Topeng Dance

 A mask dance where the dancers have to imitate the character represented by mask. A full collection of Topeng masks may number 30 or 40. Closely liriked to religious ceremonies and processions, and danced as a ritual interval, the Topeng dance ultimately takes on a sacred connotation. As a matter of fact, foreigners are allowed to see the dance only if they behave appropriately and respectfully. Actually, some performances are staged only for the benefit of the tourists, but do not enjoy the same following of the Barong and Kecak dances. Peculiar components of the Topeng dance are the masks used to hide the faces of the dancers. Specific attributes are used, instead, to identify the characters (a mustache and thick eyebrows for the elder, arrogance and defiance for Patih, and so on). The rhythm of movements (perfectly in accordance to the age and role of the character) is underscored by a large orchestra, the gamelan, which is essential for the success of the performance.

The Gracious Legong Dance

The Gracious Legong Dance

This Bali dance of Legong (balih-balihan dance) is without any doubt the most gracious of all the dances. The dance is accompanied by the beautiful sounds of the gamelan.
The Legong dancers are often young girls around 8 to 10 years old and selected from the village for their beauty and suppleness.
They will perform the legong till puberty and then start dancing other types of traditional Bali dances.The Legong Keraton is performed by three dancers, two of them are the Legongs and the other is known as Condong.

The Legons are wearing identical costumes with tightly bound gold brocades and their faces are made up with detail to the eyebrows and their hair decorated with beautiful frangipani flowers.
Their movements are choreographed in detail with the twisting of the fingers, hands, feet and facial expression. This Bali dance is worth watching.
The Legong Kraton tells the story of a king, who kidnaps a maiden called Rangkesari. Her brother begs the king to let her free rather than to go to war.
The king ignores his begging and is on his way to the battleground when he meets a bird that brings ill omens. He ignores the bird and continues to meet Rangkesari’s brother on the battleground, who kills him.

The Pendet Dance

The Pendet dance (bebali dance) has its origin in bringing offerings to the gods and everybody with a dance education is able to dance the Pendet.

Nowadays the first Bali dance before the Legong dance is the Pendet. Here the dancers welcome the spectators with throwing flowers into the audience.

Bali Dance - The Sanghyang Dance

The Sanghyang dance (wali dance) is often performed in combination with other dances such as the Kecak dance.
At the end of the Ramayana story one man is in a trance. He performs the Sanhyang Jaran trance dance and rides on a wooden horse kicking burning coconut shells around.
The Sanghyang dance is there to protect the village of dark powers and is often performed when things go bad and to prevent more misfortune.
At the end of the Sanghyang dance a priest helps him to come out of the trance and the performance ends.

Bali Dance - The Oleg Tambulilingan

The Oleg Tambulilingan (balih-balihan dance) is a graceful love dance between a flower and a bumblebee.
The female dancer resembles the flower and dances gracefully to attract the bumble bee.
The bumble bee is danced by a male dancer and half-way through the performance they dance together in a seducing and teasing way.

Bali Dance - Wayang Kulits

Shadow Puppets - Wayang Kulits

Wayang Kulit, is an Indonesian shadow puppet play, which uses intricately made and beautifully painted, gilded leather puppets. Although only the puppets' shadows are seen by the audience, the performances are fascinating. The stories told by shadows are often from the spirit world and are full of symbolism and mysticism.

A single, highly skilled puppeteer controls hundreds of puppets; plays out the roles of different characters with a different voice for each character; and leads the traditional musicians.
Wayang kulit plays can play for several hours or be several days long.