Balinese traditional Arja opera cheers Jakartans<\/p>\n
By Tuti Gintini<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Bali is noted for its natural beauty and
\ntraditional sendratari (dance-drama).<\/p>\n
The island of the gods is also the birthplace of a unique
\nopera. Arja is an old form of court dance-drama blending dance,
\nmusic, vocal and dialog.<\/p>\n
Rarely performed outside Bali, the Arja traditional opera was
\nchosen to conclude the 20-day International Festival 2000 at
\nGedung Kesenian on Sept. 9.<\/p>\n
The Arja Bon dance troupe performed Bandarasura which tells of
\nthe tragedy of the brave prime minister Bandarasura from the
\nancient Wirasengga kingdom.<\/p>\n
Bandasura is derived from two words that mean \"a brave man
\n(sura) tied by worldly passion (banda)\".<\/p>\n
The play centers on the life of the prime minister and his
\nuncontrolled passion for the beautiful queen of Daha Diah Kusuma
\nDewi, wife of King Jenggala. Filled with lust and love, Bandasura
\nraped the queen.<\/p>\n
The three-hour play was jointly performed by artists from
\nSingapadu, Kramas Gianyar as well artists and students of the
\nDenpasar Arts Institute (ISI).<\/p>\n
Performed on a simple stage decorated with janur (yellow
\ncoconut leaves) ornaments reflecting Bali's characteristics, the
\nArja performance enchanted the audience with songs, dances,
\ndialog and gamelan music (traditional orchestra).<\/p>\n
Some musicians sat with legs crossed at stage left. They wore
\nradiant costumes of assorted colors, ornamented by accessories
\nfrom head to toe.<\/p>\n
For three hours, viewers were entertained with a series of
\noperatic scenes, dances and songs, locally called macapat,
\nsometimes sung in a very high pitch. The audience was mesmerized
\nby this delicate performance of Balinese artists.<\/p>\n
People say the Arja players maintain a tight discipline in
\npracticing their vocal skills. They usually sing and practice
\namidst a waterfall. They also undergo various spiritual
\nexercises such as meditation and fasting before performing.<\/p>\n
It was presummed Arja originated in 1825 during the reign of
\nking I Dewa Agung Sakti in Klungkung, East Bali.<\/p>\n
The word Arja is derived from the Kawi (Old Javanese) word
\nreja or areja, meaning beautiful entertainment. The dramas
\npresented are generally taken from Panji and Malat stories, a
\nlegend based on the story of Prince Panji from East Java.<\/p>\n
Arja groups perform favorite stories like Pakang Raras,
\nLinggar Petak, Jar Pikatan, Cipta Kalangen, Made Umbara, as well
\nas stories from China, Sampek Engtay (the Balinese call it Sampik
\nIngtai).<\/p>\n
Some Western theater observers call the Arja an opera or
\nmusical comedy, because, though generally the story is a
\ntragedy, many humorous scenes are performed by punakawan
\n(servants).<\/p>\n
The punakawan are the ones who insert messages or social
\ncriticisms that sometimes make the viewers roar with laughter.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, they use Bahasa Indonesia and colloquial language.
\nBut the serious parts of the story are spoken in Balinese
\ndialect.<\/p>\n
Arja started to develop in villages on Bali around 1904.
\nDuring the all Bali Arja Festival last year, nine regencies and
\nmunicipalities participated, presenting complete and all-out
\nArjas.<\/p>\n
The Arja opera, which unfortunately did not give any
\nimpression of the colossal kingdom, was performed by Ni Nyoman
\nCandri, Ni Ketut Warni, Cokorda Istri Partini, Sang Ketut
\nSandiyasa, I Ketut Kodi, Cokorda Istri Agung, Ni Wayan Tirta, and
\nCokorda Raka Tisnu.<\/p>\n
The Director was Cokorda Raka Tisnu, assisted by I Wayan Rai,
\nKadek Suardana, and I Wayan Dibia.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/balinese-traditional-arja-opera-cheers-jakartans-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}