A month ago, I dove headfirst into a dance residency, a decision made with more intuition than expectation. The idea of sacrificing an entire month of school initially brought on second thoughts, but the unwavering support and care from my lovely family and dancemates, even during my lowest moments, made it possible. I truly couldn’t have completed this journey without them.
The opportunity first came to my attention through my father, who found it on the Malay Heritage Foundation website. What truly captivated me and spurred me to sign up was the chance to step outside my comfort zone. For most of my life, my dance experience has been predominantly in classical ballet and Malay dance. I thought, “Hmm, why not be adventurous and try something completely new?” This led me to Tari Topeng, a genre I was eager to explore. Beyond personal growth, I also harbor a deep hope: to help spread awareness of Tari Topeng in Singapore, sharing its rich culture and history, and ensuring this cherished dance form doesn’t fade away.
The moment my feet touched down in Malang, I made a promise to myself: to fully savor every moment, whether good or bad, and to approach each experience with gratitude. This program, though only a month long, felt like a precious opportunity not to be wasted.
The initial days were dedicated to enriching field trips. We visited historical sites like Candi Jago, Museum Panji, and Panji Penataran. These excursions were invaluable, offering deeper insights into Tari Topeng’s past, its intricate stories, and the nuanced historical details that shape this art form. It truly brought the dance to life for me.
Our training sessions with Ibu Ika and Kak Lina, our dance teachers and instructors, were really enjoyable and less daunting than when we first began. Initially, the Grebeg Sabrang and Bapang dances felt incredibly demanding, requiring significant stamina for their long durations and immense strength to convey their dynamic movements. However, as we warmed up and grew accustomed to the difficulty, the classes became more fluid and rewarding.
This residency imparted a crucial life lesson: the importance of patience with myself. I’ve always had a tendency to set ambitious targets and strict timelines. When confronted with new, complex choreography and finding myself not picking it up as quickly as usual, I’d often feel overwhelmed and ashamed. It was a challenging internal battle. Yet, a powerful message from a dancemate became my anchor: “No matter how difficult things get, just remember never give up on what you started. It is not about the amount of times you fall, but the amount of times you get back up.” This resonated deeply, becoming a constant source of inspiration and motivation. It was the push I needed to keep going, even when things didn’t go my way, much like Nike’s “Just Do It” philosophy.
When the time came for our Tari Topeng performance, my internal mantra was clear: keep going, do your best, and most importantly, have fun. Despite a wave of nerves backstage, I refused to let them consume me, focusing instead on delivering my best and showcasing the culmination of our hard work. Even now, I sometimes find myself replaying the performance, thinking of minor adjustments—emphasizing beats with my foot, extending my hands more, bending my knees deeper. But ultimately, I always return to the understanding that doing my best was all that truly mattered.
To conclude the trip, the four of us participants were asked to write a short reflective message to ourselves. My message was simple yet profound: “Dear Me, keep growing, keep learning, keep improving, keep going.” This message is etched in my mind, an unforgettable reminder of the journey and the continuous path ahead.
Tyara Chynta Puteri Noor Azhar Sign off. ❤️