Puppetry Study Program

PUPPETRY

Study Program

Description

The Puppetry Study Program is one of the flagship study programs at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Bali, playing a strategic role in preserving and developing the tradition of wayang arts as a cultural heritage of the Indonesian archipelago. By leveraging the richness of tradition, socio-cultural dynamics, and Bali’s position as a global center for arts and tourism, this study program serves as an academic platform that is not only oriented towards preservation but also innovation and advancement of wayang arts at local, national, and international levels. The following are the main aspects that describe the existence and development of the Puppetry Study Program at ISI Bali:

The Puppetry Study Program at ISI Bali holds a strategic role in developing wayang arts in Bali’s cultural center with a global perspective. Balinese wayang arts, which are widely recognized nationally and internationally, constitute an important asset for this program. Wayang arts are deeply embedded in the religious life of Balinese society, serving both as religious rituals and as an aesthetic medium through music, vocal performance, language, and visual arts. In Bali’s tourism sector, wayang performances serve as a major attraction and a means of promoting culture at the international level.

The Puppetry Study Program is managed effectively, with democratic, transparent, and accountable governance. The program also collaborates closely with ISI Bali’s quality assurance unit to ensure continuous quality improvement. Support from an online academic information system and competent human resources, such as lecturers, laboratory assistants, and administrative staff, are key to the successful management of this study program.

VISION

By 2025, it aims to become a center of academic creativity and development for traditional Wayang/Wayang Arts theater, striving toward superior quality.

MISSION

Enhance the quality and learning process based on research in traditional Wayang/Wayang Arts theater to produce qualified human resources as scholars and creators in Wayang arts.
Develop the academic mission in the field of traditional Wayang/Wayang Arts theater to extend across educational institutions, relevant agencies, and even across countries and nations.
Study Wayang arts as a theoretical framework for building in-depth analysis, knowledge, and specialized skills in the field of Wayang.
Track, explore, formulate, test, and generate aesthetic concepts, artistic methods, scientific knowledge, and theories about Wayang that fulfill the requirements of ontology, epistemology, and axiology.
Apply valid local wisdom-based art creation theories to the study and creation of Wayang artworks.
Foster a healthy academic atmosphere characterized by honesty, discipline, fairness, and responsibility in accordance with applicable rules and norms.
Conduct community service by enhancing program relevance to the needs of stakeholders both domestically and internationally, aligned with the goals of the Puppetry Study Program, optimizing the inspiration from ‘natural artist sparks’ as a reference for specialized arts education that reinforces originality of character and identity.
Apply accurate and valid theories of art creation and art studies derived from local wisdom into academic aesthetic creativity by optimizing available resources.
Nurture a healthy, ethical, and fair academic life while collectively promoting open compliance with applicable rules and norms.
Continuously improve the quality of human resources by providing alternative education and training (entrepreneurship) to students, enabling them to seize local, national, and global job market opportunities.

Organizational Structure

STUDY PROGRAM COORDINATOR

I Gusti Ngurah Gumana Putra, S.S., M.Hum

LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

Ni Nyoman Nik Suasti, S.Sn

STUDY PROGRAM STAFF

Ni Luh Putu Bonytha Purwaningrat, S.S

LECTURER

Graduate Profile

Referring to the vision of the Puppetry Arts Study Program, seven graduate profiles have been formulated. Graduates are expected to pursue careers as professional puppeteers, researchers, educators, entrepreneurs, cultural advocates, literary writers, and multitalented artists.

Professional Puppeteer (Dalang)

Able to work as a professional puppeteer in companies, independent enterprises, and community service.

Entrepreneur

Able to work as a performing arts stage manager and as a business owner in wayang-themed crafts.

Researcher

Able to work as a researcher with skills in both traditional and digital creation, aligned with the needs of the performing arts industry, particularly puppetry.

Kawi Literary Writer

Able to work as a pangawi (writer of literary works), with an understanding of cultural, historical, business, and production aspects of puppetry arts.

Teacher and Lecturer

Able to serve as an academic, both as a teacher and lecturer in formal and non-formal educational institutions.

Multitalented Artist

Able to work across multiple art forms—Balinese dance, traditional gamelan/karawitan, gender wayang, carving and painting of wayang figures, visual arts, traditional Balinese drama, as well as in roles such as journalist, critic, or curator—equipped with knowledge of the puppetry industry.

Cultural and Arts Advocate

Able to work as an art illustrator using manual or digital techniques, as well as a critic of arts and culture.

