 |
Bali and Its Dance
Bali is one of the thousands of islands that constitute the Indonesian Archipelago and has long been renowed as a tourist destination. It has been called "the last paradise on earth" by some. The traditions and beliefs of the people are based on a version of Hinduism unique to the island, their "dharma" is a blend of Hinduism, Buddhism, animism and ancestor worship.
There are thousands of temples on this tiny island; religion, and rituals associated with it, are inseparable from daily life. God is worshiped in an unending series of ceremonies that stretch from birth to death, with a multitude of ceremonies in between. In contrast to most religions, dance plays an integral part in the ritual and ceremony of Balinese religious life. Dance is an "offering" to God, as well as a manner to convey religious stories to the worshipers, often with moral messages. In addition, the dancer becomes a living repository for the visiting spirits, a vessel in which the spirit is able to enter and show themselves in human movement. This is referred to as trance dance. This spiritual visitation is an important part of the ritual and provides the spectator with a spiritual connection with their God.
Each basic posture (agem) evolves to another posture through a series of secondary gestures (tandang). The transition from one series to the other, and shifting from right to left (and vice-versa) is marked by a short jerky accentuation called the angsel. Tangkep is the expression on the face associated with the different movements and communicates an emotional emphasis to the dance movements. Movements of the eyes and fingers are choreographed with movement of the body and facial expression to produce the complete dance.
The dance is performed to the music of the Balinese Gamelan group. This strikingly unique sound is typically the result of metal hammers striking tuned metal plates, accompanied by a drum beat, flute, and a metal gong. The typical Gamelan group consists of about 25 musicians who have studied their instruments since childhood.
The combination of the unique music and dance technique makes for an experience that transports the audience to a distant land and to a culture very different from their own. The spiritual nature of the dance can provide the viewer with a very special experience as well. (author:Ed Sacchette)
Ni Wayan Ekarini Balinese Dance
Send E-Mail to: sinarputri@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2006 Ed Sacchette. All Rights Reserved