifically for those seeking offspring.
Kang Ching Wee allowed her husband, King Sri Jayapangus to meditate at Mount Batur, which was far from the palace.
Unfortunately, during his ascetic journey, the King fell in love with the Goddess of Lake Batur named Dewi Dhanu. They were blessed with a son who was long awaited by the King.
Meanwhile, Princess Kang Ching Wee, who was getting restless, finally decided to look for her husband at Mount Batur. Arriving there, she was shocked and angry to find her husband enjoying another marriage.
Kang Ching Wee and Goddess Dhanu attacked each other. As they were both powerful, no one lost and no one won.
However, it is said that the gods were furious and descended to earth to curse King Sri Jayapangus into Barong Landung.
Surprised at the anger of the gods, Princess Kang Ching Wee relieved her anger and requested that the gods also punish her by turning her into a barong to be with her husband forever.
The princess’ request was granted and a pair of Barong Landung emerged.
BALINESE PEOPLE ARE HAPPY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES
Ni Nyoman Sudewi from ISI Yogyakarta said she was delighted to be asked by Didik Nini Thowok to enliven the Chinese New Year event with a performance of Barong Landung.
As a Balinese artiste, she says that China has had a considerable influence on Balinese culture that has endured until now.
“With Mr. Didik, I’m used to collaborating, so I’m very happy. Bali is also influenced by China, the kepeng money used for ceremonies in Bali is also influenced by China,” he said.
For this dance, Ni Nyoman said she only practised once. But, for her, dancing is not just about moving your body according to the rules, it is also a collaboration on stage that requires great harmony.
“The frequency has to be the same and we don’t want to stand out individually,” said Ni Nyoman in unison with Didik Nini Thowok.
This friendship, says Ni Nyoman, can only happen because Didik Nini Thowok is very humble. So, the stage that was supposed to be for the Maestro was eventually changed because Didik himself choreographed a routine that made anyone who danced on stage with him look united.
“Just share, don’t be so selfish,” Didik said directly to Ni Nyoman Sudewi’s words.
Professor I Wayan Dana also said the same thing. During his career, he admitted that he spent quite a lot of time with Didik Nini Thowok and Ni Nyoman Sudewi. However, he admitted that he never involved his ego even though he was directly asked to dance for Chinese New Year.
“Use your heart,” said Professor Wayan.
As Balinese dance teachers, Ni Nyoman Sudewi and Professor Wayan encourage young dancers of Chinese descent to learn their history like Didik Nini Thowok, who is able to work abroad until his age.
HEAVY DANCE EQUIPMENT
The heavy and complicated dance equipment did not make the artists who performed on the 2025 Imlek Kongsi stage feel burdened. Each headdress of the dancers who performed that night weighed at least 1 kilogram on average. Even so, the three of them looked relaxed carrying it as they walked towards the stage which was quite far from the make-up room.
Didik himself said that his headdress was not as heavy as that worn by Professor Wayan who performed as King Sri Jayapangus. Especially for this dance, he continued, fast footwork was needed. So, he had to keep his distance from the other dancers who were also wearing crowns so as not to be hit by the swords used while dancing.
FRANCIS INSTITUTE OF INDONESIA AMAZED BY THE RICHNESS OF INDONESIA’S CULTURE
Meanwhile, the Director of the Francis Indonesia Institute (IFI) Jules Irrmann said that the diversity of tribes and cultures in Indonesia reminded him of his country, France.
Jules also expressed his admiration for the artists who performed at the Kongsi 2025 event. According to him, the dancers were brilliant because the stage collaboration they showed was perfect.
“French culture is also heavily influenced by Russia, Celtic, and Germany. It’s the same as Indonesia, whose local culture is also influenced by China. I think tonight’s performance is very beautiful and very rich in culture,” said Jules when asked for his opinion by The Editor.
