During the heyday of tourism in Bali around 70s and 80s, the visitors to the paradise island usually had a chance or two to be showered by flowers by a group of girls with golden shiny costume holding a bowl of colorful flowers who danced the “Welcoming Dance” either in the hotel lobby or in airport. The Panyembrama (Welcoming) dance is a standard welcome dance that is always performed first in a dance program and regularly performed at Ngurah Rai Airport when distinguished guests from Jakarta or foreign dignitaries arrive.

The Panyembrama (Welcoming) dance is a purely secular dance that was created in 1967 by I Gusti Gede Raka, a well-known dance teacher form the village of Saba, in Gianyar regency’ based on the movement of the sacred rejang dance. After some reworking by I Wayan Beratha in 1970, the Panyembrama (Welcoming) dance reached its present form.

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On Sunday night at 8 pm, I was privy to see one of the most amazing dance performances ever in Bali. Spearheaded by Didik Nini Thowok, a former student of Gung Raka Saba (one of the greatest Legong teachers last century) in conjunction with Anak Agung Rai Saba, Ace Robin and Nunik Anurningsih supported by Maharani Records, four major legong dances were performed.

It began with Condong, followed by Bapang (performed by Didik and Dewi, a Senior teacher as well), Lasem Lengkap, Chandra Kanta and Semara Dhana. The dancers were, I assume, all from Saba (now, watch I¹ll be told they were all from ISI!). Aside from being in Legong heaven, the Pelegongan gamelan was sweet and superb (all new I was told) with most of the musicians younger rather than older, which is a tribute to the regeneration efforts in Saba.

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Location

Puri Taman Saba was nestled within Puri Saba compound. Since 1951 descendant of late I Gusti Gede Raka lived there. Arie Smit was also closed friends of late I Gusti Gede Raka that often visited Puri Taman Saba.

It was lovely evening; stage set up was perfect with Kori Agung in the middle, Semar Pegulingan orchestra on left and right side decorated with plaited coconut leave. Near by the stage there was water garden where you can find small building in the middle – this is why this Puri called “Taman” means garden.

However, all of sudden was starting drizzling as it was performed in open stage so the host committee decided to move the performance to indoor stage which was next to open stage.

History

Based on the desire to preserve and to document Legong Saba style which is disappearing from the public, Didik Nini Thowok, Anak Agung Rai Saba, Ace Robin and Nunik Anurningsih supported by Maharani record have worked together to create tonight’s performance. With the intention to reintroduce this Sabastyle Legong and pass it on to the next generation.

A summary of the Legong Saba history, Legong was derived from Legong Keraton which was created at the beginning of the 19 century in Sukawati. This dance was then spread out to Saba, Peliatan and different parts of Bali. When Legong Keraton came to Saba in 1911 it was led by I Gusti Gede Oka and succeeded by I Gusti Bagus Jelantik who has a significant role in nurturing base dance and made it well known in 1930. I Gusti Gede Raka who was better known as Anak Agaung Raka Saba took over the leadership after I Gusti Bagus Jelantik passed away. During his tour he managed to introduce Legong Saba to different parts of the world such as Italy in 1980, London 1985, Germany 1991 and France in 1987 and 1995, however in Bali itself this Legong Saba has started to disappear. Anak Agung Raka passed away in 2000 and he was succeeded by his son I Gusti Ngurah Serama Semadi better known as Agung Rai Saba who had already been appointed and trained in 1979 to take over his father’s role.

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