Murtala, a choreographer and dancer with Suara Indonesia Dance, was one of the volunteers who transported and handled the dead bodies of the Aceh tsunami victims. After more than two decades of grappling with the memory of the Aceh tsunami, he has managed to give form and meaning to his experiences, which he has expressed in his new creation, entitled Gelumbang Raya. Gelumbang Raya is part of Sisa-Sisa, a new work commissioned by Banksown Arts Centre with the support of the Sydney Festival, and Create NSW. For the first time, Murtala will perform Gelumbang Raya at the 2026 Sydney Festival at Bankstown Arts Centre, Sydney, alongside Alfira O’Sullivan, who will perform Jejak & Bisik, also part of Sisa-Sisa.
Gelumbang Raya – a memory that demands its presence
Murtala, choreographer and dancer from Suara Indonesia Dance will be performing Gelumbang Raya at Bankstown Arts Centre on the 23 and 24 Jan as part of Sydney Festival 2026. Jejak & Bisik and Gelumbang Raya are part of SISA-SISA, newly commissioned work by Bankstown Arts Centre with support of Sydney Festival and Create NSW. Curtesy: Sydney Festival 2026.
The 2004 tsunami that struck Aceh was devastating, with many victims, both dead and injured. The number of victims is likely in the hundreds of thousands of peole. How did the event impact those who experienced it, regardless of their role at the time?
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