Bali’s Sanggar Tari Nanta Kemara Keeps Traditional Dance Thriving Amid Modernization
Since opening on January 14, 1988, Sanggar Tari Bali Nanta Kemara has served as a hub for Balinese tari in Banjar Menguntur, Jl. Pratu Made Rambug No. 19, Batubulan, Gianyar. It was founded by I Made Openanta, who studied local temple ceremonies and trained under regional masters. He envisioned a studio offering structured instruction. The sanggar began with a simple pavilion and a handful of learners, expanding over three decades to include dedicated rehearsal halls and an on-site gamelan pit.
The term Nanta Kemara holds deep meaning. Nanta means something great, symbolizing the hope that the center can shape outstanding individuals through art. Kemara is drawn from ke (the birth of Manguntur) and ra (children of Repot and Atub). This concept underlines a belief in passing creative heritage to future generations.
Students aged three through high school study here. They join groups based on skill rather than birth year. Beginners learn key footwork, basic hand positions and facial expressions. Intermediate learners focus on the Cenderawasih, known for bird-of-paradise motifs. Advanced rehearsals cover dramatic sequences from Balinese epics. Each session starts with warm-up exercises, moves into technical drills and ends with a run-through often set to live gamelan.
Sessions occur every Saturday and Sunday at 6:00 PM. Three core instructors lead each class, assisted by practicum students from SMKN 3 Sukawati. Every six months, new choreography meets a level assessment. Exams happen on a shaded stage where gamelan players set up, lanterns glow and snack tables appear. Each performance is recorded for instructors’ review. Graduates often return as assistant teachers, reinforcing the cycle of learning.
In an interview, Kak Diah, the founder’s daughter, said, “Dance is not merely movement but an expression of emotions interwoven with body gestures, rhythm, and the harmony of accompanying music.” Her view points to an understanding that every gesture tells a story shaped by feeling and sound. Since joining the studio staff in 2005, she has handled curriculum planning and community outreach, blending traditional steps with thoughtful interpretation.
The sanggar also offers makeup artistry workshops and short-term creative tari projects. In 2020, a series merged Balinese motifs with contemporary themes and toured community halls. Makeup classes cover classic painting techniques along with modern stage lighting effects. Academic partnerships with faculty from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts produce field studies on regional tari variants. Visiting scholars arrive each semester, inviting students on research trips to remote villages.
To match changing trends, the center maintains an active Instagram feed sharing rehearsal clips, costume tours and student spotlights, yet most families register after witnessing a live class. Personal instruction remains the sanggar’s calling card. Creating a respectful learning space stands as a core value. One featured effort is the “kantin kejujuran” (honesty canteen), where students select snacks and record purchases on a public board. No adults supervise, giving learners hands-on practice in integrity and personal accountability.
Award cabinets display the Patram Budaya Unggul trophy presented by the Bali Provincial Department of Culture in 2018 and dozens of certificates recognizing student performances at regional festivals. In 2019, members of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) rehearsed a ritual tari sequence on site for an official flag ceremony, strengthening ties between cultural and civic institutions.
Sanggar Tari Bali Nanta Kemara now functions as a living archive where new generations inherit traditional tari and prepare for roles in ceremony and daily life. Enrollment continues to grow, and each lesson serves as a reminder that one gesture, one step, one beat at a time, this art sustains the heartbeat of Balinese heritage.
