Author: Ida Wayan Granoka, 1998. 191pgs. (Indonesian). Hardcover
Publisher: Sanggar Bajra Sandhi, Denpasar, Bali
Memori Bajra Sandhi: Perburuan di Prana Jiwa constitutes a rare and highly specialized commemorative volume, produced to mark the fifth anniversary of Sanggar Bajra Sandhi, an influential Balinese cultural and artistic collective. Far more than a celebratory publication, the work positions itself as both historical record and spiritual manifesto, articulating the collective’s pursuit of the soul’s breath (Perburuan ke Prana Jiwa) as a metaphor for the revitalization of Balinese identity through contemporary folk art. At its core, the text centers on I Wayan Granoka — eminent cultural figure, artist, and philosopher — whose oeuvre is distinguished by a profound engagement with ritual arts and avant‑garde performance. The volume documents his personal and communal journey (perburuan) to recover and reanimate the vital life force (prana) of Balinese heritage. In this framing, art is not reduced to commodified entertainment but exalted as a sacred vessel, a medium through which Sanggar Bajra Sandhi bridges the porous boundaries between the sakral (sacred) and the sekuler (profane) in Balinese performance traditions. The book explores how music, dance, and poetry function as embodied meditations, reconnecting modern Balinese society with ancestral cosmologies and cosmic obligations. Simultaneously, it serves as a historical marker, chronicling the collective’s first five years as it negotiated the pressures of mass tourism and rapid modernization. By preserving grassroots folk traditions while innovating within contemporary modes of expression, Sanggar Bajra Sandhi established a paradigm of artistic resilience and cultural continuity. Lavishly illustrated, the volume captures rare photographic documentation of early ritual performances, artistic gatherings, and cultural exhibitions. Its prose reflects Granoka’s characteristically poetic, philosophically dense, and occasionally abstract style. Readers unacquainted with Balinese Hindu cosmologies — such as Tri Hita Karana or the spiritual anatomy of the soul — may find the text demanding, as it deliberately employs localized spiritual vocabulary to convey its vision. Yet this density underscores its authenticity, situating the work firmly within indigenous epistemologies. Ultimately, Memori Bajra Sandhi transcends the genre of anniversary publication. It emerges as an invaluable archival resource for scholars of Southeast Asian performance, Balinese anthropology, and contemporary folklore. By documenting how post‑colonial Balinese intellectuals and artists sought to de‑commercialize heritage and re‑sacralize public performance, the volume illuminates a profound inward quest: the collective hunt for the soul’s breath as the essence of cultural survival.
Author: Nanda Wirawan & Iswandi, 2023, 52pg. (Indonesian & English). Softcover.
Publisher: Studio Wastra Pinankabu, Padang, West Sumatra
The revitalization of Canduang Songket commenced in January 2023 with a pedagogical workshop designed for students, culminating in the formal inauguration of the exhibition on 8 June 2023. Alda Wimar, a distinguished maestro of West Sumatran culture, and Rina Rianti, are the parents of Nanda Wirawan, the author of this initiative. Through meticulous research and the collection of ancient Canduang cloths, Nanda has undertaken a determined endeavor to resurrect the long-neglected songkets of Canduang. This effort continues the ancestral weaving traditions and is embodied in the work of Studio Wastra Pinankabu.
Author: Nanda Wirawan & Iswandi, 2023. 54pg. (English and Indonesian).
Publisher: TBSB (Cultural Garden of West Sumatra), Padang
This booklet is the definitive catalog for the exhibition "Menapak Jejak Songket Minangkabau" (Tracing the Minangkabau Songket). It is a pivotal effort to bring renewed attention to the Canduang songket of Minangkabau, which deserves to be recognized and celebrated. The exhibition prominently showcases crucial archival materials and comprehensive textile documentation, emphasizing the rich heritage of this important craft.
Author: Adi Kusrianto. 2021. 158pg. (Indonesian)
Publisher: Andi, Yogyakarta
The author delves into the origins of Batik, firmly establishing an invisible thread that connects history, the Panji legends, and contemporary research findings. This exploration is a powerful pursuit to uncover information through a distinctive approach that intertwines historical narratives, ancient tales, and modern science.
Author: Mery Rosmala et al., 2014. 41pg. (English)
Publisher: Perpustakaan Nasional RI, Jakarta
The catalogue was published for the 34th Indonesia International Book Fair, which took place from November 1 to 8, 2014. It prominently showcases a wide range of scripts from across the archipelago and beyond, sourced from the esteemed collection of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia.
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