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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At first I want to include this article under the headline “Through the Eyes of Researcher” but since this article was written a Balinese high priest Sri Bhagawan Dwija Warsa Nawa Sandi from Buleleng regency who has great concern on environment and climate change and produce many good articles on Hinduism in English, so idecided tomake a new headline “Through the Eyes of Balinese High Priest”. So without further ado here is the article.

NYEPI FOR UNFCCC
The silent day, A way to anticipate global warming

Balinese use to celebrate the Saka New Year. The Saka year is 78 years behind the Gregorian because it was created in 78 AD to mark the crowning of King Kaniska 1 of the Kusana Dynasty, in India. The Saka calendar found its way to Bali through the spread of Hinduism from India to Indonesia and eventually Bali.

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On the 9th of July, Balinese will participate in the public election, for electing the next governor. And Balinese hope the next governor will be as successful as Ida Bagus Made Mantra, the 1978- 1988 Balinese governor. Balinese love him much.

Born on May 8th 1928, Mantra grew to become a man who with great artistic talent. He was a good student in his school, very active in artistic activities and well known as Kebyar Duduk dancer. He inherited this artistic talent from his father whom also taught him how to dance.

Mantra then taught Cultural History of India in Indonesia University after he graduated from Santiniketan University, India. He was also one of pioneers who pioneered the establishment of Udayana University.

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The first evidences of human appearance in Bali date back to the Stone Age, tens of thousands years ago, with the founding of few artifacts that are believed to be reminiscent of small bands of hunter-gatherers. These prehistoric bands lived and foraged in Bali’s jungle and scavenged the tidal pools of the island. Many Paleolithic implements have been found near Sembiran in northen Bali, and there is also evidence in the form of rectangular stone adzes, axes, blades, hoes and picks used by a Neolithic people of Bali.

The most spectacular remains of Neolithic civilization in Bali are remain of Neolithic settlement and a burial site of 100 mongoloid adults and children which were found in Cekik, south of Gilimanuk, West Bali. These are the mortal remains of coastal people who swam the strait and walked across to Bali via land bridge from East Java to Bali in their migration east through the islands from Indochina. Bali was already well populated by the time of Bronze Age began around 300 B.C.

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Chinmaya Yuwak Kendra
30th June 2006
Open Stage Ardha Candra 20.00 PM

Kamban:

Kamban A poet lived in 12th century in Tanjore District in Tamil Nadu, India. There are 10.418 verses in six kandas (chapter). As in Valmiki Ramayana, there is no Uttarakanda in Kamba Ramayana. Kamba imports into his narrattion the colour of his own time and place. Kamba has not merely taken this theme from the greatest of Sanskrit epics but as followed it in almost every detail step by step.

Kamba Ramayana

The play stars with the poet Kamba invoking the supreme truth and showing gratitude to Valmiki, the author of Ramayan. He goes on to add his flavour of introducing the divine couple by dramatizing their first meeting. Rama and Sita remain spell bound. Indeed are words required when paerted beloved meet.

Rama takes Sita’s hand by winnin the challenge of breaking die Siva dhanush. Adding sparkle to the events, Dasaratha decides to crown Rama. Now the treacherous Kooni jerk everybody out of this ecstasy by poisoning Kaikeyi’s mind and causes the banishment of Rama who is followed by Sita and Lakshamana. Friendship finds a new abode in Rama and Guha, the tribal king who is ready to give everything to Rama.

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Meru - A multiroofed pagoda or shrine made of black thatch found only on Bali. Also the symbol of the Buddhist mountain-of-heaven, Mahameru, the axis mundi of the world and abode of the gods. The legend of this sacred mountain, represented on Bali by Gunung Agung, originates in India.