Balinese
Dance
Balinese dance is definitely not some
sterile art form requiring a fine arts degree to appreciate,
with just the slightest effort it can be exciting and
enjoyable for almost anyone.
History of
Balinese Dances
After the Majapahit warriors subdued Ball in the 14th
century, Javanese mini principalities and courts soon
appeared everywhere, creating that unique blend occur
and peasant culture, which is Bali highly sophisticated,
dynamic and lively.
The accompanying narrative for dance
and drama is to a large extent based on court stories
from pre-Majapahit Java. Even the Indian epics, another
favorite of the stage, especially the wayang, use Javanese,
complete with long quotes from the ancient Javanese
Kakawin poetry. So Javanese culture, which disappeared
from Java following Islamization in the 16th century
still survived in Bali in a Balinese for which became
classical ~Balinese culture. However, colonization brought
about the fall of classical Bali. With the rural courts
defeated and with new lords of the land, the centre
of creativity shifted to village associations, and to
the development of tourism.
The 30's and 50's were particularly
fertile decades; while the old narrative-led theater
survived, lively solo dances appeared everywhere, accompanied
by a new, dynamic kind of music called gong kebyar.
This trend continued in the 60's and 70's with the creation
of colossal sendratari ballets, representing ancient
Indian and Javanese stories adapted to the needs of
modern audiences. Source: Visitor Guide to Bali.
Balinese dances are not hard to find as there are performances
virtually every night at all the tourist centres, admission
is generally 25 000 Rp to 50 000 Rp for visitors. Dances
take various forms, but with a few notable exceptions,
they are all accompagnied by music from the ̉gamelanÓ
(traditional Balinese percussion orchestra). Some dances
are almost purely for the sake of dancing, like the
technically precise Legong, its male equivalent, the
Baris, or various solo dances like the Kebyar. Mask
dances like the Topeng or the Jauk also place a high
prenium on dancing ability.
You will find some photos from Alain, French guy met
in ubu, very cool and professional photographer from
Bali. You will be able to see more via
this link or I have created a website for him, you
will be able to see it via this
link.
more photos, Balinese
dances, click here
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