The Student Activity Unit (Unit Kegiatan Mahasiswa/UKM) Kalimasada of UIN Sunan Kalijaga once again held its annual Gladhi Warga 2026 performance on Saturday (20/6) at the UIN Sunan Kalijaga Student Centre (Gelanggang Mahasiswa). Carrying the theme "Mala-Lingsir: Menuju Ruang yang Hidup" (Mala-Lingsir: Towards a Living Space), this annual event serves as a platform for prospective new members of UKM Kalimasada to express themselves through a range of Javanese performing arts and cultural presentations, encompassing traditional dance, gamelan music, and shadow puppetry.

The theme Mala-Lingsir reflects the continuous movement of time: giving birth to new life while accompanying that which has entered the phase of lingsir, or twilight. Through this theme, Gladhi Warga transcends its role as a mere performance stage, becoming instead a space for reflection, one that seeks to revive cultural values rooted in tradition and spirituality.

In the narrative read aloud during the performance, Gladhi Warga was described as an act of cultural struggle to nurture and reawaken the spirit of culture amid the challenges of the modern age.

“Like the process of planting, where growth cannot be forced, it is in a plant's very nature to rise of its own accord toward the light. The task at hand is none other than to prepare the space for that growth: to weed out what hinders, to clear the stones that obstruct the roots, and to drive away the pests that cause harm. In time, the seeds will grow and come to life, bloom and flourish, and fill the earth with their fragrance,” read a passage from the performance's narrative.

The Chairperson of the Gladhi Warga 2026 Committee, Robat Jihan Muammar, shared that student interest in Javanese arts and culture has seen a most encouraging rise, as evidenced by the number of new member registrations for UKM Kalimasada UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta reaching 98 participants.

“This year, we have succeeded in inspiring UIN Sunan Kalijaga students to show extraordinary enthusiasm for Javanese arts and culture, with new member registrations reaching 98 people. This is not merely a number, it is tangible proof that there remains a generation of young people who hold a deep love for Javanese culture, and that is something truly worthy of appreciation,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Faculty Advisor of UKM Kalimasada, Muhammad Bagus Febriyanto, M.Hum., affirmed that Gladhi Warga forms part of a learning process that extends beyond artistic skill-building to encompass character formation and an understanding of the values embedded in Javanese culture.

“To our prospective members who tonight will demonstrate the sincerity of their dedication in their journey to become full members of UKM Kalimasada, we hope that all 98 of you will continue to grow and thrive within the Kalimasada family. Our hope is that those performing tonight will remain a part of UKM Kalimasada and will not stop halfway,” he said.

He further emphasised the importance of grasping the philosophical values contained within each form of Javanese art.

“Please study not only the techniques of playing the gamelan, dancing, or puppetry, but also the values embedded within Javanese cultural arts. In doing so, members of UKM Kalimasada can become role models; not only in the arts, but also in embodying good Javanese moral and ethical character,” he added.

The 2026 Gladhi Warga performance showcased a rich array of traditional artistic works that captivated the audience, including the classical Solo dance Kusuma Asri, Ladrang Wilujeng laras pelog pathet limo, Ketawang Ilir-Ilir laras pelog pathet nem, the creative dance Rancak Kenes, the classical Yogyakarta dance Puspowarno, Lancaran Gugur Gunung laras pelog pathet barang, the creative dance Edan-Edanan, and a shadow puppet performance (wayang) presenting the story Sesaji Raja Surya.

This series of performances stands as testament to UKM Kalimasada's commitment to preserving, developing, and introducing the richness of Javanese arts and culture to the younger generation. Beyond serving as a vehicle for creative expression, the event also functions as an educational medium that instils local wisdom in students.

With the support of advisors, alumni, and the academic community of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, the 2026 Gladhi Warga performance is hoped to strengthen the role of the arts as a means of recreation, reflection, and character education, while also representing a concrete step in the preservation of Javanese arts and culture within the higher education environment and among the younger generation, particularly at UIN Sunan Kalijaga, an institution that has always held culture close to its heart. (humassk)