PT TWC Launches Shinta Obong Fire Dance Presenting a Meaningful Performance at the Cultural Heritage Tourism Destination of Prambanan Temple

PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan, and Ratu Boko (TWC) launched a new traditional arts performance titled "Shinta Obong" at the Prambanan Riverfront on Friday, September 29, 2023. This new attraction complements the regular performances already presented at the Prambanan Ramayana Theater and Stage, namely the Prambanan Ramayana Ballet and the Roro Jonggrang Dance Drama.

Shinta Obong's performances offer a unique experience for visitors, with a performance that's both recreational and reflective. Shinta Obong's presence also enhances the arts and cultural scene, a key tourist attraction in Yogyakarta and Central Java.

Shinta Obong is a performance that is taken from a fragment of a story in the Ramayana epic, which tells the story of the character Shinta who has a strong determination to show her loyalty to Rama, to the point of throwing herself into a growing fire. So that the couple Rama and Shinta are used as a symbol of loyalty that is timeless. 

The Shinta Obong performance presents a performance with Javanese dance movements with a more sacred and symbolic meaning. The audience is presented with a story about the character Shinta who feels sadness and longing for Rama. Shinta feels doubt, anxiety and disappointment because Rama doubts her purity. Until Shinta has to burn herself to prove her loyalty and purity to Rama.

This self-immolation process is visualized through an engaging fire dance performance . The visually captivating dance expressions are created through visual aids and explosive movement techniques. This fire dance performance is not only the main attraction but also offers an aesthetic beauty unlike any other arts and cultural performance.

Shinta Obong's performance differs from other performances, emphasizing interaction and direct involvement from the audience. This ensures a fully immersive experience .

Visitors are invited to participate directly in the Shinta Obong performance, starting with the procession, the blessing ceremony at the beginning, and receiving a blessed bracelet from the priest after the performance. Shinta Obong also features live musical accompaniment , adding to the lively atmosphere.

Following the performance, guests were led into the Hadangan Harang area to enjoy a selection of local dishes with distinctive and authentic flavors. This made the Shinta Obong performance a complete and captivating experience .

"We present this performance with a different approach from the other two performances (Ramayana and Roro Jonggrang), where visitor involvement is the main thing. They can feel and experience the performance directly, follow the procession, receive blessings and local dishes at the end of the performance. Shinta Obong is not just a performance, but also a spiritual practice that can give deep meaning to them," explained the Director of Marketing, Services and Business Development of PT TWC Hetty Herawati in Sleman, Yogyakarta, Friday (29/9/2023).

The Shinta Obong performance also introduced a new area within the Ramayana Theater and Performance area in Prambanan: the Prambanan Riverfront . This area is located right on the banks of the Opak River, directly west of Prambanan Temple. The performance is a spectacular spectacle, with the magnificent view of Prambanan Temple at night serving as a backdrop.

This riverside area is a new location that presents a green area that adds aesthetics and supports tourism activities at the UNESCO World Heritage destination.

"Shinta Obong is the first show that we present at Prambanan Riverside. Hopefully, with the presence of this show, it will become a new magnet for visits to Prambanan, so that it can provide wider benefits for the Indonesian tourism industry," he concluded.