Ministry of Cultural and Tourism Affair planned to register one of Balinese dance, Baris Gede Dance, to UNESCO (United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). It is one of Indonesian native dance live in Bali. The dance, according to the plan will be proposed to UNESCO this year.

Baris Gede dance registered to UNESCO is purely dedicated to Bali art and cultural protection. Besides the registration also has function to avoid other countries claim that Bali origin dance.

Minister of Cultural and Tourism Affair, Jero Wacik in his statement in Tampaksiring Gianyar (July 26) said that the registration of Baris Gede Dance to UNESCO is still in data gathering and dance historical documentary.

The phases has function to assuring UNESCO that that dance is truly born in Bali and created by Balinese people.

“We need complete data therefore when they propose varied questions we already have the information needed,” said Jero Wacik.

Minister of Cultural and Tourism Affair, Jero Wacik, mentioned that aside Baris Gede Dance, moreover, Ministry of Cultural and Tourism Affair will registered Angklung and Saman Dance to UNESCO.

Some other Indonesian dances also have entering UNESCO registration scheduled list and planned will be conducted stage by stage.

News by Berita Bali

He says the importance of artist registered their artworks is in order to protect it if there is people claimed their work as happened lately with Malaysia, which they claimed the copyright of Pendet Dance, thus, we will have strong legal base. “The artists should registered their copyright not in its solid form only but they also make the description clearly inform the art concept. For instance, an artist make 100 paintings, then he or she should registered the copyright for that 100 paintings,” he said.

The artist should explained the making technique of those 100 paintings, its line, style, etc. so people could see its originality if there are people try to copy or fabricate their works. For instance, Bandem said, nowadays people could express their works whilst looking to other artist idea and artworks. “He is allowed to find inspiration from other art then he will pour his own idea into his own works differently thereafter he could sign it so there is no one could accuse him for counterfeit someone copyright, ” he said.

Copyright definition, he continued, is comprehensive, not merely involving the shape, but also detail such as the style, color, lighting technique and more. “With registered copyright, we can see which one is the real one,” said Bandem who already stay in US for three years and become art lecturer there.

That is why, Bandem continued, the local government could become the bridge for the realization of copyright association especially an organization that could protect and preserving numerous traditional art in Bali. Art have lots of knowledge and belong to group of people or community therefore data record is necessary. Bandem viewed that artworks belongs to people need immediate inventory so fast effective moves can conduct if there is party who want to fabricate it or claim certain artworks belong to us.

News by Bali Post

Traditional dances that until today still preserve by Balinese people has entering the nomination for inscription into United Nation or precisely to United Nation Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

“Thus, make ISI Denpasar together with other institutions conduct research and planning for preservation project for these Balinese traditional dances,” said ISI Denpasar Rector, Prof. Dr. I Wayan S. MA., in a press conference with Antara, Denpasar, on Thursday.

He mentioned that the research would conduct together with Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affair, Bali Provincial Government as well as Bali Cultural Agency with the support from the community involved with traditional dance.

According to him, the nomination team has recorded some traditional dance in Bali, such as Legong Keraton Lasem since in the middle of June. The nomination team also has mapping the dispersal of traditional Balinese dances.

“Dance in Bali can be divided into three, which is wali, bebali and balih-balihan that has already represented by several dances. Those dances will represent all traditional dances in Bali,” he said.

He confessed that the mapping would bring good impact especially in protecting Balinese classical dances so there will be no claim toward those dances from other country.

“Besides mapping through documentation at ISI Denpasar, we also recorded the dancing studios that helped preserve those classic dances,” he said.

Cited Harry Waluyo statement, the leader of this nomination team, Rector ISI confessed that the submission of those traditional Balinese dances as UNESCO inscription will give some benefits such as attract world attention toward the existence of Balinese culture.

“Besides, the inscription also would strengthening the local culture and tribal cultural identity, developing national and state awareness toward their own cultural inheritance including stimulate them to preserve it through transmission to the young generation,” he said.

News by Antara Bali

“Those nine cultural groups come from six different countries since there are countries who send more than one cultural group,” said the coordinator of PKB committee for foreign cultural performance, I Ketut Arcana in Denpasar, Thursday.

He said that Japan send two cultural groups that is “Wyahita” and “Sidhamoyako” Tokyo, two contingents from India as well as with United State.

Other countries are Sweden, Canada and France each with one cultural group, said Ketut Arcana whom also the head of Filming and Authorization division of Bali Governmental Cultural Agency.

He added, that the foreign cultural team had communicated through e-mail with PKB committee soon after the 31st cultural activities in 2009 ended.

It showed situation progress in which on previous years PKB conducted, the communication entwined on March precisely three months before PKB hold in Bali.

This progress also showed that lots of foreign cultural team get interested enliven the artisans party in Bali.

Arcana confessed that the involvement of foreign cultural group in PKB every year is fluctuating. In 2009 there were 14 foreign cultural teams performed at this annual cultural activities in Bali.

