The sound of the angklung (a traditional bamboo instrument) carried the name of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP), the women's association of the university's staff families, to three awards at the Srawung Kampung Bumen Festival on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The DWP UIN Sunan Kalijaga angklung group, Suka Mentari, won Second Place Overall Champion, First Place for Best Costume, and Third Place for Neatness and Cohesion.

The achievement is a special one for Suka Mentari, which is still a relatively new angklung group. Despite its short history, DWP UIN Sunan Kalijaga members have kept practicing actively and performing on many occasions, both at internal DWP events and in public spaces.

DWP UIN Sunan Kalijaga Chair Prof. Euis Nurlaelawati said the members' enthusiasm is one of the strengths that keep the group growing. In her view, members do not only practice for DWP events but also have the courage to take Suka Mentari to stages outside campus, including a performance at Mall Gardena.

"Although this DWP angklung group, which we named Angklung DWP Suka Mentari, was established not long ago, its members are enthusiastic about joining all kinds of performances, both at DWP events and elsewhere," Prof. Euis said.

Taking part in the Srawung Kampung Bumen Festival was another experience that tested the team's cohesion. At the festival, the group entered an angklung competition with prizes from the Tourism Office.

"Winning in these three categories is thanks to the commitment and seriousness of the whole team, and of course our trainer," she said.

More than a competition result, Suka Mentari was created as a space for DWP members to express themselves through art. The angklung brings members together in a single rhythm, requiring each person to play their part, listen to one another, and keep the performance in harmony.

"This angklung group was established to give DWP members a place to actualize themselves in the arts and to keep collaborating in a beautiful rhythm," Prof. Euis said.

The three awards at the Srawung Kampung Bumen Festival show that artistic activities within UIN Sunan Kalijaga's DWP can grow beyond internal events. Suka Mentari is beginning to find its place as an arts group that brings together creativity, togetherness, and the courage to perform before the public. (humassk)