Balinese Festival in Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri is scheduled to open the Balinese Arts Festival that will take place at the Jakarta Playhouse from April 10 to April 15.

Choreographer IG Kompiang Raka, the deputy director of the Jakarta Playhouse (GKJ), said that the festival, the first ever organized by the playhouse, will feature classical, traditional and modern Balinese dances.

The dances will be staged by artists of the Saraswati Balinese Arts Institute and the Kinarya GSP, which is led by Megawati's younger brother, Guruh Soekarnoputra.

A Balinese painting exhibition featuring artist Nyoman Erawan and a dance workshop will also be held during the festival.

The festival, organized in cooperation with the Committee for the Celebration of 100th Anniversary of Bung Karno (former president Sukarno), is also held to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of Saraswati Arts Institute.

Kompiang said that some of the works to be presented during the festival were inspired by Bung Karno.

"For example, the Kecak Dance that will be performed by 80 women dancers," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Kecak Dance is usually performed by men in black and white checkered sarong. But Bung Karno, who enjoyed watching Balinese female dancers practicing, suggested that the dance be performed by women wearing kebaya (traditional outfit) and Balinese hair bun, Kompiang said.

"That's not against the rules. It could be performed by women. The movements were also designed for women," he said.

Drummer Gilang Ramadhan and guitarist Dewa Bujana will also take part in the festival.

Different shows will be performed during the six-day festival.