Said to be the most recent and longest version of the namesake dance piece, the performance lasted about one and a half hours, but the masterful choreography left no room for the audience, at least myself, to yawn or steal screen time except to write a few notes and take photos.

Kumolo Bumi (Gem of the Earth) is the work of choreographer Rury Nostalgia and is based on the Javanese literary work Menak Cina. Among the highlights of the book, linked all the way to an ancient Persian story, is the battle of two princesses: Adaninggar from China and Kelaswara from the kingdom of Kelan.

Senior actress and dancer Nungki Kusumastuti was cast as Adaninggar on the first day, kicking off Kumolo Bumi with an appearance alongside a group of female dancers who symbolize China. Dressed in a white top with long bell sleeves and tie-dye cloth in red with a white stripe, the part when Adaninggar dances represents a contemporary development of classical Javanese dance movements, which was refreshing.

As the scene changed, Kelaswara entered with her own group of female Javanese dancers, clad in velvety bottle green kebaya and batik cloth. They performed a classical Javanese dance sequence, comprising the signature slow, flowing movements that are strongly rooted to the ground as dancers are required to always bend their knees.

The constant flow of each slow move and every dancer’s determination to go through every small detail of the movement is the quality that defines Padneçwara as one of Indonesia’s leading dance companies.

Sequences that involve male dancers are also a sight to behold. The dancers were rooted strongly to the ground as they took big steps around the stage, or slid smoothly, shifting the weight of their bodies with knees alternately on the floor.

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