Dealing with the painting in Bali is not a simple matter, if you a beginner in this area, your best choice is to acquire a paper booklet on painting. If you are seriously interested in purchasing a high quality painting you have to seek an advice from the expert. You can go to the Neka gallery, Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) or Rudana Art Gallery and have a chat with its director or the senior staffs of those galleries. They will give you significant information on Balinese painting; they are treasure box of information about the Balinese painting. It is better for you to go to a gallery in order to find a fine quality genuine Balinese painting.

If you want to buy a classic Balinese painting, it is better for you to go to Kamasan village in Klungkung regency. Kamasan, a quiet, traditional village, 45 km east of Denpasar is the origin of Kamasan style of classical painting. Several artists have workshops and small showrooms along the main streets. The work is often a family affair, with one person doing outlines, while another mixes the paints and another applies the colors. The paintings depict traditional stories or Balinese calendars, and although they are sold in souvenir shops all over Bali, the quality is better here. Look for smooth and distinct line work, evenly applied colors and balance in the overall composition.

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The village of Kamasan, in Klungkung, Bali’s oldest kingdom, as an ancient tradition of painting with its roots in the art of the great Javanese empire of Majapahit. Kamasan is far from the usual tourist tracks, and so many visitors to Bali get the false impression that Ubud is the centre of art. The art of Kamasan is the ‘classic’ style based on the shadow theatre or wayang, and Kamasan village once included many wayang puppeteers, although few remain. For many centuries that tradition was practised by the Sangging descent group, who gave their name to the section of the village of Kamasan where present-day artists are still found. Early in the nineteenth century the Sangging descent group died out in Kamasan through lack of male heirs, but they passed on their tradition to others in the village, via the most famous artists of that era, Modara.

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Hell from Balinese point of view can be seen in the ceiling of the Kertha Gosa, the traditional courtroom of Gelgel Kingdom in the heart of Semarapura town, Klungkung Regency. I think picture will tell about the Balinese vision on hell better than words so here are some pictures that show various punishments for the sinned souls in hell painted with the classic Kamasan style.

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The Royal line of Buleleng, Singaraja is descended from the Son of Dalem Sagening, the King of Gelgel, Klungkung named Ki Gusti Anglurah Pandji Sakti. Pandji Sakti, it is recorded left from Klungkung to establish a new Kingdom in Den Bukit, Buleleng, North Bali. On reaching the peak of the Mountain range, he was thirsty and so he plunged his magic kris into the ground and front that spot flowed water. Water still flows from this spring today and makes life possible at the top of the mountain range. A temple was built at this place and is called Toya or Tirta Ketipat. You will pass it by on the way to Denpasar from Singaraja via Bedugul / Lake Beratan.

Ki Gusti Anglurah Panji Sakti eventually settled in the village of Panji around 5 kms South West of Singaraja. When he had finally succeeded in uniting Den Bukit (now Buleleng, North Bali) he became the King of Den Bukit. Then he built two other Puri (palaces) namely Sukasada, 2 kms South of Singaraja. Singaraja as the third Puri built on March 30th, 1604 became the beginning of the Kingdom of Buleleng and Singaraja, the capital town of the regency of Buleleng. Singaraja was chosen by the Dutch as the easiest place to make their first incursion onto Balinese Soil. This they did by brute force in the mid 19th century (1846-1849). The palace / puri was destroyed and the family mostly deposed or annihilated at the final stand in the town of Jagaraga around 15 kms east of Singaraja.

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Source from “Traces of Gods and Men — Temples and Rituals as Landmarks of Social Events and Processes in South Bali Village” by Brigitta Hauser-Schäublin

The historical scenery of Bali unfold from a third perspective as well: Nusa Penida, especially the region of Dalem Peed, which had (and still has) numerous connections with the southern coast of Bali. These connections are found on various levels, as well as in regard to time. But these levels cannot be clearly separated, since over the years they have become blended in the oral traditions.

Nusa Penida lies off the coast of south Bali. Its steep cliffs and mountainous countryside, with its highest elevation, the Gunung Mundi (529 m), are clearly visible. Even though the island seems within reach, it is difficult to get to because the ocean current is particularly strong, and depending on the season, it turns the crossing into quite a dangerous adventure. The Balinese reluctantly set out on this journey, and during the rainy season, when the waves are particularly high, they forego it completely.

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When you visit Klungkung regency (State East of Denpasar) you have to visit its Museum – Museum Semarajaya — to know a little about the History of Klungkung. Museum Semarajaya is located in Semarapura City – the city of Klungkung — next to the tourist destination Kertha Gosa/Taman Gili (Old Court-Hall/Floating Hall). Whether you want it or not you have to enter Kertha Gosa first before going to the museum due to one entrance only is opened for these two areas. The ticket is very cheap, @Rp 5000,- for adults and @Rp 2000,- for children. Why it is cheap, because it will not be able to help the government to maintain those historic inheritances. But the good point is the local people will not feel difficult to pay for the entrance if they take their family members there. It means they will know and learn more about their ancestor history.

flickr.com/photos/tanenhaus/

That area is divided into three parts, the museum on the West, Taman Gili (Floating Hall) on the South, and Kertha Gosa (Old Court-Hall) on the North. There are wayang (consist of Hindu’s figures and stories) pictures at the ceiling of the Old Court-Hall which tell about the life after the death. There is also a big exit called Pamedalan Agung, it is said when a Dutch Soldier climbed and was at the top of Pamedalan Agung he saw a different place below not the ordinary one.

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