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)

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Farmers of central and south Bali, which cultivate the lion share of the rice fields in the island of Bali only need to glance up to clouds which hanging around Mount Batur to be reminded of the ultimate origin of the water that flow into their fields and become the lifeline of agriculture in central and south Bali. Yes, in the crater of Mount Batur, stretching over 1,718 hectares is Lake Batur, an immense fresh water lake that is regarded as the ultimate source of water for rivers and springs that provide irrigation water for central and south Bali.

Lake Batur is regarded as the abode of Dewi Danu (goddess of the lake) which controls all the water that flow from this lake hence all the water that flow into the rice fields in central and south Bali. Since the rice fields are greatly depends on flow of water from the lake, the farmers of central and south Bali has a strong relationship with the goddess of the lake, spiritually all the rice fields which draw their water from the lake are belong to the goddess of the lake. This relationship is succinctly defined in a sacred manuscript known as Rajapurana Ulun Danu Batur, which is kept in the temple of the lake, “Because the goddess makes the water flow, those who do not follow her laws may not posses her rice fields”.

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The wind blows quite hard recently in Bali, older people who know the characteristics of each month in a year complained: “It is already Kedasa (tenth month of traditional Caka calendar) everything should be clean and nice, but this strong wind, dark clouds, sudden downpour of rain, what all these thing all about!” Yes, of course, they are right as always; in this month, the weather should be clean and nice but what can we do with the weather except talking and complaining.

This strong wind, however, creates many beautiful things to see. There are many clouds appear in beautiful formations, fill up the sky, creating beautiful views to behold. This one for example

Or this one

These photographs are taken by my boss. He said that Bali is blessed by beautiful panorama; someone does not have to be genius to produce a postcard-quality photo here in Bali. The recipe for a good shot is just a slice of good weather, a few ounces of good gears, a few slices of knowledge of photography, preferably on composition and finding good angles and generous sprinkle of secret ingredient that is called ‘persistence’.

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After school, Denpasar teenagers especially the female do not go back home directly. They come by to the modest warung (a small roadside stall that sells snacks, drinks and convenient household items. However, in Bali a warung is also the local coffee house, corner store and community meeting spot for neighbours to sit and exchange the latest news or gossip. Warung that sell top three Balinese foods is flocked in the middle of the day. What are they?

Plecing is made from 90% swamp cabbage that has been boiled. Those swamp cabbages are tattered using fingers and very hot spicy sauce made from 90% chili, tomatoes, and shrimp paste is poured on them. Sometimes the sellers offer them whether they want to mix it with kuah pindang (sauce resulted from boiled fish) or not.

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Penglipuran is a village in the southeastern part of Bali, in Bangli regency. Located 700 m above sea level, Penglipuran offers cool atmosphere with lush green surrounding. Penglipuran has 716 inhabitants and covers an area of 112 hectares. Like most places in Bali, Penglipuran and its surroundings is a tourist destination but Penglipuran put more emphasis of the beauty of their natural surrounding and most of all the beauty of their village itself.

The beauty of this village is represented by the name of this village; some say that the word “penglipuran” isderived from the word “penglipur” means “entertainer” it is said that in bygone days the kings of Bali often went to this area to amuse themselves, since the beauty of this area is believed to bring peacefulness and inspiration.

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The village of Songan is situated on the shore of Lake Batur, in Bangli Regency; 12 km from Penelokan or one hour-walk or drive on the single line from Toya Bungkah. Songan is also accessible by boat from Kedisan and Toya Bungkah. Songan is small village with a population around 5,000 people with a couple of streets and beautiful temples next to the lake.

Though Songan is quite off of the tourism map but Songan has many interesting view to offer; the best attraction in Songan is its beautiful natural panorama of the surrounding lake and forest. If you want to capture most beautiful view offered by this village; I suggest you to spend a night there get up early and have a shot or two of Songan superb sunrise. The pictures here will explain the beauty of the Songan sunrise for you.

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