Balinese dance is a dance originating from Bali. Balinese dance does not always depend on the story line. The main purpose of Balinese dancers is to dance each stage of the movement and series with full expression. The beauty of Balinese dance is seen in abstract and beautiful movements. The best known Balinese dances include pendet, gambuh, lines, sanghyang and legong.
Balinese dance is mostly religious. Since the 1950s, with the rapid development of tourism, several dances have been performed on non-religious activities with some modifications.
Category
Balinese dance can be categorized into three types, guardian (sacred) or bebali (ceremony) and balih (entertainment). Guardian and bebali dance can be danced at a certain place and time. The guardian dance is staged in the inner courtyard of the temple and the bebali dance in the middle courtyard (middle jaba). On the other hand, the dance of dance is danced in the courtyard outside the temple (jaba sides) in an entertainment program.
Three genres are represented by nine dances, which describe the functions and traditions of life in Balinese society, they are:
1. Wali
Wali dance is danced at every traditional ceremonial and Hindu religious activities in Bali. In the temple, this dance is performed in the innermost area of the temple (viscera). The types of dance include:
Rejang, a dance performed by women in groups in the temple courtyard during the ceremony. Rejang dance has simple and graceful movements.
Baris, a type of male dance, is danced with masculine movements. Derived from the word bebaris which means warrior, this dance is performed in groups, containing 8 to 40 dancers.
Pendet, is the opening dance ceremony at the temple. Dancers consisting of adult women dancing while carrying supplies offerings. The Pendet Dance Movement is more dynamic than the Rejang Dance. Now, Pendet has been danced for entertainment, especially as a welcoming dance.
Sanghyang Dedari is a dance that includes elements of possession to entertain the gods, ask for blessings and reject reinforcements.
Barong is a dance that tells the fight between good and evil. The main character is the barong, a mystic animal played by two male dancers, one plays the head and front legs, the other becomes the back foot and tail.
2. Bebali
Bebali is a type of ceremonial dance, usually performed in the central courtyard of the temple. This dance is between sacred and entertainment.
Gambuh (Klungkung), is the oldest Balinese ballet. The music, literature and vocabulary used in the dance were handed down from the Majapahit period on the island of Java. These shows are usually displayed at temples during major holidays and ceremonies.
Sidhakarya Mask / Pajegan Mask (Tabanan). Performed by masked dancers to neutralize evil spirits.
Wayang Wong, dance drama (Buleleng). Combining dance, epic drama and music.
3. Balih-Balihan
Balih-Balihan is a type of dance that is non-religious and tends to be entertaining. Displayed on the front page or outside the temple. Types:
Janger is a social dance performed by male and female dancers. The female dancer wears a golden peacock-shaped crown and decorations of dried coconut leaves. Most dances are performed in a sitting position, with movements of the hands, shoulders and eyes.
Kebyar or kebebyaran can be danced solo, duet, trio, group or in a ballet. This dance is accompanied by a gamelan gong kebyar game.
Legong is a dance created by Prince Sukawati based on his dream of seeing an angel. 3 legong dancers danced to the Semar Pagulingan gamelan.
Kecak is a rollicking dance that is performed at night around a campfire. Shown by a hundred or more men sitting, led by a priest in the middle. Kecak dance is not accompanied by music, but only the clapping of the palms hitting parts of the body to produce sound. They say the words “cak, cak, cak” to produce a unique choir.
Joged Bumbung (Buleleng). Social dance is popular by couples, during the harvest season or on important days.