Deena Verawati
WHY DO YOU LIKE INDONESIAN DANCING?
I love Indonesian dancing because of its diversity. Each region throughout Indonesia is so different and the stories behind them are always so fascinating. I love learning about the meanings behind everything from the intricate movements to the details in our costumes. Indonesian dance plays such a big role in the history of Indonesia, and I feel that by learning each dance I get to live and experience the culture even more.
WHY ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT INDONESIA?
Growing up, my parents always taught me to remember and know my family history. We would go on family trips to Indonesia every year so I would always remember my roots and stay connected with my relatives. I also managed to spend a year in Jakarta to study and really understand what life is like in my home country. So I guess my passion for Indonesia grew over time by living there and experiencing the day to day life in person.
MY FAVOURITE STYLE OF INDONESIAN DANCE
This is a tough one. All the dances are so beautiful and different in their own right. I guess growing up in a half Balinese and half Javanese family, I have more of a connection with these parts of Indonesia. I love Balinese dances as they’re so vibrant, fast paced & demanding. I love Javanese dances for their gorgeous earthy tones, and their graceful & intricate movements. Two polar opposite styles, both of them are so rich in history.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A PART OF SANGGAR LESTARI
I have been practicing Indonesian dance since the age of 10 when my parents signed me up to learn the basics of Balinese dance at the Indonesian Consulate in '96. Moving into my adolescent years, I turned to Hip Hop, Popping & Locking which continued for 10 years. In 2010 I joined Sanggar Lestari and have loved learning traditional dances from all over Indonesia, the diversity of our culture still amazes me to this day.
Apart from traditional dance, Lestari have also given me the opportunity to put my other dance skills into practice by choreographing my own modern dances with them and fusing them with traditional movements.
Region - Banyuwangi / Dance - Tari Jejer Gandrung / Make Up - Susie Stevens