Cristina Wistari Formaggia, 62, died peacefully of cancer in her hometown of Milano, Italy on 19 July 2008. She will always be known in Bali as the woman behind the Gambuh Preservation Project in Batuan village. Her dedication to the classical performing arts of Bali knew no bounds.

A memorial will be held for Cristina on Wednesday, 30 July 2008 from 3 – 6 p.m. at Cristina’s home behind the Ibah Hotel in Campuhan, Ubud. The Pura Desa Gambuh troupe will hold a short rehearsal in her honor. Please feel free to bring a flower or piece of fruit.

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In Balinese drama performance social and political critics have been an indispensable part of a performance. Social and political critic can be found in all kind of traditional drama performance, from Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet) to Drama Gong, from Arja (Balinese traditional opera) to Masked dance performance.

The inclusion of social and political critic in traditional drama performance is not a new invention. Since the first time shadow puppet was performed in the island of Bali in the 896 AD, during the reign of King Ugrasena, it has already incorporated some social and political critics in it. The critics usually come up in the conversation between the clown, between the clown and price, between spirit and god, between clown and demon, and between king and god.

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The third day of Classical Dance and Drama Performance (9/29/2007) presented three classic performances – another Leko performance from Badung regency, Gandrung from Denpasar municipality, and Cakepung from Karangasem regency. These three performances were staged indoor with better sitting place for the audience but lack of fresh air and dreary stage background and surrounding (performances in the first and second day were staged outdoor).

The first performance was Leko dance. Another Leko dance (the very same dance with the first performance in the first day of this show) but presented in different way, of course by another troupe. This time, the Leko dance was preceded by three preliminary dances. All these three preliminary dances were danced by very young dancers, their nervousness could clearly be seen in their face but they danced elegantly and manage to overcome their nervousness at the end.

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Early in 20^th century many new forms of dance and drama were introduced as a result of the introduction of modern elements to Balinese dance and drama. Among the successful new forms of dance and drama, Prembon is considered to be sum of all dance-drama of Bali. This new form of drama is a combination of previously separate dance and drama genres, a hybrid and composite form of Balinese dance and drama.

Prembon dance drama. Photo courtesy http://www.gsj.org/

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In 1825, I Dewa Agung Gede Kusamba of Klungkung, the highest in the rank of Balinese princes, died at the end of a fifty-year reign. His cremation ceremony was said to be one of the most magnificent in Balinese history. Lower ranked monarchs from all other Balinese kingdoms attended the ceremonies and contributed generously to the rites. Although the King had quarreled incessantly with his nominally subordinate neighbors, the King of Badung and Gianyar, they nevertheless dispatched court Gambuh dancers and musicians to participate in the ceremony. The combined group created a special new performance for the cremation.

Gambuh performance on The 28th Annual Bali Arts Festival 2006

The innovation was called Dadap after the two dadap trees, traditionally associated with funeral rites on the island, which were planted at the opposite ends of the stage. The all- male company of dancers surprised and delighted the public by singing the dialogue of the play, as in Western opera. Dadap was a great success and thereafter performing groups were established in most of the court centres.

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After successful performance of Bedaya Legong Calonarang Fusion Dance in Esplanade Theater Singapore, Ayu Bulan Dance Workshop presented its new opus, Legong Mintaraga which was staged for the first time at Ancak Saji (front courtyard) of Puri Agung Peliatan (Great Palace of Peliatan) on Wednesday 8/29/07, in a series of legong dance performances to honor the legendary dance teachers Anak Agung Gde Mandera and Gusti Made Sengog.

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