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 Jim, Anom, Ayu and Agung De Performing in San Diego CA |
Dancing |
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Dance and drama have played an important role in Balinese culture through out the years. It is through this Balinese Theater that the islanders learned tales from the Ramayana, Mahabarata and other epic stories from Balinese history. I have studied Balinese Topeng (mask) dance since 1975. My first teacher was a master from the village of Tampalsiring named Pak Tempo. He taught me correct posture (agum) and the philosophy of the dance. He taught me that the Balinese consider masks sacred objects and that the best dancers become possessed by the spirit of the mask. He has since passed away and I am lucky to have been under his tutelage. Other teachers have included Nyoman Wenton, who teaches at Cal arts in Los Angeles, Pak Tutor of Petulu, Ketut Kemur of Bonkaso, I Gusti Ngurah Windia from Carangsari and the contemporary Anak Agung Anom Putra of Ubud and Anom, my best friend in Bali.
In the Ubud area you can go to a dance performance almost any night. Anoms’s group Semar Ratih performs once a week. However if you get the chance to observe the real thing at a temple festival don’t miss the opportunity. For those of you who are interested in learning Balinese dance you contact Bali Advisor; or if you are in Bali you can visit Anom and Ayu's home Studio in Ubud.
View Performance Schedule - View Semara Ratih Website
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