Denpasar, In the City
Understanding the ”Sidakarya” Mask, Contingent of Denpasar at BAF

The Sidakarya mask is recurrently performed at all kinds of ceremonies: Deva Yajna, Rishi Yajna, Manusha Yajna, Pitri Yajna and Bhuta Yajna (holy sacrifice to God, ancestor, rishi (Hindu sage), human and nature). However, only yajna categorized into the middle and upper lever do dominate the presentation of this mask or on the ritual that makes use of banten bebangkit, taman or gembal.

The Sidakarya mask is also often called pajegan mask or mask dance that is presented by a dancer. He just changes the mask in accordance with the character he presents.
Sidakarya mask constitutes a mask that is presented at the last session. The dancer brings a tray containing sekar ura (sprinkling flowers) and sprinkles the flowers, perforated coins and yellow rice. Flowers are the symbol of gods, rice of welfare and prosperity and perforated coins for self-wealth within.
Children that watch the Sidakarya mask call this dance pengejukan or seizing dance as at the time children throng to take the perforated coins as if the mask dancer seized them. This scene intends to give serious illustration so the children are able to distinguish fear and courage.
During the BAF, each regency in Bali will present Sidakarya mask so there will be 9 mask dancers that will show off their capacity at Taman Budaya (art center), the venue where BAF takes place. Denpasar municipality will be represented by a young dancer namely Ngurah Supartama. He will stage at Wantilan hall of Taman Budaya on Saturday (25 June).
According Ngurah of STSI Denpasar, at the BAF, he will present the babad storyline entitled “Ki Ularan” with duration of 40-45 minutes. Ki Ularan, chief minister to the King Dalem Waturenggong, was delegated to attack Blambangan Kingdom (East Java) because of his request of marriage to Dewa Ayu Mas Putri (Blambangan Kingdom) was rejected. So, what’s next? Simply see its presentation that accompanied with Gong Kebyar of the gamelan troupe from Batanbuah hamlet, Kesiman.
Ngurah Supartama, a dancer from Denpasar added that even though he will make a presentation on stage that is not concerning sacred ritual, he remains to employ offerings as a presentation at a sacred ritual at the temple. Offerings prepared are peras pengangkeb for the ritual on opening the content of basket of mask as the masks are sacralized. Afterwards, offerings are put on the stage to appeal for safety on carrying out the presentation. Similar rituals are also performed prior to the dance, chiefly at the time they would like to take the Sidakarya mask by the offerings of daksina gede or tebasan Sidakarya. “I entirely believe that wherever we make a presentation, there must have ‘its own invisible inhabitant’ so it is necessary to ask for permission by means of offerings,” said Ngurah who has made a short visits to Denmark, Singapore, France and Switzerland.
At the presentation, the husband of A.A. Sagung Oka Indra Parwati, will divide its storyline into several acts. First act, Panglembar dance that presents hard and old masks. Entering the second act, there will be the act of drama furnished with a dance element, dialog and a song. This act is commenced with the presentation of Penasar and then mask of King Dalem Arsawijaya.
In the third act, bebondresan dance (amusing mask and full of moral messages). In this act, the father of A.A. Sagung Istri Prabaswari who lives at Jero Lanang Tegal (Jl. Ahmad Yani 75 Denpasar) presents the Dukuh figure. The Dukuh will deliver moral messages and reminds the people of Bali not to forget their own religion and tradition. Similarly, there are also some social criticism and the illustration of the community in various appearances and figures. The last act presents the Sidakarya mask as the summit of the Pajegan mask presentation.
According to Ngurah Supartama, the delivery of these messages is still relevant to Balinese people. “As a young artist, I feel proud as being entrusted to represent Denpasar that has abundant dancers,” said the owner of Bandana Praba Bhudaya Art Studio in Denpasar. (BTN/015)