Puppet show held to relieve stress<\/p>\n
Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali<\/p>\n
The Oct. 12 attack in Kuta left many people in Bali with physical
\nand mental wounds, especially those directly affected by the
\ntragedy and the people who closely worked to help ease their
\nsuffering, such as medical staff and volunteers.<\/p>\n
Numerous efforts have been made to help these people, and
\nearlier this week a contemporary wayang (puppet) performance was
\nheld to provide a bit of therapeutic healing for those affected
\nby the tragedy.<\/p>\n
Held jointly by the Ibu Pertiwi Foundation and the Denpasar
\nInstitute of the Arts (STSI), the performance, titled Dasa Nama
\nKerta, which literally means 10 elements, was put on to draw
\npositive energy to Bali and its people.<\/p>\n
I Made Sidia, the moving force behind the show, was quoted as
\nsaying by Nusa daily that art, including traditional arts such as
\npuppet shows, worked to relieve stress.<\/p>\n
\"Art is able to nurture people's conscience and to really
\n'soften' their hearts. It also functions as a forceful energy
\nthat brightens feelings and eliminates negative effects,\" said
\nSidia, who was the puppet master and a lecturer at STSI.<\/p>\n
He explained that the title Dasa Nama Kerta was based on the
\n10 elements that create a peaceful world. These elements include
\nearth, water, fire, wind, air, humans and their Creator. All of
\nthe 10 elements must be in proper order and must be taken care
\nof.<\/p>\n
\"We are now living in a chaotic world where there is an
\nimbalance between humans, nature and God,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In the performance, the 10 elements were not in their proper
\nplaces. As a result, all of the negative aspects emerged and
\naffected humans.<\/p>\n
\"These negative aspects were reflected in human's greed,
\nanger, pride, arrogance,\" the puppet master said. The world was
\nchaos until three gods -- Vishnu, Brahma and Iswara -- arrived.
\nThe three gods were sent by Sang Hyang Bayu, according to the
\nstory.<\/p>\n
The performance was rich in wisdom and urged viewers to listen
\nto their inner consciences. Unlike traditional leather puppet
\nperformances, which usually use a white screen illuminated by a
\nkerosene lamp to reflect the puppets, this contemporary show
\nutilized high-tech equipment.<\/p>\n
For instance, a computer was used to project the puppets onto
\nthe wide screen. The traditional gamelan orchestra that usually
\naccompanies such performances was enriched with a large variety
\nof sounds produced by modern musical instruments, including a
\nkeyboard and acoustic piano.<\/p>\n
Intended for the general public, the performance also used
\nBahasa Indonesia instead of high Balinese language, or Kawi.<\/p>\n
It is hoped the 30-minute show helped those who are in pain to
\nforget their suffering, at least for a little while.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/puppet-show-held-to-relieve-stress-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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