Embracing Indonesia’s Beauty at Monash Cultural Night: Can We Keep the Crown?
It has been a tradition for Monash University International Student Services (MUISS) to arrange an event to celebrate global traditions through performances and fashion. This year, Monash Cultural Night is back, and it is more magnificent than before. Representing Indonesia with pride, Monash’s PPI (Perhimpunan Pelajar Indonesia) took the stage once again, ready to amaze. Expectations were sky-high after their sweeping success last year, clinching three awards: ‘Best Performance’ and ‘Best Suppoerter’ for the performance, plus the prestigious ‘The Prince & Princess’ title for the fashion show. Tasked with the challenge to obtain the awards once again were Raissa and Nadhira–but did they succeeded in fulfilling this challenge?
This year, they came up with the concept of combining traditional and contemporary Indonesia. The performance opened with a theatrical potrayal of Indonesia’s struggle for independence. “Our performance was inspired by the indomitable spirit of Indonesia and the journey our nation took from enduring long periods of colonization to ultimately achieving independence,” Raissa explained. “We sought to honor and remember how our ancestors united to defend our land and reclaim our freedom.” (R. Nadhira, personal communication, 17 October 2024).
The commitment to authenticity and detail was striking, with each role carefully cast and meticulously costumed to convey Indonesia’s rich history. The actors passionately embodied Indonesian fighters in traditional sarung, signyifung resilience, while foreign soldiers wore formal attire to sharply contrast the oppressors with native heroes. “Innocent civilians, tragically caught in the crossfire of war, were portrayed by female performers wearing kebaya, caping, and kain, further emphasizing their vulnerability and the cultural richness of Indonesia’s past.” Nadhira shared, emphasizing the importance of traditional clothing in representing Indonesia’s cultural depth. (N. Sharma, personal communication, 8 October 2024).
As the story of independence drew to a close, the performance seamlessly transitioned into a mesmerizing series of traditional dances, capturing the essence of Indonesia’s vast cultural heritage. From the rhythmic Tari Kecak and graceful Tari Kipas to the joyous Tari Pendet, each dance was paired with a musical madley that brought Indonesian folk songs to life, including Lingsir Wengi, Cik-cik Periok, Sinanggar Tulo, Ayo Mama, Angin Mamiri, Lalo Ngaro, and Tandung Majeng.
When asked about the inspiration, both Raissa and Nadhira emphasised on the rich culture and diversity of Indonesia while adding their creativity and modification to the choreography. “Although much of our choreography was initially inspired by YouTube videos, we took creative liberties to add unique touches, ensuring our performance was both fresh and reflective of the Indonesian spirit.” said Nadhira. With the crowds already mesmerized, the final act turned up the energy, spotlighting Indonesia’s modern culture with a twist of patriotism. Sing-alongs to Sempurna by Andra and The Backbone and the iconic Gebyar-gebyar carried a powerful message of unity, capped off with a triumphant wave of the Indonesian flag and the powerful chant, “Merdeka!” (Free/Independent).
Crafting a performance of this scale, however, was no small feat. Raissa and Nadhira both express their struggle in the brainstorming process and managing more than 20 people for the performance, highlighting that this is their first ever experience of handling that much talents that has their own expectations and needs. “We wanted to ensure that the process didn’t feel like a burden to the team, but at the same time, we understood the importance of structure and accountability.” said Nadhira.
As if this wasn’t difficult enough, the PICs also faced the task of finding costumes for the fashion show just days before the event. “One of the more stressful parts was finding costumes for the models, especially since we booked them quite close to the event date. This experience taught us to be flexible and remain calm under pressure,” Raissa said. “Fortunately, the models had been practicing and perfecting their runway choreography well in advance and were very understanding during the fitting process.” Speaking about costume, the elegance of Java and Bali’s traditional attire was impossible to miss. With a striking palette of black, red, and gold and intricate patterns, the costumes shimmered, making a vibrant statement and holding the audience’s gaze throughout.
Now let’s get back to the ultimate question: did all the hard work from our PICs pay off? The answer is an absolute yes. Indonesia’s team proudly took home ‘The King’ title in the fashion show and ‘Best Cultural Representation’ for the performance. The room erupted in cheers and tears, and the Indonesian flag waved high on stage. “We were completely overwhelmed with emotion when the awards were announced that we looked at each other, and tears just started to fall.” said Raissa, “It was an incredible moment where all our hard work from the past month and a half truly paid off. We’re all so proud and beyond satisfied with what we accomplished at this year’s MCN.”
Nadhira also expressed heartfelt gratitude for everyone’s dedication. “Words can’t fully capture how proud and grateful I am for each and every performer and supporter. Your dedication and hard work truly made the impossible possible, and I cannot thank you all enough for that. You made this journey unforgettable, and I’m beyond appreciative of everything you’ve done!”
This year’s Monash Cultural Night was a heartfelt celebration and tribute to Indonesia’s journey and spirit. PPI Monash successfully honored the Indonesian heritage with pride and passion, making this year’s event one that will be cherished for years to come.