Dozens of Panting Music Groups Perform Stunningly in Jakarta
The atmosphere at the South Kalimantan Pavilion in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East Jakarta, on February 12, 2026, looked different from usual.
Since early morning, the pavilion area had been crowded with visitors eager to watch the 2026 National Panting Music Competition, an event that brought together preservers of traditional Banjar musical arts from various regions.
The event, organized by the South Kalimantan Cultural Office in collaboration with the Liaison Agency of the South Kalimantan Provincial Government in Jakarta, was lively and full of enthusiasm.
The distinctive melodies of the panting instrument, combined with drumbeats and traditional Banjar rhythms, echoed throughout the pavilion area, attracting the attention of tourists visiting TMII.
This event was not only an arts competition but also a platform for introducing the richness of Banjar culture to a wider Indonesian audience.
Participants Came from Various Cities
A total of 18 panting music groups took part in this year’s competition. The participants came from various cities and regencies across South Kalimantan, including Banjarmasin, Banjarbaru, Martapura, Kandangan, Amuntai, Tanjung, Barabai, Pelaihari, Batulicin, and Kotabaru.
Not only from South Kalimantan, but several Banjar art communities based in Jakarta, Bogor, Bekasi, and Tangerang also participated. Their presence demonstrated that panting music still holds a special place in the hearts of the Banjar people, even when they live far from their homeland.
Each group presented its finest arrangements while maintaining the original character of panting music, which is gentle, rhythmic, and rich in Banjar Malay influences.
Attended by Cultural Figures and Regional Officials
The event was officially opened by the Head of the South Kalimantan Cultural Office, H. Muhammad Arsyad, who emphasized in his speech the importance of preserving regional cultural heritage amid the waves of modernization.
Also in attendance were several Banjar cultural figures, representatives from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, members of the Kerukunan Bubuhan Banjar Jabodetabek organization, traditional arts academics, and cultural activists from various provinces.
The presence of these distinguished guests added to the excitement of the event and served as evidence that traditional music continues to receive significant attention from various sectors of society.
Spectacular Performances from Morning Until Evening
The competition ran from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM WIB. Each group was given approximately 20 minutes to perform two mandatory songs and one song of their choice.
Some groups chose to perform legendary Banjar songs such as Paris Barantai, Sapu Tangan Babuncu Ampat, and Uma Abah. Meanwhile, other participants presented new creations with modern touches without losing the authentic character of panting music.
The audience enthusiastically watched every performance. Some even sang along and clapped their hands to the rhythms played by the participants.
The grandstand area provided by the organizers was nearly full throughout the event. Many TMII visitors who initially just passed by eventually stopped to enjoy the performances until the very end.
Experienced Panel of Judges
The competition was judged by three judges from among Indonesia’s traditional music academics and artists.
The head of the judging panel, Prof. Dr. Ahmad Syafii, is an expert in ethnic music from the Indonesian Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta. He was accompanied by Nurul Hidayah, a traditional music artist from South Kalimantan, and Bambang Prasetyo, a composer and researcher of Indonesian cultural arts.
The judging criteria included the quality of panting instrument performance, group harmony, vocal technique, stage presence, arrangement creativity, and the preservation of traditional Banjar elements.
According to the judges, the quality of this year’s participants showed a significant improvement compared to previous years.
Panting Baiman Group Won First Place
After a rigorous judging process, Panting Baiman Group from Banjarmasin City emerged as the First Place winner.
The group impressed the judges with their performance of Paris Barantai, presented through an elegant arrangement and exceptionally synchronized panting playing. Their performance received thunderous applause from the audience that filled the venue.
Second Place was awarded to Panting Cahaya Banua Group from Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, while Third Place went to Panting Meratus Indah Group from Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency.
In addition, the organizers presented special awards for the Favorite Performance category, won by the Banjar Jakarta Panting Community, and the Best Arrangement category, won by Panting Serambi Laut Group from Kotabaru.
Tens of Millions of Rupiah in Prizes and a Rotating Trophy
The First Place winner received the rotating trophy of the Governor of South Kalimantan, a certificate of appreciation, and a development grant of IDR 25 million.
The Second Place winner received IDR 15 million, while the Third Place winner received IDR 10 million.
For the special categories, each award recipient received a certificate and a development grant of IDR 5 million.
According to the organizers, these prizes are expected to encourage regional artists to continue creating and preserving panting music as an essential part of Banjar cultural identity.
A Platform for Preserving Banjar Culture
More than just a competition, the Panting Music Competition at the South Kalimantan Pavilion in TMII served as a gathering place for artists from different generations.
Young performers were seen sharing the stage with senior musicians who have dedicated decades of their lives to panting music. This combination fostered optimism that Banjar cultural heritage will continue to thrive and develop in the future.
As the event approached its closing ceremony, all participants took to the stage together to perform Banjar songs in a grand ensemble. A strong sense of emotion and togetherness filled the atmosphere as hundreds of spectators joined in singing.
The 2026 TMII Panting Music Competition finally concluded at dusk, leaving a lasting impression on both participants and visitors. Amid the rapid pace of modernization, the simple melodies of the panting instrument once again proved that traditional culture continues to hold a special place in the hearts of the Indonesian people.