In 2008 there were 18 groups and 12 group in 2007, among them are Japan, US, Singapore, India, South Korea, Thailand, England and Malaysia.

Ketut Arcana also added that the early communication with those foreign cultural groups could ease the committee in arranging performance schedule.

During one month PKB implementation there will be 180 times exhibition at least involve 15.000 artisans from eight regencies and one capitol city in Bali.

There are also foreign artists as well as those come from varied areas in Indonesia in order to cultivate Balinese moral as well as raised local people interest at art field.

Besides could compose better cooperative relationships which beneficial for both parties at recent times and for the future, said Ketut Arcana.

News by Antara Bali

“Shie Jit Thien Sang Sen Muk” or birth celebration of Island Trading God at Caow Eng Bio in Tanjung Benoa wil be held from May 6th to 9th, 2010.

According to this event committee, the ceremony will be led by three Bio Kong or priests and followed by Konghucu, Tao and Budha people from all around Bali and several cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta and Surabaya.

“Besides, they also would invite Hindu and Moslem people around Tanjung Benoa attended the event as manifestation of brotherhood and inter-religious harmony,” explained the head of this ceremony as well as the Pagoda Board, Liong Siu Yang who got Balinese name Nyoman Suyanti Adiartha.

Besides held for praying at the pagoda in that ceremony also there will be “Shie Jit Thien Sang Sen Muk” as well as “Ci Suak” ritual at pagoda area.

“We will held Ci Suak or in Balinese called mebayuh – throw away bad luck – Until today there is one thousand invitation had been sent. This Ci Suak massive ceremony will be held every morning until late at night from May 6th to 9th,” Nyoman Suyanti explained (May 5th).

In order to follow this massive “Ci Suak” ritual, every participant charged Rp 100.000. Besies Konghucu, Tao and Budha, people of other faith who get interested in this ritual also pleased to join.

“The charge from Ci Suak ritual comes from the participants, all that gathered fund will be donated to Caow Eng Bio Pagoda Foundation for the Temple structuring and maintenance,” he added.

“Shie Jit Thien Sang Sen Muk” ceremony at Caow Eng Bio Temple of Tanjung Benoa also colored by the making of giant golden lion for about 3 meter height and 5 meter length.

“That giant golden lion has the same material with the making of ogoh-ogoh. During the ceremony, the fur from that giant golden lion statue will be shared to people who comes. The fur is believed could stand as a charm and bring luck,” said the Pagoda’s care taker head.

Caow Eng Bio Pagoda of Tanjung Benoa, Badung Regency Bali, is one of the oldest pagoda in Bali. This Pagoda is estimated built in 16 BC.

This temple built by Chinese ancestor in Tanjung Benoa, they came to Bali from China as trader.

News by Berita Bali

That Puspawangi dance could make patients at Kure Medical Centre Hospital who becoming tag at restrain their pain for a snatched into smile and admiration toward the graceful dancers together with its amazing gamelan music as they performed on Friday (April 30) at Kure Medical Center Hospital Japan.

Besides performing Puspawangi Dance, they also performed Tari Topeng – Masked Dance – to entertain most of elderly and medical staff at that hospital.

Head of Jembrana cultural team, I Made Sudiada when contacted via telephone said that all patients and medical teams were quite impressed with Puspawang and Topeng Dance performed with kind of Jembrana music typical, known as Jegog.

Sudiada said that the dance even reported by famous Japanese journalist as well as Japanese photographer who did not want to waste captured the moments.

Sudiada mentioned, according to one of the viewer comment, Bali had famous in that Sakura land, but not all Japanese could go there. With the arrival of the performers itself to their country at least they could feel that they had once went to Bali.

“They really appreciate Balinese culture, it proved through their warm welcome,” Sudiada said.
Puspawangi and Topeng dance performance at Kure Medical Centre was part of Jembrana art and cultural tour mission into Japan that every year conducts Hiroshima Flower Festival. The festival itself had begun from April 28 up to May 7th 2010. Jembrana-Bali cultural team never missed that international event.

News by Berita Bali

The workshops of Balinese carved door at Batubulan village Gianyar, that is belong to Ketut Pradnya has 75 carving labors who had operated since 1987.

The making of Balinese carving door is begin with design drawing onto a plain wooden door. Drawing motive that will be drawn onto the door is full of Balinese motives such as patra, flowers, wayang up to exclusive motives based on customer order.

After went through drawing process, the door made from teak wood will get starting through carving phase. The carving process would use various size chisels according its shape and design.

“The making of one Balinese carving door is depend on its size. Level of difficulties also influenced the finishing length,” said Nyoman Sari, the operational manager of this carving business.

After it finish, one Balinese carving door is entering the market area starting from IDR 9 million up to IDR 100 million. Per month profit would be between IDR 200 to 500 million.

“Our carving wood production also get order by art lover from several cities in Indonesia. Besides had Indonesian marketing, the Balinese carving door also bought by foreign art collector from Asia, Europe until USA.”

