THE PERFORMING ARTS OF BALI

The performing arts of Bali reflect an integration of environment, religion and community, in which every individual is a part of the experience. 

Wayang kulit (shadow-puppet theatre) is perhaps the most popular of all Balinese performing arts. The two-dimensional puppets are carved from leather and jointed from the elbow and the knees. Most of the puppets are based on characters from epic Indian tales such as Ramayana or the Mahabharata.

Suspended at the centre of a white screen is the Damar, a coconut-oil lamp that illuminates and casts a shadow on the screen, though today electric light bulbs are also common. The audience usually sits on the other side of the screen and is entertained by the shadows; the Dalang – the story teller and the puppeteer – remains behind the screen with his assistants (right and left) and the musicians. On the Dalang’s left is his puppet chest (grobag), while a quartet of musicians, playing the accompaniment on the ten-keyed gangsa instruments, sit beside him. A performance can last for up to nine hours.

The Dalang or puppet master is a consecrated priest. He moves the puppets while narrating the story.

DANCE – DRAMA

The exuberance of Balinese dance gives it an air of spontaneity, yet beneath lies a learned set of motions presented in a highly stylized form. Each gesture has a name that describes its action; for example a sidestep maybe named after the way a reven jumps. No play is complete without music, no dance without a story or meaning.

Legong Dance

The classical Balinese Legong Dance is performed by young girls wearing elaborate costumes and headdresses.

Kecak Dance

The Kecak dance originates from a trance dance which a central person communicates with a God or Ancestor. The dance gets its name from the rhythmic chanting of Kecak by the chorus to encourage the state of trance.

Topeng Plays

Topeng, or Tapel, means something pressed against the face – a mask. Today’s mask plays, commemorating historical exploits of local kings and heroes, was influenced by the gambuh dance.

Gamelan Gongs

Gamelan gongs area made from bronze and are still crafted in Bali. Most villages have clubs (sekaa) that own and cooperatively maintain the village gamelan.

Source : Insight Guides Bali. Explore your World, Discovery Channel