Bima Arya Putra

Bima Arya Putra, (b. 1999, Srandakan, Bantul, Yogyakarta) is a choreographer currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Artistic Creation at the Postgraduate School of ISI Yogyakarta, with a focus on dance film. He has performed in several works by Martinus Miroto and participated in various Indonesian cultural festivals in Australia, Japan, and South Korea. In 2018, he also took part in a teaching residency at Havering Sixth Form College in London.

His choreographic and dance film work is shaped by reflective creative processes, exploring themes of self-awareness and the environment. Notable works include Kidung Jalma Owah (Sounds of Crazy People), Lumbungan Nunggal Rasa (Circle of One Soul), and the creation of the Merti Kali Progo (Progo River Rites) festival.

As part of his Master’s thesis, his current research investigates Nenepi ritual concepts through ethnographic and practice-based methods, focusing on the relationship between self and nature.

As a choreographer and filmmaker, Bima has produced numerous works inspired by traditional environments, architecture, and the cultural values embedded in traditional arts. Recent works include:
– Lumbungan Nunggal Rasa (2022), an architectural-based choreography incorporating traditional ceremonies;
– Godha (2021–2023);
– Kidung Jalma Owah (2023), which addresses the ecological issue of Yogyakarta’s waste crisis.

His experimentation with the intersection of cinematography and choreography has resulted in works such as TOYA (2020), RUWAT-RAWAT PERTIWI (2021), and TEMPTATION (2022). TEMPTATION earned him the Promising Filmmaker Award at the International IMAJITARI Festival (2023) and the Environmental Dance Prize at the International Ecoperformance Film Festival (2024).