LECTURER

Puppetry Study Program

Dru Hendro, S.Sen., M.Si.

Dru Hendro, S.Sen., M.Si., was born in Sukoharjo on July 21, 1964. As a lecturer in the Puppetry Arts Program at ISI Bali, he completed his bachelor’s degree in Puppetry Arts at STSI Surakarta and continued his master’s studies in Cultural Studies at Udayana University. He has produced various artistic works, including the compact pakeliran Suryatmaja – Surtikanthi and Sang Guru Sejati.

His academic contributions in teaching, research, and community service are also reflected in his study on the Meaning of the Ruwatan Wayang Cupak and his books such as The Ceng Blonk Wayang Performance in the Pandemic Era. In addition, he is active in arts development, particularly in the Ngeksigondo Denpasar community, and has received the Satya Lancana Karya Satya XX Years award from the President of the Republic of Indonesia.

Hanolda Gema Akbar M.Sn

Hanolda Gema Akbar, M.Sn., was born in Karanganyar on August 16, 1995. He is a lecturer who began teaching at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Denpasar in 2025, which has since become ISI Bali. He completed his master’s degree (S2) in the Arts, with a concentration in Arts Studies, at ISI Surakarta in 2018.

Although he serves as a permanent lecturer in the Puppetry Arts Study Program, he has also taught across different faculties at ISI Bali. He has participated in various forms of writing, including school-level textbooks and academic works. Among them are Anthropology for Grade XI and XII (2023), published by PT Merdeka Belajar Plus; Basics of Broadcasting and Film for Grade X (2022), published by CV Media Karya Putra; and The Creativity of Ari Wulu as a DJ in EDM (Electronic Dance Music) (2018).

I Bagus Wijna Bratanatyam

I Bagus Wijna Bratanatyam, born on April 18, 1989, in Sukawati, Bali, earned his Master of Arts degree (S2) from the Graduate Program in Arts at ISI Denpasar in 2013. His area of expertise is Puppetry Arts.

He achieved first place in the 2013 Bali-wide Parwa Shadow Puppet Festival. Over the past ten years, he has frequently performed as a dalang (puppeteer) and narrator in large-scale productions at regional and national arts festivals.

His research experience includes “Characterization of Anoman in the Sukawati-Style Ramayana Shadow Puppet Tradition” (2017). He created the shadow-theater production “Garuda Mahawira” at the Nusa Tenggara Barat Cultural Park (2024). His community service activities include the Reconstruction of Wayang Wong Pesalakan in Pejeng (2024).

He has written articles for various national journals and actively offers commentary on performing arts events through opinion columns in mass media.

Dr. I Dewa Ketut Wicaksana, SSP., M.Hum.

Dr. I Dewa Ketut Wicaksana, SSP., M.Hum., is a lecturer in the Puppetry Arts Study Program with a strong academic, managerial, and artistic track record. Born on January 22, 1964, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Puppetry Arts from STSI Denpasar, a Master of Humanities from Gadjah Mada University, and a doctorate from the State Hindu Dharma Institute (IHDN) Denpasar.

His expertise includes puppetry knowledge, puppetry literature, and puppetry criticism. He is active in research and the writing of textbooks, including works on shadow puppetry, the philosophy of art, and literary traditions.

In addition, his experience—from serving as Head of Department to becoming the Rector of the Indonesian Institute of Arts and Culture (ISBI) Tanah Papua—demonstrates strong dedication and leadership in the development of arts and education. His commitment to mentoring students and his contributions to professional organizations such as PEPADI further highlight his vital role in preserving and advancing puppetry arts in Indonesia.

I Dewa Ketut Wicaksandita, S.Sn., M.Sn.

I Dewa Ketut Wicaksandita, S.Sn., M.Sn., was born in Seleman on March 20, 1995. He is a lecturer in the Puppetry Arts Study Program. He holds both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ISI Bali, with academic interests in performing arts studies and Hindu aesthetics.

His research focuses on the study and development of Balinese shadow puppetry (wayang kulit Bali), particularly its philosophical, textual, and ritual dimensions. Several of his research works have been published in nationally indexed journals such as Jurnal Panggung, Jurnal Penelitian Agama Hindu, and Jurnal Damar Pedalangan.

In addition to his academic work, he is also a practitioner of wayang parwa and Balinese Ramayana puppetry. His scholarly contributions reflect a strong commitment to an interdisciplinary approach that integrates philology, cultural studies, and performance analysis, while his practice as a dalang enriches his research with authentic artistic insight.

