<

(more…)

There is a holiday called Kajeng Kliwon in which Balinese serves Tipat or Belayag (rice-cake snack cooked in a small container of woven young coconut leaves) to The God. Besides in Kajeng Kliwon, Tipat is also used as an offering to the God in a day called Nyepi. A baby who enters temple for the first time is usually brought Tipat symbolizing that he or she asks permission from the deities who reside in the temple to enter the temple by presenting a Tipat.

There are many kinds of Tipat known in Bali. They can be differentiated in term of shape. A square-shape tipat is called Tipat Nasi, while the round one is called Tipat Taluh and for the pyramide-shape one, Balinese call it Tipat Sari, and many more shapes.

(more…)

Wayan Limbak, a late Balinese dancer which the popularity of his legacy has surpassed his own name, was a Baris (warrior dance) dancer who, along with Walter Spies, created the island’s famous monkey dance or Kecak. Kecak dance which is usually contracted into Cak is a contemporary Balinese dance, a secular dance that its origin can be traced to the sacred Sanghyang dance.

This dance was first created by Wayan Limbak in Bedulu village, Gianyar regency, at the request of Walter Spies. Wayan Limbak was commissioned to devise a new kind of dramatic performance which is based on Ramayana epic, accompanied solely by a chorus like that found in sacred Sanghyang Dedari performance.

(more…)

Here is an interesting article on the contrast of Music style between Java and Bali from Fredric Lieberman.

Java and Bali share many basic music-style elements. The predominant instruments in both traditions are struck metal idiophones and idiophone sets, large ensemble performance is the ideal, and solo instrument traditions are rare. The same kind of tuning systems are found in both areas. Musical form is delineated by colotomic or interpunctuating instruments (gongs) while agogic instruments (drums) control the kinetics of flow; and the prevailing texture is that created by several musical levels, or strata, elaborating or abstracting a basic melody.

Music is primarily an adjunct to ritual, dance-drama, or puppetry, the literature of which derives from the Hindu epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. Despite these shared characteristics, the two music styles give decidedly differing impressions. Javanese music is refined, controlled, serene, intellectual, “. . . each note is so soft, so tender, so vaguely thrilling, so changing–but ah! how compelling, how bitterly beautiful: that is no tinkling of glass, of copper, or wood; it is the voices of men’s souls that speak to me . . .” (Kartini 1964:50) Balinese music, on the other hand, is dynamic, lively, full of contrast and excitement, with “. . . a beauty that depends upon form and pattern and a vigour that springs from a rhythmic vitality both primitive and joyous.” (DeZoute 1939:6)

(more…)

The Suites welcomes you with a Private Entrance. The first sight and vision grasping your feelings would be your very own tailored Landscapes and eye soothing Private Pool [Outdoor Jacuzzi in President Suite], further augmented when relaxing at your exquisite Day Bed. Walking past, you will find yourself at your private Chill - Out Area, where you can chill and enjoy the feeling of Luxury and Elegance. Prepare yourself a nice drink or meal at the fully equipped kitchen or dine from a selection of the finest culinary choices. The Chill - Out Area and the Dining Area are all placed to a direct view of your magnificent Swimming Pool.

Enjoy a “Luxurious Tropical Dream” when sleeping in your massive King Sized Bed, or relax with a dimmed ambiance while watching International TV channels on a large LCD [Plasma] Television. Attached to the bedroom is the En Suite Bathroom with a Bath Tub [Indoor Jacuzzi in Deluxe Suite] and Shower, enhancing your relaxation with an LCD [Plasma] Television present in the bathroom. Further on the bathroom is directly connected to the Landscape Area.

(more…)

Tightly wound in golden costumes, quivering flowers atop tooled leather crowns, the dancers’ eyes dart from side to side, matching the energy in their hands as their fingers seem to shimmer in their joints. Balinese dance is perhaps one of the most well-known in the world.

Steeped in sacred religious rituals, dance is one way Balinese communicate with their gods and deified ancestral spirits. Dance (and theater and music) entertains both the mortal and divine audience. Both males and females dance and begin to study at a very young age. Towns are filled with dance studios (sanggar) where children go after school a few hours a week. Recitals and
performances at temple festivals are de rigeur , whether or not the piece is polished or not. The process of learning is almost as important as the finished dance and the entire community can get involved, from the teachers to the musicians to the vendors who feed the hungry students to the drivers who take them to the venue. Rituals are replete with children as young as 3 and 4 years old performing the sacred forms of Rejang Dewa and Baris Gede. The deities don’t mind that the feet are in the wrong position or if you look at your neighbor when you forget a step–it is dance as an act of devotion that is important here.

(more…)