Entering the World of Gambuh – Balinese Theatre
I never imagined myself diving into the world of Theatre in Bali. I’d always admired it from afar, but being part of it seemed out of reach. That all changed when Bumi Bajra, a Balinese Theatre group specialising in the traditional art of Gambuh, reached out to me.
It all started with a TikTok video. I’d posted a clip of myself attempting a Balinese dance trend, and it gained some traction. Shortly after, I got a message from Ida Made Dwipayana. He told me Bumi Bajra would be performing at the opening of the new Icon Bali Mall in Sanur. I thought he was inviting me to watch, so I replied, “Great! I’ll be there!” Little did I know, he was actually asking me to join the performance. Having followed Bumi Bajra on Instagram for quite a while and being inspired by their work, I couldn’t miss the chance to be part of their latest creation.
Due to the misunderstanding, I missed the first rehearsal but managed to catch up at the next one at ISI Denpasar. Joining the group, I quickly realised that Gambuh dance movements were different from the traditional Balinese dance I was familiar with. It was an eye-opening experience. I sat on the sidelines in awe, pinching myself and wondering how I ended up here, a beginner surrounded by such talented artists I’d admired for years.
Despite my nerves, I soon discovered that Bumi Bajra values passion and the drive to learn over skill level. The atmosphere was welcoming and nurturing. Even though rehearsals were fast-paced and conducted mostly in Balinese, I occasionally missed some moves because I didn’t always completely understand the instructions. Thankfully, the choreographer, Kevin Muliarta, used expressive body language, and everyone was patient, helping me get up to speed.
After just two weeks of rehearsals, it was time for the big day. We rehearsed at Icon Bali Mall the day before the opening. The mall was still under construction, but our performance was on the beach, which was a relief. On the day of the performance, I was unsure about costumes, makeup, and hair since it was my first time performing in Bali. In Australia, my dance group, Sanggar Lestari, provided everything, so I felt unprepared when I realised I needed to bring my own hair and costume accessories including makeup. Fortunately, the other girls helped me with my hair and lent me what they could or had left over to get my costume in order.
As we took the stage, my excitement was mixed with nerves. My costume wasn’t as secure as I’d liked, and I could feel my kamen slipping. When we moved into the water, things got chaotic. My costume got wet and heavy, and I stumbled a few times, but I managed to keep going. On my exit, I slipped on the rocks multiple times and got tangled in my costume, but thankfully by then, I was almost offstage. It wasn’t until I got backstage that I realised part of my costume was now missing.
This experience was a huge learning curve. Next time, I’ll be better prepared with all the necessary accessories and ready to help others, just as they helped me. Despite the challenges, my first performance with Bumi Bajra was unforgettable. And hey, at least the photos turned out cute! Hopefully I can continue to work with Bumi Bajra in the future and learn more about the world of Gambuh.
All photo documentation by Luciana Ferrero