I Gusti Ngurah Gumana Putra, S.S., M.Hum.

I Gusti Ngurah Gumana Putra, S.S., M.Hum. Merupakan seorang dosen di Program Studi Seni Pedalangan sejak April 2015. Pendidikan yang telah ditempuh yakni Sarjana pada Jurusan Sastra Daerah Fakultas Sastra Universitas Udayana pada 2005 dan lulus pada 2009, kemudian pada 2011 melanjutkan pendidikan di Program Magister Universitas Udayana dengan konsentrasi bidang ilmu Linguistik Murni dan lulus pada 2014. Fokus bidang ilmu selama menjadi pengajar di Prodi Seni Pedalangan berkaitan dengan Bahasa dan Sastra. Selama menjadi pengajar dia melaksanakan beberapa penelitian yang berkaitan dengan kombinasi antara seni Pedalangan dengan bahasa. Adapun beberapa penelitian tersebut adalah tentang Aneka Rupa Retorika dalam Pertunjukan Wayang Cenk Blonk.

I Kadek Widnyana, SSP., M.Si.

Born in Selisihan, Klungkung, on December 27, 1966. He completed his Master’s degree in Cultural Studies at Udayana University, Denpasar, in 2006, and is currently pursuing a Doctoral Program in the Arts at ISI Bali (since 2023). He holds the functional position of Associate Professor (Lektor Kepala) and currently serves as Vice Dean III of the Faculty of Performing Arts (FSP) at ISI Bali.

Awards:
Certificate of Competency in Performing Arts, No. 90021 2659 0 0004204 2024, dated September 19, 2024. Satya Lencana Karya Satyanugraha XXX (2025)

Works:
Innovative Wayang Production as an Educational Medium for Covid-19 Prevention: “Sang Kala Corona”, ISI Denpasar (2021). Director of the Monologue Drama “Nan Bebek” for the Bulan Menari program, Dance Department, ISI Denpasar (2023). Lekesan Vol. 7 No. 1 (2024): “Innovation of Wayang Performance Through Cinema and Theater Techniques as New Media”. Proceeding of Bali Dwipantara Waskita: “Nature as a Creative Force in Art”, Vol. 4 (2024). Proceedings of Bali Bhuwana Waskita: Global Art and Creativity Conference 2024, Volume 4, pp. 120–127: “The Existence of Nginang as a Social and Theological Study of Puppetry in Bali”

Dr. I Ketut Sudiana, S.Sn., M.Sn.

Born in Sukawati on March 29, 1970. He completed his Doctorate in Artistic Creation at ISI Denpasar in 2022, specializing in Puppetry Arts (Pedalangan) under the Puppetry Arts Study Program. He holds the functional rank of Lecturer (Lektor).

Awards: Digital Literacy Certificate for Government ASN “Makin Cakap Digital” from the Directorate of Informatics, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, March 27, 2024. Wija Kusuma Madya Award from the Gianyar Regency Government, April 19, 2023

Works and Contributions: Creator of the dance-drama and wayang (Sendratawa) production Grenyem Leak (2010, ISI Denpasar DIPA). Creator of the innovative wayang theater work Korawa Dharma (2016). Presenter at the International Seminar of the Doctorate Arts Program, ISI Denpasar (2018). Presenter at the International Seminar and Exhibition “Art, Cross Culture, and Collaboration” (2019). Creator of the artistic work Wayang Wahya Kelir Tanpa Batas (2022)

Dr. I Made Marajaya, SSP.,M.Si

Research: 1. Cenk Blonk Shadow Puppet Performances as a Medium for Disseminating Government Programs in the Era of Globalization (2013). 2. The Meaning of the Ruwatan Wayang Cupak of Dalang I Wayan Suaji (2020) 3. Cenk Blonk Shadow Puppet Performances as a Medium for Covid-19 Public Awareness Campaigns (2021) 4. The Structure of the Setubanda Story in the Wayang Wong Performances at Griya Jelantik Delod Pasar Sanur Kauh

Scholarly Works: 1. Actualisation of Pewayangan Values in Bali (2024) 2. Wayang Cenk Blonk in Development (2024) 3. Wayang Parwa in the Bebadungan Style (2025) 4. Embodying the Living Corpse: Intermedial Adaptation in Balinese “Calonarang” Shadow Theatre (2025)

