This work reflects various experiences lived by Megatruh and elementary school students in the 1980-2000s era in various regions of Indonesia. The name “Budi” is deeply embedded in the memories of students in that era because it is included in the Indonesian language lesson book “Ini Budi”, distributed and used in schools throughout the country, and the name became a term that was created and standardised to describe the ‘good student’ model in the eyes of the teacher. This phenomenon forms a uniform student experience across the country, regardless of alternative thinking, with the target of following the syllabus without developing students’ potential and creative abilities in the educational process. Megatruh’s reflection on the existence of a ruling figure who carries out standardisation or “cultivation”, where a teacher or lecturer can also be a figure of power within a large system to carry out this “cultivation”. Education seems to be a game for those in power, like a soccer ball. The thoughts and methods of Augusto Boal’s Theater of the Oppressed were applied by Megatruh as a frame for reflection and access to invite the audience’s active involvement in this work. Through the inclusive Boal technique, Megatruh hopes that a process of empowerment and democratisation will occur, a testimony that all groups have the right to play a role in determining the direction of a society.

Choreographer: Megatruh Banyu Mili | Dancers: Widi Pramono, Putri Lestari, Megatruh Banyu Mili | Dramaturg: Ahmad Jalidu | Lighting Designer: Ign. Zordy | Costume Designer: Megatruh Banyu Mili | Sound Designer/Composition: Cahya Kalatidha | Musicians: Cahya Kalatidha, Revi Perkasa Alam, Pramesti

Lawatari is made of a combination of two words – to visit (lawat) and tari (dance). This combination represents Indonesian Dance Festival (IDF)’s intention to connect with performing arts practitioners by co-organizing a mini festival. Held in collaboration with local partners, this program brings the spirit of visiting and getting to know the context of the areas visited. Lawatari was held in Makassar, Padang Panjang and Yogyakarta as part of the Road to IDF 2024 program series.