I Made Christian Wiranata Rediana, an alumnus of the Study Program of Performing and Visual Arts Studies (PSPSR), delivered a captivating performance at the closing of the International Graduate Scholars’ Conference in Indonesia (IGSSCI) on November 5, 2025,by presenting the Topeng Gunung Sari dance. Redian’s performance became the impressive highlight of the event, combining the beauty of traditional Javanese performing arts with the spirit of cultural preservation in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Topeng Gunung Sari dance performed by Redian tells the story of Raden Gunung Sari who adorns himself to win the heart of his beloved, Dewi Ragil Kuning from the Kingdom of Jenggala. Through a series of muryani busana movements or expressions of dressing and beautifying oneself. Redian successfully brought to life the character of a charming young prince. Each of his graceful dance movements, accompanied by the gamelan piece Ladrang Sumyar in the pelog pathet barang tuning system, created a perfect harmony between visual and auditory elements that delighted the audience’s senses.
The selection of Topeng Gunung Sari dance as the closing performance of IGSSCI was highly relevant to the conference theme focusing on creative and cultural industries. This performance aligns with the achievement of SDGs Goal 4 on Quality Education and Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities. Traditional performing arts such as classical Javanese dance represent intangible cultural heritage that needs to be preserved and developed as an integral part of arts education and sustainable cultural community development.
Redian, who has deepened his knowledge of performing arts through his education at PSPSR, demonstrates that alumni of this study program can become agents of cultural preservation as well as drivers of the creative industry. His mastery of classical dance techniques and deep understanding of the philosophy behind each movement reflect the quality of education he received. This performance also proves that traditional arts can serve as an effective medium for cultural diplomacy in international forums.
IGSSCI participants from various countries gave high appreciation to Redian’s performance. They were mesmerized by the subtlety of his movements, captivating facial expressions, and the costume and mask rich in symbolic meaning. The presence of traditional performing arts in the context of modern creative industry studies demonstrates that cultural preservation and innovation can go hand in hand, enriching the academic experience of conference participants.
Through his performance, Redian not only beautifully closed the IGSSCI series of events but also reminded all parties of the importance of preserving cultural heritage as an asset for sustainable development. Traditional performing arts are not merely entertainment, but guidance that carries noble values for future generations. (DF)
