Bali mourns 'Kecak' maestro

Bali mourns 'Kecak' maestro

I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Bedulu, Bali

The energetic dancer, Wayan Limbak, passed away on Friday night
at the age of 106. In the early 30s -- along with the late German
painter Walter Spies -- he appropriated the chorus of the sacred
Sanghyang dance to choreograph the powerful performance, later
known as Kecak and so popular with tourists here.

"It is a tremendous loss for us, he was one of this island's
cultural pillars," a cultural observer, Putu Suasta, said.

Ketut Sandi, Limbak's youngest son, said his father died at
around 9.10 p.m. at the Gianyar's Sanjiwani hospital, where he
was being treated after a suspected stroke.

"He made a single sound and it was over. He died quietly and
calmly," he said.

Limbak was taken to hospital on Aug. 16, seven days after he
fell down in the yard of his house and hurt his head. He was
discharged on Aug. 23 but when his condition deteriorated his
family returned him to hospital on Aug. 30.

"The ritual to cleanse his body will be conducted on Sunday
while the cremation will take place in the early evening on
Monday. High Priest Ida Pedanda of Griya Wanayu will officiate
the ritual," Sandi said.

Members of the Banjar (traditional neighborhood association)
Marga Bingung, Bedulu, flocked to Limbak's house on Saturday,
offering condolences and preparing the offerings for the
ceremony.

Besides assisting Spies in choreographing the Kecak, Limbak
also played a vital role in popularizing the dance by taking his
troupe to various international art events, thus, making him one
of the most recognized icons of the Indonesian arts.

"He was an influential figure here in Bedulu, not only because
he was an accomplished dancer but also because he was the
longest-serving village chief we ever had," a villager said.

Limbak was survived by four children, 22 grandchildren, 17
great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. His three
wives and four of his children had passed away before him.