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With love from Bali
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The influence of the Ramayana and Mahabharata over the people and culture of Indonesia has been so tremendous that even children are familiar with every legend and character in these two epics.
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Drawing from a common tradition: a scene from the dance drama based on the Ramayana.
ART FORMS such as dance reflect life and nothing teaches one more about life than the two great epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, says Iwayan Rai, director of the State College of Indonesian Arts, Bali, Indonesia.
The 18-member troupe was in the city to perform traditional Balinese dance and music and especially to stage an hour-long dance-drama based on Ramayana under the auspices of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Indonesia has always had strong cultural ties with India, Mr. Rai points out. The influence of the Ramayana and Mahabharata over the people and culture of that country has been so tremendous that even little children are familiar with every legend and every character in these two epics.
The 18-member troupe includes dancers and musicians as well as those who do both. While the group's performance here was focused on the theme of Sita's kidnapping, the heroic feat of Hanuman in rescuing her and the return of Rama and Sita to Ayodhya, performances focusing on several sub-stories and legends are also popular, he points out.
``There are many kinds of performances based on the epics. `Wayang Kulit' is Ramayana enacted using puppets. Then there are other forms like `Wayang yong' and `Sentra tari', a dance-drama which has no dialogues, but which depends on narrators to take the story forward,'' Mr. Rai points out.
The performances give several interpretations of the epics, both traditional and modern. Ramayana and Mahabharata came to Indonesia ages ago and have exerted their influence on performing arts and fine arts like painting and sculpting. It is not uncommon to find shops with names like `Ramayana stores' or `Sita Arts' in Indonesia.
Rai, himself a lover of South Indian music, has been receiving training in playing the `mridangam' from teachers in Chennai. The Festival of India held last year in Indonesia had many renowned Indian artistes perform both classical and modern dance experiments and Kathakali, which were very much appreciated by the people. The Indian community has a strong presence in Bali. After the epics, the next popular Indian icon there is Shahrukh Khan!
``Bollywood movies are immensely popular in Bali and the movie `Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' is still talked about. When we planned this visit to India _ this is our first visit _ our girls wanted only one thing, sarees!'' Rai laughs. The troupe's performance here on Sunday had two distinct sections. While the first part was devoted to traditional Indonesian music and dance _ `Jaya Semara', `Sekar Jagat' ( a welcome dance by girls carrying silver bowl of flowers), `Topeng Tua' (a native dance in which performers wear masks) and `Tembang', vocal music accompanied by the orchestra, `Gamelan'.
The second part was dedicated to an hour-long dance-drama performance. The story takes one to the forest of Dandaka where Rama and Sita are living happily in exile. How Sita is kidnapped by Ravana, the heroic attempt of Jatayu to rescue her, the monkey kingdom of Kishkinda where Rama meets Hanuman, Hanuman in the Asoka gardens where Sita is held and the final combat between Rama and Ravana were performed by dancers wearing colourful Balinese costumes and dramatic make-up.
By Maya C.
Photo: K.G. Santthosh
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Life
Bangalore
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Coimbatore
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Madurai
Thiruvananthapuram
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