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Joged Bumbung Takes the Stage on a Cruise Ship, Reflecting Meli Astini’s Love for Bali’s Traditional Dance

• 13 Maret 2026
• Ingenuity
• Singaraja

BULELENG, NETIZENBALI.COM – A deep passion for Balinese dance has flowed through Putu Meli Astini since an early age. The woman from Kaliasem village in the Lovina area, Banjar district, Buleleng regency, began immersing herself in the world of dance at just five years old, encouraged by her mother who instilled in her a strong appreciation for Balinese arts and culture.

From childhood, Meli Astini was known for her dedication to practicing dance. She took part in numerous training sessions and studied each movement with discipline and persistence. Her commitment eventually led her to participate in various dance competitions, where she earned several achievements. To this day, dance remains an important part of her life.

As the first and only child, Meli grew up living with her mother. Yet this circumstance never diminished her determination. Instead, her love for dance became a powerful motivation to keep creating while also serving as a means to support her livelihood.

At the age of 18, Meli began focusing on Joged Bumbung, one of Bali’s traditional entertainment dances known for its lively interaction with the audience. She initially performed at various entertainment venues, including hotels and special events. From these stages, she gradually built her career while earning a living through her art.

Although she now also works in the hospitality sector, Meli has never left the world of dance behind. For her, dancing is not merely a hobby but a calling of the heart.

“In my opinion, Joged is a cultural art form that must be preserved. Many people view Joged negatively, but when performed according to its traditional rules, it holds very high artistic value,” she said, as quoted from the Facebook account Tut Dikha Panji.

Throughout her learning process, Meli has always trained with great dedication. She studied every rhythm of the gamelan and carefully followed the movements taught by her dance teachers. Although she had learned various other Balinese dances, she eventually chose to focus on Joged Bumbung because it offers wide creative space as well as promising career opportunities.

In a typical Joged Bumbung performance, the show usually begins with a Balinese dance as an opening before entering the geguyonan segment, where the dancer interacts playfully with the audience. This is the unique charm of Joged Bumbung—entertaining the crowd while still adhering to the traditional rules and artistic standards of Balinese culture.

Her understanding of the dance deepened further after she joined Sekaa Joged Wahyu Ulangun in Buleleng. Through this group, she continued to explore the authentic Joged style while helping restore the dance’s positive image in society.

One of the most memorable moments in her career came when she had the opportunity to perform on an international cruise ship. On that occasion, she performed Joged Bumbung in front of around 1,200 passengers from various countries.

“I felt incredibly proud dancing in full Balinese costume in front of thousands of international guests. They were very enthusiastic and gave thunderous applause. It was an unforgettable experience,” she recalled.

However, her journey as a Joged dancer has not always been easy. One of the biggest challenges she faces is the lingering misconception among some members of the public who view Joged Bumbung in a negative light.

Nevertheless, the presence of Sekaa Wahyu Ulangun in Buleleng has become part of an effort to educate the public that Joged does not necessarily carry a negative image. When performed politely and in accordance with its traditional rules, Joged can become a beautiful and proud form of entertainment.

Today, Joged Bumbung continues to grow in popularity and is increasingly appreciated by various groups, from young people to older generations. Its rising popularity presents both opportunities and challenges for artists to maintain the quality and cultural values of the dance.

For Meli Astini, preserving the dignity of the art form is paramount. She always strives to present Joged respectfully, adhering to traditional standards while honoring Balinese customs and culture.

She also takes pride in the fact that she has not only performed on national stages but has also introduced Balinese cultural arts to an international audience.

Looking ahead, Meli hopes more young people will become interested in learning the authentic form of Joged Bumbung. According to her, besides preserving cultural heritage, the arts can also open doors for a future career.

“I hope more young people will love authentic Joged and not damage the image of Balinese cultural arts. Through art, we can not only preserve culture but also build our future,” she concluded. (NB/ *)