Navicula was formed in 1996 in Bali, Indonesia by two musician activists: R… Read Full Bio ↴Navicula was formed in 1996 in Bali, Indonesia by two musician activists: Robi and Dankie. After changing personnel numerous times, the current formation is: Robi (vocals, guitar), Dankie (guitar), Made (bass), and Gembull (drums). The name Navicula was inspired by a type of single celled golden algae, which is shaped like a small ship (in Latin Navicula means small ship). Their music has a grunge rock undertone, but is combined with many other genres of sound, such as ethnic, folk, psychedelic, punk, alternative, funk, blues, and straightforward rock. The band’s lyrics are heavy with activism messages of Peace, Love and Freedom.

Though the band has always been active in the indie music scene, in 2004 they signed a contract with Sony-BMG, a major label. Navicula released their 4th album, Alkemis, with Sony-BMG. But, in 2007 they released their 5th album, Beautiful Rebel, independently and returned to following their ideals through the indie music scene. In 2009 Navicula released a 6th album “Salto”, and they are now working on their 7th full-length studio album (release date still to be announced). Navicula is based in Bali, but continue to keep up a national profile.

Navicula’s music is strongly influenced by alternative 90’s rock, especially grunge rock/Seattle sound, through bands such as Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Nirvana. But what makes their music so unique is their condition of beginning in the melting pot of modern Bali and having the opportunity to mold their creativity out of contrasts so extreme. From the spiritual mountains of Bali’s ancient kingdoms, to passion driven international artists who have come to find inspiration in Bali, and the raw punk rockers of down-town Kuta, this band finds their own taste through it all, the taste of ‘golden green grunge’, the taste of Navicula.

Navicula “the Green Grunge Gentlemen”
Navicula are known as “the Green Grunge Gentlemen”. Since the formation of the band back in the 90’s, environmental and social issues have been a consistent theme in Navicula’s music. Living in Bali, the band often finds inspiration in nature, and seeing the environmental changes happening in Bali and the world, this inspires many of the topics of their songs.

Navicula continues to support social and environmental campaigns in Indonesia and around the world. Following are some of their most recent Social/Eco-Actions:

2010: Navicula was chosen as official spokesperson for Live Earth Bali 2010. Live Earth is an International Organization founded by Emmy-winning producer Kevin Wall, in partnership with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Live Earth seeks to leverage the power of entertainment through integrated events, media and the live experience to ignite a global movement aimed at solving the most critical environmental issues of our time.

2009: Navicula contributed the song “Mafia Medis” to Prita Muliyasari’s fight for medical justice and freedom of speech. The song was offered for free download on the band’s website, encouraging fans to listen to the song for free and then as payment donate directly to Prita’s cause (Koin untuk Prita).

2008: Navicula was featured on a national compilation album founded by LIPI to raise Disaster Awareness. Robi (vocalist of Navicula) along with Pepeng (drummer of Jakarta band Naif) we’re chosen as the spokespersons of the program and participated in giving trainings to communities in disaster prone areas of Indonesia, including Irian Jaya, Yogyakarta, and Bali.

2007 Navicula was awarded Environmental Ambassadors of Bali by the local government.

Navicula also is active as a performer, supporter, speaker, producer, as well as event organizer for many fundraisers, educational and art campaigns, social work, and sub-culture events.

Istana Waktu
Navicula Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Kirimkan wahyu darimu yang kau tulis pada batu
Dibawa kupu kupu dia terbang pada ku
Tinggallah bersamaku disitana waktu
Yang slalu berlalu disetiap fajar baru

Antarkan aku kesana ke pulau purnama
Kita meniti pelangi yang muncul dimalam hari
Wariskan tahta sang surya yang terbit dikutub utara

Bersinar di antara kita tenggelam di antartika
Bernafaskan mutiara dari dasar samudra
Yang kini tlah menjadi gurun dimana hujan tak pernah turun

Buatkan aku mahkota dari bunga tujuh warna
Yang mekar ribuan tahu silam terkubur di laut terdalam
Tinggallah bersamaku diistana waktu

Antarkan aku kesana ke pulau purnama
Kita meniti pelangi yang muncul dimalam hari
Buatkan aku mahkota dari bunga tujuh warna
Yang mekar ribuan tahun silam terkubur dibumi terdalam

Kubuatkan singgasana dan sebuah istana
Tinggallah bersamaku diistana waktu

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Istana Waktu" by Navicula are a call to someone, possibly a deity or a mythical figure, to send a message written on a stone through a butterfly, which will then be flown to the singer. The request is followed by an invitation to stay with the singer in a timeless palace, where they can escape the rapid passage of time that marks every new dawn. The song continues with the singer asking to be taken to a place where they can witness the emergence of a rainbow at night, and where they can reign with the sun at the North Pole shining in-between them, and submerge with them in the Antarctic. The lyrics further describe the desire for a world where pearls could breathe at the bottom of the ocean, in a desert where it never rains, and a crown made of flowers that bloom every thousand years can be given. The song ends with the singer asking to build a throne and a palace and stay with them in the palace of time.

The lyrics of "Istana Waktu" draw upon imagery and devices from both traditional and modern Indonesian culture, creating a blend of mythology, politics, and environmentalism. The reference to sending a message through a butterfly resonates with the indigenous belief in the symbolic importance of animals, while the description of a palace outside of time can be seen as a commentary on the rapid development and modernization occurring in Indonesian society. The references to nature, environmental degradation, and the desire for a more harmonious world align with the political message of Navicula's other songs.

Line by Line Meaning

Kirimkan wahyu darimu yang kau tulis pada batu
Share your divine message, etched on stone

Dibawa kupu-kupu dia terbang pada ku
It was carried by a butterfly that flew to me

Tinggallah bersamaku disitana waktu
Stay with me at the palace of time

Yang slalu berlalu disetiap fajar baru
That keeps passing with each new dawn

Antarkan aku kesana ke pulau purnama
Take me to that island of full moon

Kita meniti pelangi yang muncul dimalam hari
We will ride the rainbow that appears in the night

Wariskan tahta sang surya yang terbit dikutub utara
Inherit the throne of the sun that rises at the north pole

Bersinar di antara kita tenggelam di antartika
Shine between us and set in Antarctica

Bernafaskan mutiara dari dasar samudra
Breathe pearls from the depths of the ocean

Yang kini tlah menjadi gurun dimana hujan tak pernah turun
Which has now become a desert where rain never falls

Buatkan aku mahkota dari bunga tujuh warna
Make me a crown from seven-colored flowers