BALINESE ART and PERFORMING ARTS
It is said that Bali is the island where all magic originated, and perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in their works of art. The Balinese have no word for art or artist, the beauty that they produce is considered part of everyday life and is centred around their religion. Bali is one of the most culturally rich places on earth where spirituality and beauty pervade everything. Tradition and rituals are not only important, but are time-honoured practices. Music is always in the air and there are continuous festivals, dances and celebrations which the Balinese perform to please their gods.
After the Majapahit warriors subdued Bali in the 14th century, Javanese mini-principalities and courts soon appeared everywhere, creating the unique blend of court and peasant culture which is Bali – highly sophisticated, dynamic and lively. Bali's unique way of life and tradition are a mixture of so many influences - from the early history with animistic belief, the influences of Chinese and Indian culture and faith, the classical Javanese kingdom to the influence of today's age of tourism. The root of this influence is their Hindu religion which permeates every aspect of Balinese life. The arts, custom and tradition are an act of offering, a display of their gratitude to God. Nearly every Balinese is an artist in some way.
Balinese arts, especially the performing arts, are inseparable from their religion. A small offering of food and flowers must precede even dances for tourists. Before performing, many dancers pray at their family shrines, appealing for holy taksu (inspiration) from the gods. In this rural tradition, the people say that peace and harmony depend on protection by the gods and the ancestors.
As well as their use in religious ceremonies, performing arts also have a strong religious content. It is often such that drama is the preferred medium through which the Balinese cultural tradition is transmitted.
Art is not limited to performances. Living on an island with plentiful trees and rocks, the Balinese are great sculptors too. Their wood-carvings in sandalwood are world famous, and the beauty that they create in stone is amazing.
In Indonesian tradition, painting is not an art in itself: it is a complement to other creative arts. For instance, it may serve as colouring for a carved wooden panel that will be part of the ornamentation for a temple or palace, or it may be used to bring masks and puppets to life. It was only in the 1930s, with the encouragement of westerners who settled in Bali, that painting came to be seen as a distinct art form.
We have created tours to Bali that will inspire you. Working with Balinese artists will open up a whole new level of creation. Here you will find life goes on at a soothingly slow pace, and in this unbelievably lush environment there is inspiration for your creativity all around you. We will spend time in Ubud, the heart of art and culture in Bali. This is their Santa Fe, flourishing with outstanding painters, batik artisans, musicians and dancers, wood and stone carvers. Ubud is nestled in the heart of the island, a harmonious countryside carved out by green valleys, deep gorges and terraced rice fields. This is the ideal place to discover the richness and complexity of the Balinese culture. From here we will explore the surrounding area, packed with ornate temples, ancient remains and arts and crafts centers.
Every civilization moves up the 'hierarchy of needs', from basic survival to trying to answer the eternal question of why we are here. The Balinese seem to have made it to the last step long ago, and art was their answer. We hope you enjoy your journey exploring the finest in Balinese art and performances.
