Bunyi Bunyi Bumi entreats us to hear and embody the sounds of the earth — of Country — carrying the stories of shared kinships across the Asia-Pacific region. Thrumming with dance, body percussion, syncopated rhythms, and stunning visuals, the performance unites Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Indonesian artists in a joyous rebuke of colonial amnesia.

A groundbreaking commission, Bunyi Bunyi Bumi replaces tired narratives of trade and Empire with truth, resistance, and resilience. Co-directed by raymond d. blanco and Dr. Priya Srinivasan, with co-devisors Waangenga Blanco, Alfira O’Sullivan, Murtala and Tyrel Dulvarie, this contemporary work uses immersive choreography to celebrate the interconnectedness of cultures.

ASIA TOPA FESTIVAL PREMIERE
20 - 23 February 2025 | Bunjil Place, Studio

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Creative Team

Co-Directors and Co-Devisors:
raymond blanco (Yadhaigana and Erub) & Priya Srinivasan (Tamil)

Co-Devisors:
Alfira O'Sullivan (Acehnese)
Murtala (Acehnese)
Waangenga Blanco (Meriam and Pajinka Wik)
Tyrel Dulvarie (Yirrganydji)

Spoken word artist: Getano Bann

Visual Design: Vernon Ah Kee (Kuku Yalanji, Waanji, Yidinji, Gugu Yimithirr)

Rehearsal Director: Joshua Bond

Design Dramaturg: Govin Ruben (Malaysian Tamil)

Sound Designer: Samuel Pankhurst

Projection Designer: Sam James

Set & Costume Designer: Harry Gill

Lighting Designer: Kris Chainey

Dramaturg: Katrina Irawati Graham (Sundanese)

Well-Being & First Aid Support: Nix Gross (Noonuccal Ngugi)

Production Manager: Simon Cook (Mamu)

Associate Producer: Luke Peacock (Meriam)

Stage Manager: Lucie Sutherland

Production Coordinator: Emma Holgate (Mandaburra)

Images by Mick Richards - from creative development November 2024, Brisbane

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Director’s Program Notes

Commissioned by Bunjil Place and Asia TOPA, Arts Centre Melbourne.

Produced by BlakDance.

This project is supported through the Australian Government's Indigenous Languages and Arts program, through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

We also thank Nancy Bamaga, Getano Bann, Keerthi Subramanyam, Sangam, Suara Dance, City of Greater Dandenong, Drum Theatre, Walker Street Gallery, Metro Arts and Thomas Dixon Centre for their support over the creative developments.

We're thrilled to share new work in development Bunyi Bunyi Bumi, Co-Directed by raymond blanco (Yadhaigana and Erub) and Priya Srinivasan (Tamil) and Co-Devised with Alfira O'Sullivan (Acehnese), Murtala (Acehnese), Waangenga Blanco (Meriam and Pajinka Wik) and and Tyrel Dulvarie (Yirrganydji).

Bunyi Bunyi Bumi brings together our resilience, identity, and transformation in re-threading First Nations and Indonesian connections across the Indian Ocean. With powerful choreography and storytelling, Bunyi Bunyi Bumi delves into the impacts of colonisation, bringing together extraordinary talent from diverse cultural perspectives.

This journey began in June 2023, with the work undertaking three intensive development phases to date in Naarm at Abbotsford Convent, Malthouse, City of Dandenong and Walker Street Gallery, each building on the last to deepen the story and amplify its cultural layers. BlakDance proudly stewards this project as producer and cultural advocate, ensuring creative control, self-determination, and respect for cultural protocols.

We are stoked to welcome two new First Nations roles within our workforce development strategy: Luke Peacock as Associate Producer and Emma Holgate as Production Coordinator. Their expertise and perspectives strengthen our commitment to cultural integrity and representation.