Karangasem, On the Wallace Line

Ida Made Basma, Dancing is Exercising

Actually in his old age, Ida Made Basma (66) is still able to dance as “punta” figure (the amusing figure in dance-drama Arja/Prembon). He mesmerizes the audience with his steady movements, strong voice, perfect improvisation and expression. He demonstrates his talented amazing skill and ability in Bali’s 25th Art Festival at Ksirarnawa building recently.
This husband of Jro Sumanasa has been practicing the art of dance since teen age. He tries to dedicate his entire life as a dancer and dance instructor. “ As long as I able to dance and train, I will never stop. My motivation is to conserve the Balinese art and also to do some sport exercises, remind that dance is a sweaty activity,” said the dancer of Triwangsa sub village, Budakeling, Bebandem sub district, Karangasem regency.
It explains, what he really is now was as the guidance of his father, Ida Wayan Padang. His father was the master of Gambuh, topeng (mask), Arja, Prembon, and Calonarang dance-drama. “I was skilled in Baris dance since 1945, of my 8 years old,” he said remaining his previous time.
Ida Made Basma who born in 1937 was also affectionate in tabuh art (traditional instrumental music). He has many teachers, such as the greatest artist Ida Wayan Kompyang and Ida Pedanda Gede Wayan Jelantik Sideman. His formal education after graduated from Sekolah Rakyat (SR) – Public School – is Sekolah Guru Bawah (SGB) at Singaraja for 4 years (1953-1956). As SGB’s student, he was active in improving art for that school by performing the Balinese dance for such of events. “I was orderly participate in such of arts affair along with my friend,” he said while explaining his career after graduated from SGB, as the teacher at SR (Public School) No.2 Kerobokan, Denpasar (1957) and then moved as the teacher at SR No.1 Karangasem (1962).
This former principal of Elementary School Senter Mangsul, Desa Tista, Abang, Karangasem (1974-1976) has four children. He had founded tens of kids or arts group in Eastern Bali for an art of dancing like Drama Gong, Jangger, Topeng, Arja, Joged, Gambuh, Prembon and other of arts types.
Seemly, his four children also inherited his skill talent. It proved, his older daughter, Ida Ayu Basmiari who studied Civil Technique, Udayana University, for several times wins the trophy in Legong Dance competition, Poet Reading, Short Story Writing, and “Utsawa Dharma Gita” (the Hindus inscription reading contest). And his second son, Ida Made Basmadi, who studied Electro Technique, Udayana University, won “mesatua Bali” contest.
Besides being Elementary School Principal, Ida Made Basma also sometimes officiates as DPRD member/district legislative officer of Karangasem (1987-1992). He retired as a civil servant in 1998. (BTN/015)