Young Performers Upbeat About Future
Amid a geopolitical climate trend of retreating into ultra-nationalism and rejecting globalism, Namarina Youth Dance (NYD) group presents an escape through the art of ballet.
NYD showcased a symphony of eastern tradition and western flair, coalesced into a dance of poise and grace, during their recent performance at the German cultural center GoetheHaus in Jakarta.
The performance was the group’s sixth in their DanceScape Series, titled Dancing for the Future, and was split into two parts — Tradikal and Aku dan Waktu (Me and Time).
Dinar Karina, the choreographer of Tradikal, said the dances in this part were rooted in classical ballet and were infused with Indonesian culture.
“We have learned classical ballet throughout our childhood, and have internalized the techniques as the foundation. However, we live in Indonesia, so we wanted to create an Indonesian ballet,” Dinar said.
During the 12-minute Tradikal performance, the main dancers of NYD along with their apprentices, who are mostly teenagers, performed in classic ballet tutus, pirouetting nimbly in time with the music. They were interwoven with other dancers wearing vaguely traditional Indonesian attire, and performing a fusion of East and West.
A change of music and a troupe of dancers in patterned terracotta ensembles entered the stage. The dancers moved energetically, their sharp legwork and gestures not unlike martial artists locked in combat.
Also gracing the stage was a duo, one in white and one in red, evoking the national flag. Both moved in harmony, one complementing the other, dancing as individuals but still in sync.
Aku dan Waktu involved a larger roster, consisting of the main NYD dancers. The piece, according to the organizers, represents the “individual within diversity and the time everyone travels”, sharing the same challenges in time despite each individual’s distinct path.
A music arrangement titled “Persistence in Diversity”, performed by Rhythm Salad League, accompanied the dancers during the Aku dan Waktu routine.
The composition used the tresillo rhythmic pattern, apparently to symbolize the persistence that the dance piece evokes. Meanwhile, the variety of instruments used symbolizes the diversity through the different timbres, adding color to the piece.
The presentation closed with a short dance from Larina, a division of Namarina specializing in performing at special events. Using modern dance music, the dancers ended the event on a high note, evoking an upbeat tone as if optimistic for the future.
Maya Tamara, the artistic director and Namarina’s school principal, added that they could not compare themselves with other ballet productions such as Swan Lake from ballet companies such as The Royal Ballet from Britain or the New York City Ballet.
“For us in Indonesia, with such a rich culture from Sabang to Merauke, we can dig deep and combine them in such a way that it can be something to be proud of,” Maya said.
The dancers themselves certainly felt proud of their efforts, as Maya said they train four times a week, increasing to seven times a week as the day of their performance looms closer.
Another production, titled Berceritera (Storytelling), is set to be performed at the Jakarta Theater hall in Taman Ismail Marzuki later in November.
Courtesy : Thejakartapost
Photo : pinterest
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