Exploring the Spiritual Depth of Bedhaya Saptasrawana

The Bedhaya Saptasrawana dance carried on the theme “Spiritual Harmony in the Perfection of Life.” It explored the deep philosophical concepts of Saptasrawana (seven sacred hearings) and Papat Kiblat (four cardinal directions of life). These profound elements intertwined within the spiritual awareness of humanity.

Through this performance, BKKT UNS presented a modern interpretation, enhancing the dance’s traditional significance. Featuring 11 dancers, the performance drew attention to the artistic and spiritual nature of Indonesian traditional dance.

Creative Contributions to the Performance

According to BKKT UNS Public Relations Officer, Najwa Annastya Pramesti, Bedhaya Saptasrawana was an original choreographed piece. It is the result of intense internal collaboration. The performance featured 11 talented dancers. They included Hellen Vicky Monalisa, Nikmatull Tsalasa Putri, and Nita Kusuma Putri. Other dancers were Nita Sri Widayati, Valerina Siska Megarantantri, and Fahma Wijaya Sukma. Masinda Nahar Kanaya, Angela Gysca Ariella, and Mahiswari Adya Mumpuni also joined the performance. Iodesma I. S. Pamulatsih and Derren Romentiska Asmara Khrisna completed the lineup. The performers wore elegant costumes. The 21 young UNS musicians played traditional gamelan music. Together, they created an atmosphere that was both mystical and emotionally engaging.

The dancers and musicians were not the only contributors to the performance. Choreographers Aline Dwi Putri Agnesia, Azzahra Rasdyan Eka Putri, and Stefani Ayudya Prasetyo contributed to the performance’s success. Their creative efforts played a key role in its success. The musical arrangement by Maritza Novalina Kusuma Wardhani, Raysandy Satrio Wicaksono, and Muhamad Davi Andang Pragama enriched the piece. It enhanced the spiritual tone of the performance. The lighting design by Vadya Sulistyo played a vital role in enhancing the overall presentation. Stage management by Hafshoh Sri Lestari and Muhammad Ammar Azfa also contributed to the performance’s success.

Celebrating Cultural Heritage

Expressing pride in BKKT UNS’s participation, Najwa emphasized the importance of traditional arts in preserving Indonesia’s cultural heritage. She shared, “We are truly honored to perform at ISI Surakarta’s 24-Hour Dance. This event provides an excellent platform for self-expression. It is also an opportunity to introduce and preserve traditional arts for a broader audience.”

This year, the 19th World Dance Day 24-Hour Dance carried the theme “Land of Thousand Kingdoms.” It highlighted the rich cultural heritage, history, and royal legacies of the archipelago. The event served as a collective celebration of the nation’s diverse ethnic groups, customs, and traditions. It performed artistic expressions as a unifying force for Indonesia. Humas UNS

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The celebration began with a joint prayer led by Drs. Ignatius Agung Satyawan, S.E., S.Ikom., M.Si., Ph.D., followed by opening remarks from Prof. Ari Natalia Probandari, dr., M.P.H., Ph.D., Chairperson of the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year Celebration Committee.

In her speech, Prof. Ari highlighted the theme of this year’s celebration: “Let Us Now Go to Bethlehem” (LUKE 2:15).

“This event is part of the annual activities organized by the Christian Community of UNS and ISI Surakarta. This year, it was preceded by a social service activity, specifically health check-ups, held at the UNS Primary Medical Center Clinic on January 9. A total of 127 cleaning service employees from UNS and ISI received free medical check-ups provided by the team from the UNS Primary Medical Center and UNS Hospital,” Prof. Ari said.

A Collaboration Between Two Universities

The Rector of ISI Surakarta, Dr. I Nyoman Sukerna, S.Kar., M.Hum., emphasized in his remarks that this joint Christmas celebration symbolizes a shared sense of brotherhood and strengthens unity in fostering a life filled with peace and joy.

“The chosen theme reflects the spirit of seeking faith and truth. It is a simple yet profound theme, reminding us of humanity’s purpose and hope for salvation. We hope this theme inspires us to embody humility and genuine dedication as a form of gratitude,” Dr. I Nyoman explained.

Meanwhile, the Rector of UNS, Prof. Dr. Hartono, dr., M.Si., remarked that Christmas is a special moment carrying a universal message of love, peace, and hope. In an academic environment filled with diverse backgrounds, the spirit of Christmas serves as a reminder to maintain harmony and tolerance.

“Christmas encourages us to spread goodness, uphold inclusivity, and instill a spirit of peace in every step we take. The strong relationship between UNS and ISI is concrete proof that inter-institutional collaboration enriches academic perspectives while fostering bonds of brotherhood. This spirit of unity must be preserved and passed down to future generations, ensuring that the values of unity, togetherness, and mutual respect continue to thrive in our academic community,” Prof. Hartono added.

This year’s Christmas celebration was attended by two religious leaders, Father Fransiskus Kristino Mari Asisi, SJ, and Reverend Dr. Ir. Timotius Haryono, M.Th. The Mayor of Surakarta, Drs. Teguh Prakosa, also graced the event with his presence. The celebration concluded with intercessory prayers led by Father Fransiskus, followed by a group photo session and a friendly gathering.

Humas UNS

• Reporter: Dikky Yudi Pradana
• Editor: Dwi Hastuti

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Chair of the Christmas Celebration Committee, Prof. Ari Natalia Probandari, dr., M.P.H., Ph.D., explained that the Baksos was part of the 2024 Christmas and 2025 New Year celebrations. “This is an annual activity conducted by the joint Christian Community of UNS and ISI Surakarta,” Prof. Ari stated.

