Tabanan, Rainbow over Ricefields

Andir Dance,
Typical Dance of Tabanan

Kerambitan Sub district is often nicknamed the warehouse of artistic talent of Tabanan regency. A lot of artistries were born and became famous in this sub district region which is the near with coast of Pasut. Tektekan art, for example, is really mixed and fond of by society. As well as new artistic creation like Gong Kebyar or Sendratari of Kerambitan origin that is able to lift this region in the artistic world. They often become the artistic champions within local storey level and national as well.
This Region which is 30 km’s to the West from Denpasar also owns classic artistry, which is still looked after up until now. That Classic artistry is the Andir Dance of Tista Countryside, Kerambitan. Andir and is equal to the art of pelegongan, namely a kind of Legong Kraton. According to pini-sepuh (elder) of Andir dancer, Ni Wayan Ngambreg, this dance has the specification in movement so-called ‘ agem’ (position of dancer’s hand). “Andir Dance owning smooth movement, bland and typically if it compared to other of Balinese pelegongan’, she told Bali Travel News recently.
Andir has six kinds of acts that are, Kapiraja, Lasem, Durga, Bapang, Kuntul and Prabangsa. What most often is staged is the story of Prabangsa with the figure Rangda which is always in a “trance”. The music attendant is the music of gamelan Gender Rambat supported by 28 instrumentalists. The object which is sacred on Andir dance is the dancer’s crown. Before and after the dance, all crowns should put holy in place and always submitted for sesajen (offering)
Andir Dance is started early with tabuh torekan, then followed by tabuh kebyar somes, batel puppets and many more according to stage requirements. The show then continues with condong dancer’s performances who dance for about 20 minutes, then continues with a Legong dance (30 minutes), and finally ends with tabuh gilak.
At the time of the ceremony of Manusa Yadnya, Andir dancers always look for the accompanied dancer called ibing-ibingan. At that moment, they bring the story of Bapang, Kuntul And Lasem. “The story of Prabangsa can take more than an hour,” said Wayan Ngambreg.
The historical journey of Andir is up and down. According to Ngambreg, she was born in about 1926, Andir had existed. “ At that moment, Andir used the Terompong music and staged it only for religious ceremony moments,” while saying that in the 1930’s the attendant music then changed with Gender Rambat which sounds softer. The effect of Terompong music that changed into Gender caused this dance, to be referred to as Andir. Andir, from he word “ nder” or the ending sound of Gender.
I Wayan Adus Suanda explained that in 1979 this artistry almost totally disappeared because of not being seriously maintained. In 1989, Andir returned on a stage invitation to enliven the BAF(Bali Arts Festival), staged in hotels at Sanur, Kuta, Nusa Dua or other areas. “We were often visited by students, actors and culture researchers. Arma Museum, Ubud, have contracted this for 2 years from (1996 - 1998),” he said.
Andir Dance is often staged at Pempatan Bale Agung Temple , Carik Sub village every Wraspati Kuningan, Dalem Khayangan Temple every Soma wuku Dukut, Batu Belig Temple (north of Countryside) every Anggara wuku Prangbakat and Taman Temple every Saniscara wuku Wayang
Adus Suanda asserted that sekaa (group) Andir in Tista Village consists of 62 members. “We find it rather difficult to find new members,” while adding that a lot of village children continue their schooling to town, so it’s rare find dancers.
This group is paid Rp.1 million - Rp.1,5 million for one stage presentation, depending on how far the journey is. The collected Stage fee is usually divided every six-months, which is on the Feast Day of Galungan. The group castes aside 25% for the cash fund and construction expenses, 65% is equally divided to the members, and the rest for group development.
(BTN / 015)