Dance troupe promotes Balinese arts in Japan
<p>Dance troupe promotes Balinese arts in Japan</p><p>By Kadek Suartaya</p><p> GIANYAR, Bali (JP): Without much publicity, a group of artists
from the village of Ubud in Gianyar take off from Ngurah Rai
Airport in Kuta, Bali, heading to Fukuoka, Japan.</p><p>The village artists, who are well-known as accomplished
dancers and members of a Balinese gamelan traditional orchestra,
are representing Indonesia at the International Art Festival, the
Asian Fukuoka Festival 2001, which will run until Sept. 27.</p><p>At the festival, the dance troupe, Tedung Agung, will perform
contemporary to classical Balinese dances like Legong.</p><p>Chaired by respected art patron Tjokorda Gde Putra Sukawati,
the dance group will stage a special new gamelan composition
titled Tabuh Fukuoka 2001 and The Sound of Fukuoka 2001.
Lecturer at the Indonesian Arts Institute (STSI) in Denpasar I
Wayan Rai is also scheduled to give a lecture on Balinese art and
culture.</p><p>The troupe, set up in 1982, has frequently entertained dance
lovers with various Balinese dancers in, among other places,
Canada, the United States and various countries in Asia and
Europe.</p><p>Despite its popularity, the group still faithfully perform at
village rituals.</p><p>Commercialism, brought by the island's rapid tourism
development and said to degrade the status of Bali's performing
arts from religious activities to a tourist commodity, has also
failed to touch the group.</p><p>"This art group was set up to preserve performing arts as part
of our religion and tradition," commented Tjokorda Putra.</p><p>Tedung Agung, which literary means the Great Umbrella, is
mainly aimed at supporting smaller groups that specialize in art,
dance and gamelan in the neighboring village. There are a number
of dance groups of Kecak, Ramayana, Barong and Legong
included in Tedung Agung. The dancers regularly perform in
Ancaksaji, the courtyard of Puri Saren Ubud Palace, the royal
residence of Ubud's noble family.</p><p>Tedung Agung, which finances its activities through its
performances, originates from the Ubud royal family.</p><p>Before the Dutch colonial period, Puri Ubud was an important
center of arts for local artists, particularly dancers and
gamelan players.</p><p>These artists became royal officials in charge of preserving
Bali's performing arts. Even during the colonial period in the
1920s and l940s, Puri Ubud warmly welcomed foreign artists like
German painter Walter Spies, Dutch artist Rudolf Bonnet and
others who set up an art community called the Pitamaha
foundation. The Pitamaha foundation was intended to help support
local artists at the time.</p><p>Now, Tedung Agung follows in the footsteps of this tradition.</p><p>"Our goal is to encourage local artists, particularly members
of the younger generation to take part in various art
activities," Tjokorda said.</p><p>He expressed his relief that the village youngsters are now
able to show off their artistic talents both for religious and
commercial purposes. "Their self-confidence and attitude toward
their own culture is improving," he said.</p><p>Tedung Agung, he said, has provided these young artists with
trainers, gamelan equipment and workshops for free. Talented ones
are recruited to become Tedung Agung members.</p><p>"Our members range from five-year-olds to the most senior
artists," Wayan Rai said, adding that in l992, some child dancers
were taken to perform in Japan and other countries.</p><p>The team bound for Fukuoka comprised three generations of
artists -- children, teenagers and older dancers.</p><p>Ni Ketut Dewidiari, 24, a senior dancer, said that her dance
activities opened up the possibility for her to travel around the
world and learn about foreign cultures.</p><p>For the STSI graduate, her artistic endeavor, however, is
related to her spiritual development.</p><p>"When I'm dancing, I feel extremely happy and serene. I am so
grateful that I was given such a talent."</p>
from the village of Ubud in Gianyar take off from Ngurah Rai
Airport in Kuta, Bali, heading to Fukuoka, Japan.</p><p>The village artists, who are well-known as accomplished
dancers and members of a Balinese gamelan traditional orchestra,
are representing Indonesia at the International Art Festival, the
Asian Fukuoka Festival 2001, which will run until Sept. 27.</p><p>At the festival, the dance troupe, Tedung Agung, will perform
contemporary to classical Balinese dances like Legong.</p><p>Chaired by respected art patron Tjokorda Gde Putra Sukawati,
the dance group will stage a special new gamelan composition
titled Tabuh Fukuoka 2001 and The Sound of Fukuoka 2001.
Lecturer at the Indonesian Arts Institute (STSI) in Denpasar I
Wayan Rai is also scheduled to give a lecture on Balinese art and
culture.</p><p>The troupe, set up in 1982, has frequently entertained dance
lovers with various Balinese dancers in, among other places,
Canada, the United States and various countries in Asia and
Europe.</p><p>Despite its popularity, the group still faithfully perform at
village rituals.</p><p>Commercialism, brought by the island's rapid tourism
development and said to degrade the status of Bali's performing
arts from religious activities to a tourist commodity, has also
failed to touch the group.</p><p>"This art group was set up to preserve performing arts as part
of our religion and tradition," commented Tjokorda Putra.</p><p>Tedung Agung, which literary means the Great Umbrella, is
mainly aimed at supporting smaller groups that specialize in art,
dance and gamelan in the neighboring village. There are a number
of dance groups of Kecak, Ramayana, Barong and Legong
included in Tedung Agung. The dancers regularly perform in
Ancaksaji, the courtyard of Puri Saren Ubud Palace, the royal
residence of Ubud's noble family.</p><p>Tedung Agung, which finances its activities through its
performances, originates from the Ubud royal family.</p><p>Before the Dutch colonial period, Puri Ubud was an important
center of arts for local artists, particularly dancers and
gamelan players.</p><p>These artists became royal officials in charge of preserving
Bali's performing arts. Even during the colonial period in the
1920s and l940s, Puri Ubud warmly welcomed foreign artists like
German painter Walter Spies, Dutch artist Rudolf Bonnet and
others who set up an art community called the Pitamaha
foundation. The Pitamaha foundation was intended to help support
local artists at the time.</p><p>Now, Tedung Agung follows in the footsteps of this tradition.</p><p>"Our goal is to encourage local artists, particularly members
of the younger generation to take part in various art
activities," Tjokorda said.</p><p>He expressed his relief that the village youngsters are now
able to show off their artistic talents both for religious and
commercial purposes. "Their self-confidence and attitude toward
their own culture is improving," he said.</p><p>Tedung Agung, he said, has provided these young artists with
trainers, gamelan equipment and workshops for free. Talented ones
are recruited to become Tedung Agung members.</p><p>"Our members range from five-year-olds to the most senior
artists," Wayan Rai said, adding that in l992, some child dancers
were taken to perform in Japan and other countries.</p><p>The team bound for Fukuoka comprised three generations of
artists -- children, teenagers and older dancers.</p><p>Ni Ketut Dewidiari, 24, a senior dancer, said that her dance
activities opened up the possibility for her to travel around the
world and learn about foreign cultures.</p><p>For the STSI graduate, her artistic endeavor, however, is
related to her spiritual development.</p><p>"When I'm dancing, I feel extremely happy and serene. I am so
grateful that I was given such a talent."</p>