DikaSanthi Candra Pastika Art Studio: From a Village Traditional Collective to Preserving the Living Pulse of Balinese Tradition
In Bali, art is not merely a form of performance, but a living pulse that grows from villages, banjar communities, and traditional sekaa. Amid the rapid pace of modern change, the presence of art studios becomes an essential space for ensuring that cultural heritage remains alive and uninterrupted. From this spirit, Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika emerges, rooted in village life and evolving as a space for artistic education that continues to grow, move, and sustain tradition.
Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika is a traditional Balinese dance and gamelan studio that grows from village-based sekaa traditions, with a primary focus on nurturing Balinese dance and strengthening the understanding of karawitan. The studio is guided by I Made Candra Pastika, S.Pd, an artist and art educator who graduated from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Denpasar, now known as the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Bali. The presence of this studio functions not only as a training space, but also as a center for arts education that instills discipline, ethics, and a deep appreciation of Balinese cultural values.
The roots of Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika began in 2017, initially as a simple village-based arts practice. The journey of the studio entered a significant phase in 2020, after its founder completed formal arts education and returned to the hometown, allowing the studio to develop in a more structured and sustainable manner.
Regular Training Session of Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika (Source: Private Collection)
The establishment of Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika was driven by concern over the lack of artistic regeneration within the village, particularly among male dancers. What began with approximately ten participants gradually grew as interest in traditional arts increased among younger generations.
The studio was founded with the purpose of reviving enthusiasm for learning Balinese arts and culture, introducing strong technical foundations in dance, and preserving village-based artistic traditions so they may be recognized more widely. Beyond technique, the studio also seeks to shape character, discipline, confidence, and ethical awareness through the arts.
Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika Performing Ngayah in the Village (Source: Private Collection)
In its training process, Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika applies a gradual and structured learning method. Balinese dance serves as the core discipline, with strong emphasis on mastering foundational techniques. Female students begin with Condong Dance, while male students study Baris Dance as a base for developing movement quality and character. The studio also introduces traditional dances from across the Indonesian archipelago according to performance needs, alongside Bebatelan gamelan and gending, ensuring that movement and musical accompaniment are understood as an inseparable unity.
To sustain students’ enthusiasm, learning extends beyond physical practice into theoretical instruction in dance creation. Students are guided to observe elements of nature such as flora and fauna, studying form, movement characteristics, and life processes, which are then developed into creative ideas and dance compositions. This approach allows artistic thinking to grow holistically and continuously.
Art Performance by Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika at the Bali Art Centre (Source: Private Collection)
Throughout its journey, Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika has participated in various cultural events. One notable achievement was the presentation of a choreographic work titled Ahangkara Ade Api at the provincial-level Art Center, addressing themes of environmental awareness and the consequences of ecological damage caused by irresponsible human actions.
The studio has also taken part in a mass dance performance during the inauguration of the All in One Mekepung Circuit in Jembrana Regency, involving thousands of dancers from multiple studios and schools. This moment became a meaningful collective experience and an important milestone in the studio’s artistic journey.
Participants of Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika in an Art Performance at the Bali Art Centre (Source: Private Collection)
Today, Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika accommodates dozens of active students, with regular training sessions held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. From its village roots, the studio continues to nurture and sustain the continuity of Balinese dance and gamelan traditions.
Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika stands as proof that tradition remains alive when nurtured with knowledge, dedication, and communal spirit. Emerging from village-based sekaa traditions, the studio remains committed to preserving the living pulse of Balinese culture amid the changing times.
Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika Wins 3rd Place in a Regency-Level Competition (Source: Private Collection)
As an open cultural space, Sanggar DikaSanthi Candra Pastika welcomes anyone who wishes to learn and join. Registration is conducted in a simple and accessible manner, aligned with the rhythms of village life.
Prospective participants may visit the studio directly in Banjar Sadnyasari, Ekasari Village, or obtain information through the available WhatsApp contact, the Sanggar Seni DikaSanthi Instagram account, and the studio’s official email.
