The Balinese Gambuh Dances

The Gambuh is the oldest classical dance in Bali, probably introduced at the time of the Majapahit culture. At s hauntingly slow tempo, the gambuh dance drama tells episodes from the story of Panji's search for his beloved in the kingdoms of eastern Java. Now retained in only a few villages (notably Batuan and Pedungan), the gambuh combines the best of booth female and male Balinese dancing. An unusual feature is the use of long bamboo flutes instead of the complete set of gamelan and gongs. 

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See also other Balinese Dances: Balinese Kecak Dances  Balinese Barong Dances Balinese Pendet&Panyembrama Dances Balinese Kebyar Duduk Dances Balinese Joged Bumbung Dances  Balinese Topeng Dances Balinese Legong Keraton Dances Balinese Gambuh Dances Balinese Wayang Dances  Balinese Shadow Puppet Dances

The Balinese Legong Keraton Dances

The dynamic Legong Dance is the epitome of classical female Balinese dancing. A court dance, it was created in the  18th Century in the circles of the principality of Sukawati. Now including a variety of modern "free creations" (tari lepas), the legong is usually the first dance taught to beginners. Months of training are needed to master the perfect mix of posture(tangkep), movements and mimicry. Three dancers in glittering costumes - one condong lagi-in waiting and two princesses whose roles change according to the narrative - usually perform it. The ancient legong used to have a storyteller's accompaniment, but these days they are only dance performances.

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See also other Balinese Dances: Balinese Kecak Dances  Balinese Barong Dances Balinese Pendet&Panyembrama Dances Balinese Kebyar Duduk Dances Balinese Joged Bumbung Dances  Balinese Topeng Dances Balinese Legong Keraton Dances Balinese Gambuh Dances Balinese Wayang Dances  Balinese Shadow Puppet Dances

The Balinese Topeng Mask Dance

This mask dance relates the tales of Balinese and Javanese ancestors returning temporarily to inhabit the mask. Nowadays, the main stories, with their princes and clowns, are preceded by a set of solo mask dances for men - the "topeng keras", or dance of the "strong warrior", the "topeng tua" - a fantastic dance showing the advance of old age in the king's old counselor, and the "topeng dalem"- showing the king in all his glory with enough clowns to fill a circus.

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See also other Balinese Dances: Balinese Kecak Dances  Balinese Barong Dances Balinese Pendet&Panyembrama Dances Balinese Kebyar Duduk Dances Balinese Joged Bumbung Dances  Balinese Topeng Dances Balinese Legong Keraton Dances Balinese Gambuh Dances Balinese Wayang Dances  Balinese Shadow Puppet Dances

The Balinese Pendet & Panyembrama Dance

These dance are performed to welcome visiting gods, who are presented with offerings of flowers nowadays tourists are also showered with flowers.

Photos

See also other Balinese Dances: Balinese Kecak Dances  Balinese Barong Dances Balinese Pendet&Panyembrama Dances Balinese Kebyar Duduk Dances Balinese Joged Bumbung Dances  Balinese Topeng Dances Balinese Legong Keraton Dances Balinese Gambuh Dances Balinese Wayang Dances  Balinese Shadow Puppet Dances