Dance-dramas to be staged at TIM

JAKARTA (JP): A winner of many local and international awards in traditional choreography, I Made Mariasa, will stage a Balinese dance-drama with a romance-tragedy theme at Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center tomorrow and Saturday.

Made, 34, said over the weekend that the dance-drama was derived from the Balinese legend of Jayaprana and Layonsari.

"It will depict the separation and death of two lovers, following the wrath of an envious king," he said.

Having performed at dance festivals in Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Guam, Lagos and Cairo, he hopes that next week's performance will bring about a better understanding of modern Indonesian women's roles in society.

Made said his performance would precede another dance-drama by choreographer Bekti Lasmini, 36.

Bekti, who is currently teaching dance at the Jakarta Art Institute, explained that she would stage a traditional Betawi mask-dance titled Jaka Pertaka.

"The dance concentrates on a thought-provoking subject -- the value of simple words and a promise," Bekti said.

She said the dance revolved around someone who takes a vow, Jaka, his wife Ratna and the grandfather, Dewa.

Like Made, Bekti has participated in several dance festivals and won both local and international awards. (02)