Cressendo Bali Art Studio: Giving Birth to Bali Kumara as a Symphony of Cultural Preservation

Sanggar Seni Cressendo Bali is an art community committed to preserving the Balinese language and culture through music. Since its establishment, the sanggar has not only served as a gathering place but has also grown into a creative hub involving children, teenagers, and the wider community from diverse backgrounds. Here, music becomes a medium to instill noble values, strengthen character education, and foster pride in the mother tongue. More than just a place for vocal training, the sanggar shapes a generation that loves tradition, respects ancestral heritage, and faces the challenges of modernity without losing their cultural identity.

Located on Jalan Pulau Menjangan, Sukawati, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Sanggar Seni Cressendo has developed into a center of artistic activity and cultural preservation. Its strategic position in a region rich with cultural life has made the sanggar a fortress of local identity standing firm amid globalization. Its presence serves not only the local community but also reaches young generations from across Bali and beyond who are eager to learn the Balinese language, arts, and traditional music. The lively environment, filled with the spirit of togetherness, makes the sanggar an ideal space for creativity and awareness of the importance of preserving Balinese culture.

Weekly Meeting Led by the Founder of the Sanggar (Photo Source: Personal Collection)

The founder of this sanggar is I Komang Darmayuda, an artist and educator born in Br. Tameng, Sukawati, Gianyar, in 1970. Coming from a family rooted in music, he became a lecturer at STSI Denpasar (now ISI Denpasar) in 1999 and later served as Head of the Music Department from 2013 to 2022. In 2008, he established Sanggar Cressendo Griya Musika Sukawati as a platform for guiding the younger generation in music. He is known as a highly productive composer, having created over 100 Balinese songs, dozens of marches and hymns, as well as several Indonesian songs. Beyond teaching and composing, Darmayuda plays an important role as a judge in the Bali Kumara competition, ensuring that participants not only sing beautifully but also understand the cultural meaning behind every lyric they perform.

Bali Kumara Singing Competition, 10th Generation (Photo Source: Personal Collection)

The flagship program of the sanggar is the singing competition of songs from the Bali Kumara album, a collection of Balinese children’s songs that has now reached its 10th generation. This album was born from a passion to keep the Balinese language alive among children and teenagers. Songs such as “Putri Kangcengwi,” “Adi Sayang,” “Pura Taman Pule,” and “Barong Bangkung” are proof that traditional music can be presented in ways that are attractive, enjoyable, and rich with meaning. Each song carries moral, spiritual, and cultural values, ranging from respect for parents, togetherness, to love for nature and the homeland. Thus, Bali Kumara is not only entertainment but also a medium for learning life values.

This singing competition is held annually and has become an event eagerly awaited by participants and the community alike. The enthusiasm reflects that traditional arts still hold a special place in the hearts of the younger generation. Even during the pandemic, Sanggar Cressendo consistently innovated to ensure that Bali Kumara continued until its 10th generation. This persistence shows that cultural preservation is not a seasonal activity, but a long-term commitment carried out with dedication. It also serves as concrete evidence that local music and culture can survive even in times of limitation.

Participants of Bali Kumara 10th Generation (Photo Source: Personal Collection)

In its implementation, participants are divided into four categories, ranging from kindergarten children to the general public. This division allows people of all ages to participate in preserving the Balinese language through music. Every participant is required to perform one of the Bali Kumara songs with full expression and deep understanding, ensuring they not only sing but also immerse themselves in the meaning of the lyrics. The greatest challenge lies in mastering the refined Balinese language, which demands both intellectual comprehension and emotional expression. Judges evaluate not only vocal technique but also language mastery, expression, and emotional depth. The sanggar’s leader emphasizes that this competition must not be seen solely as a contest, but as a cultural education platform that strengthens the identity of Balinese children.

Children of Sanggar Cressendo Preserving Local Wisdom through Bali Kumara (Photo Source: Personal Collection)

With unyielding spirit, Sanggar Cressendo Bali continues to ignite the flame of cultural preservation through music. Every note that arises from this sanggar serves as a bridge connecting today’s generation with the priceless heritage of their ancestors. Amidst the rapid flow of globalization, Bali Kumara stands as a fortress safeguarding language, tradition, and cultural identity from being eroded by modern development. This commitment proves that traditional music remains relevant and can coexist with modern culture, as long as it is nurtured with love.

More than just an album, Bali Kumara is a symphony of cultural preservation containing educational, spiritual, and local pride values. This creation not only delivers beautiful harmony but also fosters a sense of togetherness and gratitude toward ancestral heritage. The voices of children singing sincerely symbolize that tradition will live on from generation to generation. Bali Kumara will continue to resonate from the past, to the present, and into the future, bridging history with destiny, while nurturing the younger generation’s love for their culture.