(Photo: Taken at Padepokan Seni Topeng Asmorobangun)
The Tari Topeng Arts Certification Programme that was organised from 15 June to 12 July 2025 was definitely a core memory for me. As the residency took place in Malang, Indonesia, not only did we get the chance to learn the dance form, we also got to immerse ourselves in Tari Topeng Malang rehearsals with the locals and watch LIVE performances, and got to know even closer the Javanese culture, history and way of life of the people in that region as well.
(Photo: Associate Professor of Archaeology Pak Luthfi Ismail conducting a theory lesson on Tari Topeng Malang)
We started the first week diving into the history and theory of Topengan Malang and a little bit about Panji tales, or traditional Javanese stories, and how they were shared and/ or performed.
(Photo: Pak Luthfi Ismail in front of Candi Jago)
(Photo: Taken at Candi Jago)
(Photo: Getting an exclusive tour up Candi Jago, even when it’s off-limits to the public)
(Photo: Analysing the carvings on the temple body)
(Photo: Residency dancers and Pak Luthfi at the top of Candi Penataran)
(Photo: Learning about Hindu Monkey God Hanuman through the carvings on Candi Penataran)
(Photo: Carvings on Candi Penataran)
(Photo: Residency dancers at Candi Penataran)
We visited Candi Jago and Candi Penataran where Associate Professor of Archaeology, Pak Luthfi Ismail, generously shared his knowledge, findings and analysis of the stories in the carvings found on these temples. This made me understand and appreciate the intricate beauty of these temples even more now that I am more informed of the timeless and educational stories that they have carried over centuries.
(Photo: Residency dancers posing like Topeng mannequins at Museum Panji)
(Photo: Museum guide sharing about Panji tales and tools of sharing these tales)
(Photo: Topeng section of Museum Panji)
(Photo: Residency dancers wearing the Udeng, a traditional Javanese headpiece)
We also visited Museum Panji where we learnt about the different methods that the Panji tales, or traditional Javanese stories, were shared through performances like Tari Topeng and through different forms of puppetry over the years. Here, we also heard mentions of “Tumasik” in the history of kingdoms, and it left a bittersweet feeling in my heart. While I was excited and proud that our island of Singapore (formerly known as Tumasik), was part of an even longer history of kingdoms connected to this part of the world, it also made me a little sad that I had to learn about my home in another country instead.
(Photo: Artefact in Universitas Negeri Malang with “Tumasik” mentioned)
This visit has definitely added more purpose to my endeavour as the Head of Dance & Movement in Opera Academy, as we are currently researching and staging Bangsawan productions relating to the 5 Kings that used to rule Singapore too. It also makes the historical stories we’ve found even more “real” now that we get to make cross references to these historical archives as well.
(Photo: Dance instructor Ibu Ika giving personalised notes about each dancer’s progress)
(Photo: Group photo with teaching assistant, Mbak Lina)
(Photo: Putting on the mask for the first time in class)
(Photo: Creating our own digital handbook of the “Grebeg Sabrang” choreography)
(Photo: Learning the names of costume pieces and how to put them on)
After an enriching and insightful week of theory lessons and visits, we spent the remaining 3 weeks learning the topeng dances of 2 characters, “Sabrang” and “Bapang”. The “Sabrang” masks come in different colours, each symbolising a different character trait and “Bapang” is easily recognisable by its long nose. The “Grebeg Sabrang” dance varies in dynamics and illustrates the preparation for war, explaining the high energy in the movements. The “Bapang” character is more mischievous, and this trait can be seen clearly in the posture and mannerisms of the body and head. The sense of mischief can also even be seen in the costuming where the headgear is worn front side back!
(Photo: Sabrang mask and costume)
(Photo: Bapang mask)
The movement vocabulary and motifs between these 2 antagonist characters are quite similar. However, the main challenge doing “Grebeg Sabrang” for me was stamina and memorisation of many steps. Meanwhile, the main challenge for “Tari Bapang” was leg strength, characterisation and attention to musicality. It was also a challenge for me to dance with the mask the first time, and I simply could not remember the choreography at all. I was frustrated with myself but our dance teacher, Ibu Ika, helped to identify that my fear of the dark could have affected my focus while dancing as well. So I kept practising with the mask on to get used to the limited vision that it allowed.
(Photo: Wearing “Bapang” mask at Candi Penataran)
Ibu Ika also recognised that I was more comfortable with “Bapang”, as she noticed that the mischievous yet confident nature reflected my own personality as well. She also shared that every topeng dancer tends to focus on the mask character that suits their own personality the most. That being said, I did become slightly more biased towards the “Bapang” character.
