On Saturday (29.01) we met with the casts and crew of Wartakwarsa project via Zoom conference to talk about their latest project. Watch the video above to find out about the casts and crews’ background as well as the origin, development and the future of the project.
Play the video below to watch the short film and the performance of Wartakwarsa: Rites of the Souls.
About Wartakawarsa
WARTAKAWARSA: Rites of the Souls is an experimental multi media performance by the brothers, Bintang Manira Manik & Gilang Anom M. M. It is a project that opens new energy channels at heritage sites marked by colonial trauma. Entities from the Orcyworld – a place outside our physical limits, crafted from dreams and imagination rooted in sacred cosmic energy – are responsible for artistic performances based on ceremonial rituals.
During a residency at WORM Rotterdam, the brothers developed the first edition of the project that takes place in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Datrawuga Jagad Gala and Jiwatra Nur Gama, two celestial beings from the Orcyworld, scouted throughout the city for places to bless and engage with its dark memories through mantras and prayers.
Dratawuga Jagad Gala and Jiwatra Nur Gama encounter with some of Rotterdam’s most complex heritage sites was presented through a short film directed by Ani Kehayova. On December 8th the Indonesian brothers presented the piece at WORM Rotterdam followed by a live performance based on the rituals developed through and for WARTAKAWARSA Rites of the Souls.
Bintang and Gilang also premier a short film that documents their journey in the Netherlands. There they transform into Datrawuga Jagad Gala and Jiwatra Nur Gama. The Two Beings come from Orcyworld, a place outside our physical limits, crafted from dreams and imagination rooted in sacred cosmic energy. Through mantra and prayers, they are going to cleanse and bring new energy healing the dark memories in historical places around Rotterdam.
ABOUT THE Creators
Bintang Manira Manik is a multi-instrumentalist and electronic music producer interested in responding to movement with sound – tribal chant, percussive-ambient, soundscape. He started his practice by playing djembe, later explored various percussion, traditional Indonesian drums, and completed an intense 3-year study of Tabla at Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, New Delhi, India. Besides percussive instruments, he also explored various styles of vocals such as ancient Indian vocal style, Dhrupad and Tuvan throat singing such as Khargyraa and Khomei. Bintang is part of multiple bands active in India and Indonesia. He is also a recent graduate of the World Music Department at Codarts University of the Arts, Rotterdam and creating different projects around the Netherlands.
Gilang Anom M. M. is a visual & performing artist based in Bandung, Indonesia. After his elementary education, Gilang started homeschooling focused on the arts. He was coached in workshops, residencies, cultural exchange programmes and apprenticeships with various craftsmen. Gilang’s art world is extremely rich. As a viewer, you are getting engulfed in the detailed universe constructed by his drawing, fashion, scripts, mantras and comic sagas.
WARTAKAWARSA is made with the generous support of Stichting Droom and Daad, Gemeente Rotterdam, Ministerie van Onderwijs Cultuur en Wetenschap & Fonds Podium Kunsten. 
