Bali News

Children and teenagers in Bali is back to practice Pendet dance diligently once again after that welcoming dance that stands as the typical dance from the Island of God rudely claimed by the neighbor country, Malaysia.

It is proved by several cultural competition among children and teenager around Bali which involves 300 participants in Gianyar Bali performed Pendet dance as the excellent dance in that two days competition, said Kadek Suartaya, SS Kar, MSi., the lecturer in Institut Seni Denpasar (ISI) – Denpasar Art Institute – on Sunday.

He said, children and teenager as the delegation from eight regencies and one city in Bali performing Pendet dance in varied version.

The dance, which is a welcoming dance and inherited generation by generation in Bali, not stand as a mere welcoming dance welcome important guests in a ceremonial activity but also as the complement of ritual activity at temple as well as at family’s shrine.

Resurrection as well as children and teenager rapture in practicing Pendet dance is kind of refreshment since that dance had been mastered by lots such as children, teenagers and much older women.

“Malaysian claim toward this Pendet dance indirectly refresh People’s memory to perform this dance more,” said Kadek Suartaya who also known as art and cultural observer in Bali.

Suartaya, as one of doctoral candidate in cultural studies of Udayana University, valued, children and teenager even housewife at that “cultural warehouse” Gianyar regency want to feel the beauty of performing pendet dance on stage.

That is why children and teenager competition involve regencies and city in Bali at the first time been held by “Sanggar Blega” fully supported by Gianyar provincial government. This competition performed varied traditional dance with pendet as its main spot.

“The case where Malaysia claimed Pendet dance some time ago from its positive point side could resurrect enthusiasm and excitement toward our art and cultural inheritance,” said Kadek Suartaya.

News by Antara Bali