The program specifically targeted cleaning service staff from UNS and ISI Surakarta. “Our target is 125 cleaning service staff from both campuses. We chose to focus on them because they play a vital role in maintaining campus cleanliness. Through these health check-ups, we hope they can better understand their health conditions,” she added.

The health examinations included blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and uric acid tests. Participants also had the opportunity to consult with medical professionals about their results.

“We provided free consultations with doctors, including specialists in ENT, pulmonology, and dentistry. To support this program, we collaborated with UNS Hospital, the UNS Medical Center, and the Faculty of Medicine (FK) UNS,” Prof. Ari elaborated.

While waiting for their turn, participants received education from young doctors of FK UNS about healthy living habits.

“We hope this social service event can benefit our cleaning service colleagues,” Prof. Ari said.

The Head of the UNS Medical Center Unit, Dr. Selfi Handayani, dr., M.Kes., expressed her gratitude to the Christian Community of UNS and ISI Surakarta for entrusting the clinic to host the Baksos event.

One of the cleaning service staff from UNS, Sanem, shared her excitement about participating in the free health check-ups.

“I hope this becomes a regular event so that cleaning staff can monitor their health,” Sanem said.

Humas UNS

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The event was held in the FKIP UNS Postgraduate Building courtyard Friday (18/3/2022). Viewers can enjoy the show, on-site live performance, Zoom Cloud Meeting, and a live broadcast at the official SEMAR TV Youtube channel. This event is a part of a series of activities to celebrate the 46th Anniversary of UNS. The competition participants in this activity include the FKIP UNS leaders, staff, employees, and lecturers from all study programs at FKIP UNS.

The competition was officially opened by Dr. Mardiyana, M.Sc., as Dean of FKIP UNS. In his remarks, he conveyed the purpose of this traditional fashion competition. He argued that this traditional fashion competition was essential in maintaining fellowship in the FKIP UNS environment. “This activity is one of the artistic activities hosted by the Faculty as a means of gathering for lecturers, academic support staff, students, and all academic communities at FKIP UNS. In addition, this activity aims to instill national culture, where we showed our diversified nationalism. I think we can witness the result together in the morning race today,” explained Dr. Mardiyana.

Dr. Mardiyana is also grateful that, even with a strict health protocol implementation, many FKIP UNS activities in welcoming the UNS anniversary can be carried out on-site (live). Moreover, the various activities held are also expected to be entertainment media for all academic communities in the FKIP UNS environment. Dr. Mardiyana also said that FKIP also enlivened the UNS 46th Anniversary by organizing various activities. These activities are expected to be a continuous and sustainable event in the next UNS anniversary. “We organized several activities, specifically in FKIP. There are blood donor activities, meetings with the leaders of State University FKIP throughout Indonesia, training activities for lecturers and students as facilitators for children with special needs, academic activities, artistic activities, sports activities, and many other activities,” he added.

The implementation of fashion competitions is prepared in a careful manner. The competition venue has been arranged in such a way to resemble a catwalk area for a fashion show model. The participants walked around and showed off the very diverse fashion of the Indonesia archipelago. They also pose in front of the camera.

FKIP UNS also invited competent judges in this field. There were three judges, Eko Wakyu Prihantoro from the Indonesia Institute of Art (ISI) Surakarta, Kusnanta from the Batik Surakarta Foundation, and Intan Winda, S.Sn., as an art and modelling practitioner. Humas UNS

Reporter: Rangga Pangestu Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti

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The Vice-Rector for Management and Human Resources Affairs UNS, Prof. Bandi, and UNS Christian Association was welcomed by the Rector of ISI Surakarta, Dr. I Nyoman Sukerna.

The striking difference between this year’s and previous year’s celebrations was the thick Javanese culture permeated in this year’s celebration. The songs and preach were all delivered in Javanese, followed by Gamelan music accompaniment.

Prof. Bandi, representing the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal Wiwoho, delivered his gratitude for the warm greeting from ISI Surakarta. Prof. Bandi also appreciated ISI Surakarta as the host for holding a Christmas celebration that is thick with Javanese culture.

“President Joko Widodo once said ‘Spirit of Java’ is in Solo. Representing the Rector of UNS, I send a message of unity and tolerance inter-religious community,” Prof. Bandi stated.

The Vice-Rector also reminded us that the Christmas celebration between UNS and ISI Surakarta could spread the spirit of love and unity among the people.

Dr. I Nyoman Sukerna, in his opening remark, stated that the theme of “Christ Love that Moved Solidarity” promoted in this celebration need to be defined as improving life by becoming a person that benefits the community and achieving world peace.

“This Christmas celebration is a means of solidarity of inter-religious communities in UNS and ISI Surakarta,” he stated.

He also hoped that the celebration could give meaning and strengthen the solidarity among the inter-religious communities. The celebration was opened with Gendhing Manguyu-uyu, Beksan Umbul Donga, followed by Pandonga Syafaat oleh Dr. Ir. Timotius. Haryono, M.Th. UNS Golek Mugirahayu dance and Opera Akapela “Cahyo Tanpo Asmo” from ISI Surakarta were also presented in the celebration. The celebration was concluded with preaching from Pdt. Dr. Uri Christian Sakti Labeti. S.Si., M.Sn. Humas UNS

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