News by Berita Bali

Committee of 32nd Pesta Kesenian Bali (PKB) – Bali Art Festival – will limit number of participant outside Bali or in other word from several areas in Indonesia with maximum 11 provinces.

That limitation is made considering that most of regencies/cities and provincial government in Indonesia interesting to take part in enliven PKB festival that will be held for one month, starting from June 12 to July 10 2010, said head of Cultural Agency of Bali Province, Dr. Ida Bagus Sudhawa in Denpasar, on Friday.

He asserted, “Domestic art delegation still be given the opportunity but the number will be limited.”

Besides contingents come from varied areas in Indonesia, foreign cultural team would also participate in this festival.

Until today it had recorded that art group from seven countries will join the party for artists in the island of God.

Ida Bagus Sudhawa explained that the limitation of participants outside Bali, especially for small industry and household crafts exhibition as one of PKB five agendas due to the limited space.

For cultural parade, he said, the time is very limited. The same with performance session, it needs schedule arrangement so it would not collide with local artist performance.

Sekaa – cultural group – in Bali are eight regencies and one city since a long time had prepared everything to perform in PKB stage.

For one month the festival will fill with one hundred and eighty performances involve at least 15.000 best artists from eight regencies and one city in Bali.

The performance is one of the five annual cultural activities agenda proposed by Bali cultural observer, Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra in 1978.

“The other fourth activities covers cultural parade, competition, gathering as well as small industry and household craft exhibition,” said Ida Bagus Subhawa.

News by Antara Bali

Winner announcement of this ogoh-ogoh competition went through familial atmosphere. Moreover, when the committee announce the result of juries examinations, all delegations give applause each time the winner of their respective category announced.

The succeed of ST. Dharma Yowana as the first winner was after gained 6.335 point from the seventh juries. Meanwhile, the second and the third place respectively won by ST. Yowana Saka Bhuana, Br. Taensiat Denut District with 6.325 points and ST. Werdi Sesana, Br. Tege, Denut District with 6250 points.
Meanwhile for the fourth, fifth and six places won by ST. Swastika Br. Pekambingan, ST. Br. Gemeh and ST. Eka Cita Br Abian Kapas Kaja.

In this occasion, City Secretary, Rai Iswara said his gratitude to all of youth organization or known as sekaa teruna as they participating in ogoh-ogoh contest that highly hold sportive and tolerance spirit so the competition could run smoothly, safe and orderly. “Honestly, I’m very impressed with the creation of young generation nowadays in Denpasar,” he said.

News by Berita Bali

As in Banjar Lelangon, Denpasar, on Sunday that had finished their ogoh-ogoh making in the form of evil monster in the middle of a fight with a giant tiger, is ready to parade around the village at “Pengrupukan” night.

Denpasar City government also had finished judged 318 ogoh-ogoh that will be parade on Monday night (March 15) before Nyepi day conducted. The judges in this ogoh-ogoh competition come from various communities, starting from sculpture artist, Hindu expert and any other communities.

According to one of Banjar Lelangon citizen in Denpasar, the tiger symbolize good power, the winner against evil power. All this time, monster always become the main theme for ogoh-ogoh parade. Meanwhile, at Banjar Tainsiat neighborhood with Banjar Lelangon, the identical ogoh-ogoh made by that area also made artistically and impressing the duel of two powers as its personified floating in the air, also ready to be paraded on “Pengerupukan” ritual.

Banjar Tainsiat ogoh-ogoh is dominated by the form of a giant monster of various shades with “Styrofoam” as its material. This material is very useful, since we could shape it at will, according to the need and light enough. We just need to give wire or steel framework, so those two giants could connect each other and hide shapes that won’t to be seen to the viewers,” said Made Suci on of that banjar citizen.

Hindu in Bali conducting series of Nyepi ritual welcoming New Year Saka Year 1932 or well known as Nyepi day on Tuesday, March 16th. It began with Melasti – went to the sea for purifications ceremony – for two days since Saturday (March 13) in order to purifying the nature and souls. This ritual conducted in numbers of beach such as at Padanggalak Beach and Sanur Beach.

Before, there are 318 ogoh-ogoh made by sekeha (group) Teruna-Teruni (STT) – youth – at district level around Denpasar city were judged.

The secretary of Cultural Agency in Denpasar, I Nyoman Suastama previously stated that those 318 ogoh-ogoh were judged in a competition celebrating Denpasar 58th Annual Anniversary.

According to Suastama, the evaluation conducted on February 26 up to 28 involved six judges led by I Komang Astita. From that 108 ogoh-ogoh, only 24 of them could went through second examination on Pengerupukan night on March 15 2010 competing for I, II, III winner and hopes I, II, III.

Those ogoh-ogoh ready to parade on Pengrupukan night, at day they will put on view in front each banjar office or at the roadside as it was that ogoh-ogoh manufacturing location.

News by ANTARA Bali