The classic legend of Calon Arang from Java and Bali, long associated with a black-and-white tale of the evil of witchcraft, has returned in a different form. EKI Dance Company is attempting to break through that stigma through its production of the Musical "Calon Arang".

The performance was held at Graha Bhakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Jakarta, from 17–20 September 2026. In the premiere held on Thursday evening, 17 September 2026, the production combined Balinese folklore with dance, music, stage design, and visual technology, involving more than 150 creative talents.

The performance also formed part of the celebration of EKI Dance Company’s 30-year journey in developing Indonesian musical performing arts.

Photo: Kemenekraf
EKI Dance Company was founded in 1996 in Jakarta by Rusdy Rukmarata and Aiko Senosoenoto. Over three decades, EKI Dance Company has produced a number of dance works and dozens of musical performances, and has brought Indonesian works and talents to various international festival stages.

“The Graha Bhakti Budaya (GBB) building holds special meaning for EKI Dance Company as it was the first performance venue where we staged the musical Madam Dasima in 2000,” said Aiko Senosoenoto in remarks delivered via video before the premiere.

“Today, the second generation of EKI Dance Company has begun to lead after the late mas Rusdy passed away, but the enthusiasm and spirit remain the same: to develop Indonesian art so that it becomes more globally recognized and more of a source of pride for everyone. Thank you for attending the performance of the Legend of Calon Arang and enjoy the show!,” she continued.

The Calon Arang production, directed by Ara Ajisiwi, combines folklore, dance, music, stage design, and visual technology to bring back the richness of Nusantara culture in a form of work relevant to today’s society.

Photo: Jakartakita.com/Henry
The main talents involved in the Musical Calon Arang include Ara Ajisiwi as Calon Arang, Nala Amrytha as Ratna Manggali, Gabriel Harvianto as Barada, Gerry Gerardo as Bahula, and Sita Nursanti (Sita RSD) as Dewi Durga.

The production process also involved the cast ensemble, dancers, choreographers, musicians, artistic directors, stage designers, costume designers, lighting designers, sound designers, multimedia teams, as well as production staff and performance management. The involvement of these various professions demonstrates the value chain within the creative economy ecosystem of the performing arts subsector.

The performance was supported by a musical arrangement by Oni Krisnerwinto, blending gamelan sounds with modern Western instruments. The music served to regulate the tempo of the dialogue and songs, including when Sita appeared as the incarnation of Dewi Durga.

With the main stage decoration designed to remain static, the visual limitations of the space were overcome through the use of portable digital screens that could be moved dynamically.

Photo: Jakartakita.com/Henry
On the second day of the performance, Friday, 18 September 2026, Deputy Minister of Creative Economy/Deputy Head of the Creative Economy Agency (Wamen Ekraf), Irene Umar, also attended the Musical Calon Arang.

She expressed her appreciation for the Musical Calon Arang production by EKI Dance Company, which brings a Balinese folk legend into the performing arts with a touch of modern visual technology and interactive dialogue.

“This Musical Calon Arang transforms a legend into a very distinctive performing art. It is a culture-based performing art with a local concept that is relevant across generations and can go global. Indonesian musical theatre must continue to be developed for international stages, and everyone in the world must see works like this,” said Irene Umar, as quoted from a press release by the Ministry of Creative Economy (Kemenekraf).

In addition to producing performances, EKI Dance Company is also the initiator of the Indonesian Musical Festival (FMI), which enters its fifth year in 2026. The festival is scheduled to take place at TIM from 26–29 November 2026. (Henry)

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