Nusa Budaya: Sustainable Development in Pringgading Village through PSPSR UGM Community Engagement Program
The Study Program of Performing Arts and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR) at the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Graduate School organized a community engagement program (PKM)—a manifestation of the Tri Dharma mission—titled “Nusa Budaya: Narasi untuk Masyarakat Berbudaya” (Narratives for a Cultured Society). The program took place from November 28–30, 2025, in Pringgading, Bantul, and Sanggar Savina. This initiative aimed to strengthen the community’s creative capacity and bridge academic practice with local social dynamics through a participatory approach that positions art as a medium for sustainable development. The activity was conducted under the supervision of the Program Director, Dr. Rr. Paramitha Dyah Fitriasari, M.Hum., and led by Febri Anugrah as the project coordinator.
This engagement program comprised three primary pillars: batik, karawitan, and plate dance workshops. In the batik workshop, the PSPSR team collaborated with the PKK women’s group of Pringgading Village to create a signature motif titled “Pringgading Kawedar.” This design was inspired by the village’s geographical identity and local landscape, incorporating elements such as bamboo (pring), the diamond-shaped core (inti wajik), creeping foliage, teak leaves, and the meru (mountain). Meanwhile, the karawitan workshop engaged the elderly through the learning of two new gamelan compositions, Lancaran Ngudi Lestari and Ladrang Bakti Krida, which were specifically composed as cultural archives for Pringgading Village. Additionally, a Plate Dance (Tari Piring) Workshop was held at Sanggar Savina, involving 18 young girls to broaden cultural literacy beyond Javanese traditions. This workshop implemented adaptive arts pedagogy, such as using plastic plates (for risk mitigation) and simplifying choreography without diminishing the essential essence of the Minangkabau tradition.
The entire series of activities concluded with an appreciation and documentation session, demonstrating the community’s success in acquiring new skills. This activity underscored that the cultural diversity of the Indonesian archipelago can adapt and flourish contextually within the socio-cultural landscape of Bantul. Overall, the program was conducted successfully and received enthusiastic participation from the local community.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Contribution:
- SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Supporting the mental and social well-being of the elderly by providing artistic activities that enhance social interaction, emotional expression, and self-esteem.
- SDG 4 (Quality Education): Promoting inclusive, lifelong, and culturally grounded learning models.
- SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Empowering women in the creative economy by strengthening the capacity of PKK members as active cultural producers and economic agents within the village.
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Strengthening the preservation of cultural heritage as a foundation for rural community resilience.
