Sri Tanjung: The Scent of Innocence, the newly-created contemporary dance-drama was staged last night at Ksirarnawa building, Art Centre, Jl. Nusa Indah, Denpasar by dancers from Arti Foundation. This contemporary dance-drama was created by Gusti Putu Sudarta, Bali’s renowned artist (shadow puppet master, dancer, composer, and vocalist) from Bedulu village Gianyar.

This contemporary dance-drama is based on 17th century tale Kidung Sri Tanjung originating from Banyuwangi, East Java. In Bali, the story once gained popularity as the theme of a traditional Arja dance-drama, shadow puppet performance and the sung of ancient hymn (pesantian) but has since been survived in the realm of pesantian.

Sri Tanjung: The Scent of Innocence Dance-drama not just revived the forgotten story of Sri Tanjung but also gave this ancient romantic story new twists and touches here and there. Gusti Putu Sudarta, the creator and director, even went further by incorporating shadow puppet performance into the plot of Sri Tanjung: The Scent of Innocence Dance-drama. In short this contemporary dance drama is a successful hybridization of traditional art forms.

This article is just a preliminary to the series of articles which will give in-depth information on the Sri Tanjung: The Scent of Innocence Dance-Drama.

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