Regarded as one of the globe’s oldest schools of dance, the Balinese tradition is a magnetic form of performance art that has transcended generations with its appealing costumes and expressive gestures. Having originated in Indonesia, the spiritual dance tradition was seen was a religious practice as well as an exercise in entertainment. Made up of various styles, the Balinese dance tradition is intrinsically linked with the field of drama or play acting, which makes the institution a form of musical theatre in the modern sense. Employing elaborate and colorful costumes, the dance dramas communicate ancient mythological tales as well as local folklore in an appealing series of scenes involving intense facial expressions and hand gestures denoting specific meanings.
Having mesmerised global audiences since its inception, the most popular forms of Balinese dance includes Kecak, Barong, and Legong, all of which communicate the epic tales from the Mahabharataya or Ramayana which are at the centre of most dance performances in Bali. It is said that a child in Bali learns to dance before it walks and the tradition of dance is passed on from mother to child in Balinese households. Formal training for dance professionals begin at the tender age of 7, when children are taught to move to the rhythm of the Gamelan, incorporating footwork, eye movements, and facial and hand gestures denoting emotion.
The “Tari Panyembrama” or Welcome Dance is a frequently employed dance ritual that is performed at social events and special occasions in order to welcome guests who attend the events. The sacred dance is performed with the aid of flowers, which are sprinkled around the young female dancers during the course of the performance. The Ghopala Dance on the other hand demonstrates simple village life in Bali while the Yudapathi Dance explores themes of war and conflict much like the Gebug Ende. The Barong Dance is the artistic retelling of the Kunti Seraya epic while the Sanghyang Jaran Dance sees dancers walk upon red hot coals in a supplication-like performance to rid the Balinese populace of disease and illness. The romantic Legong Trunajaya Dance in contrast delves into the emotions of love and lust in a captivating performance by an all-female cast incorporating synchronised movements.
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