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Bali Travel: The Undying Balinese Arts

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The island of Bali is literally a very beautiful island situatedunder the equator in Indonesian Archipelago, is one of the mostinteresting and ultimate tourist destination in Asia. Since thefirst decade of the 20th century visitors have given to itseveral nicknames "Island of Gods" - "Island of thousandTemples" - "The Last Paradise" - and also often called "Islandof Artist". The spirit of creativity pervades everything in Balinese life,from the cultivation of the steeply-terraced rice field to theelaborate temple offerings of flowers and foods given to thegods at times of celebration. Dancing, playing the gamelan,painting and carving is as much a part of an ordinary day asworking in the offices, in the fields or feeding livestock. In ancient times, the people of the Indonesian Archipelagofollowed the ways of animism and ancestor worship. By aroundA.D. 600 however, Indian ideas and beliefs began to spreadthroughout Southeast Asia. Both Buddhism and Hinduism becameactive force on the islands of Sumatra and Java. When Islamgained control of Java in the 16th century, many Hindu princes,their followers and artisans fled to Bali. They establishedprincipalities on Bali. The earliest art of Bali dates from this pre-Hindu era,including highly of decorative works of bronze, as well asskilled basketworks and weaving. During the Hindu era, theprinces and their relatives were the patronage of the nativearts of Bali, and also sustained by the guiding rituals of itsreligion. The palaces and temples, as political and religiouscenter of the island, were also centers of the arts. A prince would adorn his pavilions with the most exquisitelycarved wood panels, paintings, silken materials, gildedumbrellas and would be entertained by gamelan music, dances andsongs of poetical Kawi language. The opulence of the court - hadits religious parallel in the lavish decoration and danceswithin the temples. So the courts and the temples have beenreceiving equal high performance in art. This convergence of beauty and ritual explains why the arts haveendured to such a great extent in Bali. Ritual demanded acontinuous renewal of communion with the divine through templecelebrations. The people poured their artistic talents intopreparations of these occasions. New offerings have to be made,new shrines constructed, new statues of stones and woods have tobe carved, dances, music and dramas created and practiced. Thiskept carvers and masons constantly occupied creating newsculptures or retouching older ones. The Balinese language has no words for "art" and "artist". Informer times there had been no need for such


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definitions. Artwas never considered a conscious production for its own sake.Rather, it was regarded as a collective obligation to make thingbeautiful. And this was always done with a definite purpose: tocreate beauty in service to society and religion. Thus a"figure-maker" or "picture-maker" as well as a farmer ormerchant, he was called upon when his skills were needed. Heneither signed his name to his work, nor received money for hislabor. His prime aim was to serve his community. As was true inthe olden days, the majority of Bali's artists are highlyskilled craftsmen who learned their trade by mastering thetraditional forms inherited from their forefathers. In the first decade of the 20th century, the Dutch took theisland, and Bali entered a new era as a colony of theNetherlands. Western education, modern technology, magazines,and a steady tourist trade opened up a new world for manyBalinese, and this widening of outlook was reflected in thearts. For the first time, craftsmen began to treat their work asart for art's sake, experimenting in new style, themes andmedia. With the arrival of the Western influence, the rigidconventions of the traditional style were no longer binding.Instead of illustrating stories from the great Hindu epics, someBalinese artists began to depict scenes of everyday life andnature in their work. The present art community has twocriteria: (a) a work of art is praiseworthy in the eyes offellow Balinese, or (b) it appeals to the foreign market and issold. To day the traditional and modern arts can be viewed at variousplaces: Museum Bali in Denpasar presents a commendable survey ofBalinese art from prehistoric times to the early 20th centuryand modern arts. Werdi Budaya Arts Center in Denpasar offersexhibitions and sales of local handicrafts and hand loomedfabrics. Tohpati for fine batiks. Celuk for silver and goldworks. Mas for excellent woodcarvings. Ubud is the heart of artsand cultures, home of the most talented painters. And Klungkungfor the traditional paintings and silver works. So if you are interested in arts, do not hesitate to choose thisenchanting island for your Bali Vacation. It also has very nicebeaches, hotels, fabulous nature's views, friendly people and ofcourse excellent foods. Go online and search your preferred Balihotels or contact your reputable travel agent. Ciao readers, my immense thank to you all. About the author: Made Dertha was an English and Italian tour guide for many yearsin Bali, writes for Bali Turista Tours where he is the ManagingDirector now. Bali Turista is focusing on Bali hotels and villasreservation. Just visit www.baliturismo.com

Written by: Made Dertha

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