| The
28th Bali Arts Festival, Sphere of Art Creation
Presenting 24 Foreign and
12 Outside Bali Art Troupes
The collapse of the
economy of Balinese community was most probably
triggered by the sluggish condition of Bali
tourism. However, rest assured that the
zest of the community, whose dominantly
work as farmers, will disappear. Just see
yourself during the 28th Bali Arts Festival
(BAF) that will take place from 17 June
through 15 July 2006 and that will be a
prestigious sphere of art creation. Even,
the content and number of art troupes on
show, keep on increasing.
Other
than being participated by local art troupes
from Bali, the 28th BAF, having this year
the theme ‘Swabhawaning Idep”
(literally means outpouring of character’s
nobility), also art troupes from 24 foreign
countries and 16 regions from outside Bali
are participating.
Foreign art troupes taking part in this
year festival comprise the Sendai Cultural
Foundation Japan, Jeju Arts South Korea,
Alliance Française Denpasar, Suar
Dwi Stri Japan Club Bali from Japan, Paripurna
Art Studio of Taiwan, Satria Lelana and
Sakura Sari Art Studio Japan, Raga Mala
Group from America, Mudra Theatre &
Bitef Theatre, Bali-Los Angeles-Canada (EDEPUS)
Theatrical Collaboration, About Kintari
Group Performance, Lila Cita Gamelan from
London, Wyarihita Group from Japan, Japan
Traditional Dance by Jusei’ Art Japan
and Yosakoi Kochi Japan.
Likewise, the art troupes from regions outside
Bali are engaged in jazzing up the BAF this
year. They are art troupes from Krakatau
Steel, Kerti Buana Art Studio from Tanjung
Karang Lampung, Gubang Art Studio from East
Kalimantan, distinctive dance from Aceh,
Papuan Dance of Irian Jaya, free creation
and Balinese traditional dance by Kompyang
Raka Art Studio Jakarta, Association of
Torajan Family (IKAT), Garudea Dance Drama
from Karanganyar, Alang Babega Art Studio
from West Sumatera, distinctive dance from
Sumba and from Riau.
A new content in this BAF is the execution
of International Ramayana Festival. Foreign
art troupes that have confirmed their participation
are from India, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore,
Laos, America, Japan, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the art troupes from outside
Bali are coming from Jogjakarta, Central
Java (Solo), West Java and East Java.
According to I Made Santa, Sub Division
Head of Arts, Cultural Service of Bali Province,
BAF this year to refers to the five fundamental
activities such as carnival, performance,
competition, exhibition and seminar. Festival
of gong kebyar is becoming the prima Donna
of the Balinese community and is exclusively
held at each regency and city throughout
Bali. “The current BAF gives the opportunity
to the presentation of modern arts,”
he said.
In addition, the carnival will remain to
present the distinctive art, classical art
and social art of Balinese region. Yet,
the current carnival is packed in the form
of theatrical art taking the theme ‘the
Passage of Sutasoma’. It’s said
that Sutasoma who lives in milk and honey
in a royal palace, tries to look around
for the ambience of actual social life.
Within the period of his travelling, he
pays attention to many things. Condition
of social life outside the palace is represented
through carnival of each regency and city
across Bali.
Opening of the carnival presents the Siwa
Natha Raja dance enlivened with pennants
of Dewata Nawa Sanga (nine lords abiding
in the nine directions) and colourful umbrella
positioned in accordance with its respective
direction. Afterwards, it’s followed
by the Sutasoma fragment played by ISI Denpasar,
rites of passage by presenting a march of
old artists followed by kid artist suggesting
the past and present time and accompanied
with strains of song. This march is supported
by Disbud Taman Budaya and Listibya.
Behind it, goes the ebullience of children
by putting on show the romp macecimpedan
(quizzing), sekar rare, matajog and others.
It symbolizes the embodiment of Nelu Bulanin
(three-month) rite accompanied by geguntangan
ensemble and played by envoy of Bangli Regency.
Queue of costumes used in tooth-filing and
traditional costume of Baliaga goes behind.
This parade is also brightened up with Cakepung,
Gebug Ende and Geret Pandan Dance accompanied
by selonding gamelan and puppet gender instrument.
This parade epitomizes the raja sewala ritual
presented by Karangasem Regency.
Buleleng Regency parades the typical costume
of Sembiran, joged dance and Jayaprana fragmentary
as well as rengganis as symbol of entering
the grihastha (householder stage) life.
As the region of rice granary, Tabanan demonstrates
several activities of Balinese people as
farmer. At the beginning, it presents Tani
Dance, resumed with theatrical scene of
processing estate land, rice field and ended
with Nangluk Merana (plant’s disease
prevention) rites with a distinguishing
musical accompaniment of Bumbung Gebyog,
Tektekan and Okokan.
In the meantime, Jembrana Regency exposes
to view the Arja Sewagati operetta, modern
agricultural technology, Dewa Nini and Makepung
Dance accompanied by Preret Musical composition,
Kendang Mebarung, Bumbung Gebyog, Jegog
and Dag.
As a world’s renowned art cynosure,
Gianyar Regency parades the procession of
various ritual paraphernalia such as bandrangan,
kober, umbul-umbul and tedung (umbrella).
Its women balance flower gebogan on gold
leaf wooden base and gebogan jerimpen. Similarly,
this is enlivened by mask; legong and gambuh
dance as well as gallivant dance of Barong
Landung, Barongket, Barong Macan, Barong
Bangkal accompanied by bebonangan and batel
bebarungan ensemble.
Badung that is well known for its tourist
resorts, presents an attraction of cultural
tourism like mebat rhythmical music, tourism-nuance
dance, costumes of tour guides, a line of
tourists in Balinese costumes and massive
cak a capella dance.
Denpasar city puts on show the death ritual
by presenting patient, paramedic, balian
or Balinese traditional healer and usada.
Similarly, this procession is completed
with pengabenan, memukur and lelod lelunakan
procession. While, the Klungkung Regency
displays a dialectical Rwa Bhineda in the
form of psalmodic Hindu hymns such as mawirama,
kekawin and kidung. Other session of this
parade is the presentation of the Panca
Dalem Dengkut and Barong Kedengkling mask.
Ultimately, this carnival is nicely concluded
with a group dance giving an account of
the passage of Sutasoma after encountering
entire worldly life experience outside his
royal palace. After the session, the Shiwaism
and Buddhism of the archipelago come together.
(BTN/budarsana)
|
