Independent Observer “Sometimes, you must first endure hardships before perfect joy arrives.” – R. A. Kartini.
This quote from our national hero perfectly describes how an Indonesian child continues to fight for her dream. Kalya Mahiya Pravina spent years of her young life working on her dancing technique. Now, she is acknowledged as a young master of traditional Indonesian dances in multiple international competitions.
Thanks to her, Indonesia’s reputation has been much strengthened. We of the Independent Observer are proud to have had the opportunity to talk with Kalya, right after her recent journey to Paris: “I have just received my second UNESCO CID International Certificate in France,” she informed us. “Last year, in March 2022, I received a similar certificate for my dance.”
In 2022, Kalya scored multiple dancing achievements, under the auspices of Kiny Cultura Indonesia and the Gema Citra Nusantara Dance Troupe, led by Ms. Mira Arismunandar. Her many competitive victories include winning the 1st Prize in the Portugal Art Carnival for the Solo Folk Dance category, for the 13-14 year age range. She also won the 1st Prize in the International Solo Traditional Folk Dance Category for the 11-14 year age range in the “Welcome to Canada” online festival, held in Toronto, Canada, the 1st-Place Winner in the Alpus Cup Renaissance Traditional Dance Competition, and the 1st Prize in the “Under the Hot UEA Sun” International Folk Dance and Music Online Competition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
In recognition of her many achievements, UNESCO’s International Dance Council (Conseil International de la Danse – “CID”) awarded Kalya a second international certificate in March 2023. The CID, established in 1973 under the UNESCO in Paris, is an official UNESCO partner organization that oversees all types of dancing, across the globe. Its members are dancing federations, associations, schools, companies, and individuals in more than 170 countries.
In Paris, Kalya received a Level 5 Certification from the CID. But why? “Because I have earned by levels 1-4 certificates by participating in many dance trainings and competitions, both for group and solo categories,” said the eighth grader at the Al Izhar Islamic Middle School, Pondok Labu, Jakarta.
The requirement for obtaining a Level 1 CID International Certificate is having participated in 150 hours of training. Kalya completed hers just before winning a competition as part of the Gema Citra Nusantara Dance Troupe in the LIangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Competition, Children International Folk Dance Group category, in Llangollend, Wales, United Kingdom on 3 July 2019.
CID Level 2 International Certification requirement is a further 150-hour training, which Kalya satisfied as she won the Traditional Folk Dance Solo 1st Prize during the Portugal Art Carnival international online competition, 25 January 2022.
Participating in a 150-hour training will get one the Level 3 CID International Certificate, which Kalya secured as she won 1st Prize at the “Under The Hot UAE Sun” International Online Competition, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, alongside the Gema Citra Nusantara Dance Troupe, on 25 September 2022.
