"Nyastra" Activity to Conserve Balinese Culture

Several kinds of tourism promotions have been undertaken, both through road shows overseas and by inviting foreign businesspeople to come to Bali. "But the first thing is the development of Balinese culture through a variety of competitions," said Head of Kuta sub district, I Gede Wijaya.
For that purpose, a Sport and Arts festival was recently held at the territory of Kuta sub district to encourage the spirit of Kuta’s dwellers, particularly its adolescents, by involving them in the Balinese traditional culture. Within the festival, a rare competition called nyastra (writing on the surface of lontar leaf) was held intentionally.
According to Wijaya, writing on lontar leaf is Balinese culture that should be preserved. By sustainability of the traditional culture, he is confident that tourists will come back to Bali. "Bali is visited by tourists not only because of the allure of its panorama, but also because of its culture," Wijaya explained.
A similar opinion was also uttered by Ida Bagus Suradnya, Head of Hindu Dharma Council of Indonesia (PHDI) of Kuta Chapter. "Through the activity of writing Balinese characters, we can read dharma gita (Hindu psalmody) as heritage of our ancestors and which can consequently support the religious and socio-cultural life in Bali. In turn, it will also bring comfort to Bali tourism," he affirmed.
Participants of the competition were students of secondary and senior high schools in Kuta. They were obliged to copy the Balinese characters on paper text onto the lontar leaf. Time allocation provided for the participants to complete the work was 90 minutes. Jury panel assessed their works based on their method of writing, style of writing, correctness, neatness and punctuality.
First winner was I Wayang Agus Susila Dharma (SMK Prashanti Nilayam Kuta), the second was Ni Luh Putu Annina (SMP Sunari Loka) and the third was I Gede Karya Mila (SMAN 1 Kuta). (BTN/015)