Dr. I Made Sidia, SSP., M.Sn

Born in Bona Kelod on March 16, 1967, he completed his Doctorate at ISI Bali in 2025 in Artistic Creation specializing in Puppetry Arts (Pedalangan). He holds the functional position of Associate Professor (Lektor Kepala). His achievements include serving as choreographer for the Indonesian Cultural Arts Performance in Dubai (2022) and in China (2022), as well as receiving the Dharma Kusuma Award from the Governor of Bali in 2024. His works include the internationally published Brand New Balinese Water Puppetry “The Floating Subadra” (2021), The Balinese Traditional Performance as a Media to Establish Identity and Strengthen Children’s Talents in the Middle of Global Disruption (2021), a national journal study titled Study of Sukawati-Style Wayang Movements by Dalang Suwija (2021), and the international journal article The Ideology of the Creation of the Peteng Bulan Dance for Early Childhood (2022). He also holds intellectual property rights for the dance work “Bale Agung” (Registration No. EC00202132723, July 12, 2021; Record No. 000260683). In addition to academic and artistic creations, he has authored several books, including The Culinary History of Gianyar (2019), The Weaving History of Gianyar (2019), and Triyantra Murti (2025).

Ni Komang Sekar Marhaeni, SSP., M.Si

Ni Komang Sekar Marhaeni, SSP., M.Si., was born in Abiankapas Kaja on September 30, 1965. As a Lecturer in the Puppetry Arts Study Program, she has a strong academic background, having earned a Bachelor of Puppetry Arts from the Indonesian College of the Arts Denpasar and a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies from Udayana University. Her expertise includes vocal performance, Balinese tetembangan, and core narrative knowledge, with a deep focus on traditional Balinese puppetry and puppet movement. She has contributed to the field through various innovative works, including the Stri Wiweka wayang theater and research on Cenk Blonk puppetry. Her dedication to preserving puppetry arts is also reflected in her role as a judge in numerous arts festivals and macapat singing competitions. Her academic and artistic contributions make her an important figure in the development of traditional performing arts.

Sang Nyoman Gede Adhi Santika, M.Sn

Born in Denpasar on March 2, 1995, he is a lecturer in the Puppetry Arts Study Program at ISI Bali. Known as Sangoman Gede, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Puppetry Arts and a Master’s degree in Artistic Creation and Arts Studies. As a lecturer, he focuses on creative work, particularly in the field of performing arts. Some of his notable works include serving as the choreographer for the performance “Sangkan Paran Paraga” (Raga–Paraga–Tari), presented at the Bali Sangga Dwipantara IV event in 2024. He has also worked as the artistic director for Taman Penasar, and as a vocal arranger for various teasers at both local and international events, including performing as a vocalist/puppeteer in the Bali Special Project at the international music festival Soundrenaline. He is active as a performing arts practitioner in traditions such as Topeng and Arja, and he continues to engage in research and publish scientific works in various accredited academic journals.

Dr. I Ketut Kodi, SSP., M.Si

Dr. I Ketut Kodi, SSP., M.Si., is a masked dance artist, mask maker, puppeteer, and lecturer in the Puppetry Arts Study Program at ISI Bali, where he has taught since 1988. He completed his Bachelor’s degree at ASTI in 1988, followed by a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies at Udayana University in 2006, and a Doctorate in Cultural Studies at the same university in 2022. Throughout his career, he has produced numerous performing arts works staged at regional, national, and international levels, secured intellectual property rights, published scholarly articles in national journals, and authored books on Balinese arts and culture. He is also active in arts forums, frequently contributing as a speaker. He has received several honors, including the Wija Kesuma Award in 2000, the Satya Lencana XXX in 2022, and the Dharma Kesuma Award in 2025.

Ni Luh Ayu Cempaka Dewi, S.S., M.Hum

Ni Luh Ayu Cempaka Dewi, S.S., M.Hum., was born in Denpasar on February 5, 1986, and resides on Jalan Tukad Pakerisan, Panjer, Denpasar. She completed her Master’s degree in Translation Studies at Udayana University and currently serves as an English lecturer at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Bali, with her home base in the Puppetry Arts Study Program. In her academic career, she has received the Adhyapaka Nata Kerthi Nugraha award as an Outstanding Non-Civil Servant Lecturer for two consecutive years (2023 and 2024). Her research focuses on translation studies and English-language dance drama, contributing significantly to the development of arts scholarship at ISI Bali.