The Dance Education Study Program of the Faculty of Languages and Arts, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), organized the 2025 Kalatara UNNES National Student Dance Competition. The event carried the theme “CITRAGATI RASA,” meaning “the imagery of meaningful movement,” which interprets the fighting spirit of women in preserving dignity and independence.
This national-level student dance competition served not only as a platform for artistic competition but also as a space for expression and reflection on women’s struggles, embodied through the dance work Nala Phala Serang, inspired by the national heroine Nyi Ageng Serang.
The spirit of the event aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender Equality, which emphasizes the importance of empowering and strengthening women’s roles in social and cultural life. As a state university, UNNES is committed to supporting the achievement of the SDGs, particularly in promoting gender equality, quality education, and cultural preservation.
The Coordinator of the Dance Education Study Program, Dr. Eny Kusumastuti, stated that the competition was designed to foster students’ appreciation for the arts while also serving as a platform for the younger generation to explore and convey women’s struggles through original, creative, and meaningful dance works.
In its first year, the Kalatara UNNES National Student Dance Competition attracted participants from both public and private universities, including Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta, Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, Universitas Bhamada Slawi, Universitas Negeri Malang, Universitas Negeri Padang, Poltekkes Kemenkes Surakarta, ISBI Bandung, and Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa.
The competition was held online, with each participant submitting a video of their dance performance based on material determined by the committee. The judging process took place from September 24 to 26, assessing aspects such as wiraga (movement mastery), wirama (rhythmic harmony), wirasa (emotional expression), and overall performance. On September 30, the panel of judges, Ryndu Puspita Lokanantasari, S.Sn., M.Sn.; Endik Guntaris, S.Pd., M.Pd.; and Rimasari Pramesthi Putri, S.Pd., M.Pd., announced the three best performances.
First place was awarded to BKKT from Universitas Sebelas Maret Surakarta, second place to Cakrawidya from Universitas Negeri Malang, and third place to Ilma Sahwahita from Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa. During the announcement session held via Zoom, the three judges also provided evaluations and feedback for the participants. They emphasized the importance of maintaining performance quality in group choreography, as the competition focused on group, not solo, dances. Each team was encouraged to harmonize their techniques and movements, as well as to build a sense of unity by setting aside individual egos.
Thorough practice was highlighted as essential, since the judges could easily distinguish between groups that practiced diligently and those that did not. Additionally, sensitivity to rhythm and the ability to interpret the dance material presented were considered crucial aspects in the judging process.
The chair of the committee, Ibu Sestri Indah Pebrianti, S.Pd., M.A., extended congratulations to the winners and appreciation to all participants of Kalatara UNNES 2025. “We hope that this achievement will serve as motivation to continue creating, innovating, and contributing to the development of art and culture,” Bu Sestri said.
With the spirit of collaboration between art, education, and the values of women’s struggle, Kalatara UNNES 2025 is expected to bring meaningful impact and inspiration in advancing gender equality through the art of dance performance.
Translated by Dafele Arozal/Student Staff FBS UNNES
