Dance troupe promotes Balinese arts in Japan

By Kadek Suartaya

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.

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.

At the festival, the dance troupe, Tedung Agung, will perform contemporary to classical Balinese dances like Legong.

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.

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.

Despite its popularity, the group still faithfully perform at village rituals.

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.

"This art group was set up to preserve performing arts as part of our religion and tradition," commented Tjokorda Putra.

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.

Tedung Agung, which finances its activities through its performances, originates from the Ubud royal family.

Before the Dutch colonial period, Puri Ubud was an important center of arts for local artists, particularly dancers and gamelan players.

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.

Now, Tedung Agung follows in the footsteps of this tradition.

"Our goal is to encourage local artists, particularly members of the younger generation to take part in various art activities," Tjokorda said.

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.

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.

"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.

The team bound for Fukuoka comprised three generations of artists -- children, teenagers and older dancers.

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.

For the STSI graduate, her artistic endeavor, however, is related to her spiritual development.

"When I'm dancing, I feel extremely happy and serene. I am so grateful that I was given such a talent."