(Photo: Dancers having rehearsal at Padepokan Seni Topeng Asmorobangun)
(Photo: Topeng Master Pak Tri Handoyo debriefing the dancers)
(Photo: Posing with Pak Handoyo and his wife)
(Photo: ‘Wefie’ with some of the dancers after sharing the space together)
The key highlight events for me were definitely visiting Padepokan Seni Topeng Asmorobangun and witnessing a LIVE Wayang Topeng Malang performance at Dewan Seni Malang.
(Photo: Pak Handoyo’s daughter on the right teaching us Tari Topeng Jawa)
(Photo: Dancing “Grebeg Sabrang” with Ibu Handoyo)
It was heartwarming to see the daughter of Topeng Master Pak Tri Handoyo, taking over the reign and conducting the session for different age groups of dancers at the sanggar. We also had the privilege of learning from her and her mother, who was also the vocalist in the music of the Tari Topeng that we were learning!
(Photo: Ibu Handoyo sharing about Topengan Malang characters and their traits)
(Photo: List of Topengan Malang characters)
(Photo: Painting our own topeng/ masks)
(Photo: Residency dancers with our own handpainted masks)
Apart from dancing, Ibu Handoyo also shared with us the types of Topengan Malang characters, how they look and some of their traits. And after sharing with us the symbols of each colour, we had the blast of a time painting our own customised topeng to bring home!
(Photo: Choosing colours based on their meanings)
Needless to say, this activity stressed the perfectionist in me, as I wanted my mask to have meaning that is close to my heart. So I found a way to add all the colours provided onto specific parts of the face, as a way of reminding myself of the traits that I have or wish to acquire.
(Photo: Spending time at Pak Handoyo’s house)
(Photo: Attempting to play the “Grebeg Sabrang” music on the gamelan)
(Photo: Ibu Handoyo’s Tari Topeng songbook)
(Photo: Ibu Handoyo singing and explaining what the Javanese lyrics mean)
What took us by surprise was also the fact that Ibu and Pak Handoyo graciously invited us to their home, where we could see the collection of musical instruments, masks and costumes that they own. Ibu Handoyo also showed us her handwritten book of lyrics and gamelan music score for the songs of Tari Topeng characters and repertoire that she used to sing!
(Photo: Wayang Topeng Malang performance at Dewan Seni Malang)
(Photo: Being moved to tears watching Wayang Topeng Malang LIVE for the first time)
The LIVE performance at Dewan Seni Malang moved me to tears. I was inspired, warmed and simply amazed by the amount of heart poured by the dancers, gamelan players, AND audience members. It was electrifying the way the audience was cheering and vocalising the music while the topeng dancers danced.
Before coming here, I thought I preferred the slower central Javanese style of dancing, but Tari Topeng Malang now definitely has a big part of my heart. The higher energy and faster pace seem to somehow match my own nature even closer, although the slower central Javanese dance and gamelan music has its way of calming me.
(Photo: Giving a thumbs up in the “Sabrang” costume)
I truly hope to return to Malang to dive even deeper into this Tari Topeng art form, and hopefully even perform in a full theatrical wayang performance with the local dancers too! Adding this to my bucketlist!
In the meantime, I plan to continue sharing about the beautiful and rich culture of Tari Topeng Malang here in Singapore and to hopefully collaborate with our Topeng dance instructors and Padepokan Seni Topeng Asmorobangun someday in whatever capacity as well. I feel safe and blessed that I can always turn to them as mentors while I continue to share about this dance and culture locally.
(Photo: Volunteering to dance on stage at a mass public zumba event)
(Photo: ‘Wefie’ with the zumba instructor on stage while dancing)
(Photo: Making a dance floor with locals at a dangdut concert with LIVE singers and band)
Thank you also to Malang and the people of Malang, for being so kind and friendly, for reminding me to take it slow, for allowing myself to have fun and to laugh at myself once in a while, for reminding me that it’s okay to start off “bad” at something new, to forgive myself and to continue having courage, and to lead with the heart.
(Photo: Residency dancers showcasing “Tari Grebeg Sabrang”)
(Photo: Residency dancers showcasing “Tari Bapang”)
(Photo: Certificate awarding ceremony)
(Photo: Posing with Ibu Indah, Head of History department, ex-classmate of Kak Rilla Melati and organising collaborator for this residency)
(Photo: Exchanging gifts with our Tari Topeng dance instructors Ibu Ika & Mbak Lina)
Thank you Malay Heritage Foundation, Kak Rilla, Kak Rozana and Ibu Indah, and everyone involved in organising such an unforgettable event in my life and arts career. Thank you also to Universitas Negeri Malang for hosting us. Special mention to Ibu Ika and Mbak Lina for being such stellar and patient dance instructors. Not forgetting the video team Shahid, Sulaiman, Gedhe, Nizam and Hendra for documenting the key events during our residency for the official documentary as well.
May this endeavour continue to flourish, and may Tari Topeng Malang continue to prosper. InsyaAllah.Md Al-Hafiz Hosni (2025)
Md Al-Hafiz Hosni Sign off. ❤️