UNAIR NEWS – Dance and Musical Activities Unit (UKTK) team of Universitas Airlangga made another impressive achievement. They won Third Place in Regional Student Art Week (PEKSIMIDA) 2022, held on August 31, 2022, in Graha Cakrawala convention center, Universitas Negeri Malang.
UNAIR UKTK team performed the Owah Gingsir Dance, which literally means transformation. The Owah Gingsir Dance is a dance creation that depicts the spirit of communal work in women when helping a celebration event, commonly referred to as ‘rewang’ tradition.
Dance philosophy
Nowadays, people tend to be more individualistic and want things instantly. Those behaviors may shift the Javanese ‘rewang’ tradition. More than just a symbol of communal work spirit, ‘rewang’ is also a form of community communal bonds. Therefore, the performers served the spirit of mutual cooperation in women through the dance moves a la East Java.
“The variety of movements used is adapted from East Java variety, especially Ponorogo. The basic movements are smooth, agile, and deft in accordance with the activities of women who are actively helping in ‘rewang’,” said Sabela, the Deputy Chair of UKTK.
To add a modern touch, they also used East Java’s innovative traditional movements.
Fashion philosophy
Apparels in the dance performance were a sleeveless top and skirt with an orange base color, complemented by a floral motif that depicts a female figure.
“Orange color gives vibrant vibes and symbolizes optimism and socializing values. The floral motif shaped like a mirror on the front and back of the top adds an accent to the home dress motive that women usually wear during ‘rewang’,” she continued.
To show the feminine character, the dancer also wore earrings and bracelets. Brown eye shadow and natural color lipstick mark the simplicity with bun hairstyle a la local women.
Sabela further explained the preparation process until they won third place. “The preparations were pretty long, about a month, including finding musician talents, dancers, music director, choreographer, and others,” she said on their release on Monday, September 5, 2022.
Feeling proud of the UKTK team’s achievement, Sabela hoped that the team would continuously contribute its best artwork to pass the PEKSIMINAS 2024.
Author: Indah Afsari
Editor: Nuri Hermawan
