Bali Back to Dancing for Relaxation

The passion for art in Bali is gradually recovering as the Covid-19 pandemic reduces. Cultural tourism, especially the art of dance, was again shown after a hiatus of approximately two years due to the pandemic.

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Tourists watch the barong and keris dance performances at Sekaa Barong Eka Budhi, East Denpasar, Denpasar City, Tuesday (17/5/2022). Tourist spectacles in Denpasar and Bali are re-opened as the tourism sector moves.

The passion for art in Bali is gradually recovering as the COVID-19 pandemic slows down. Cultural tourism, especially in the performing arts, is back on show after a pause of approximately two years, due to the pandemic.

In a theatrical move, a group of men carrying kris ganged up on a scary-looking creature with long hair on the steps of the gate. The atmosphere was suddenly tense. Gamelan was played at a fast and rising tempo, adding to the intensity of suspense toward the climax of the Barong and kris dance performance, which depicts the eternal battle between good and evil.

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The scary-looking figure waved the white cloth he was carrying. Five shirtless men with unsheathed kris shouted. Instead of ganging up on Rangda (the scary-looking figure), the group of men armed with kris stabbed their own chests with the kris.

The tension subsided as the Barong, a fanged and bear-like creature, entered the stage. The Barong approached the five men who were stabbing their own chests with kris. The presence of the Barong was followed by a woman sprinkling water.

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A tourist spectacle characterized by Balinese culture was shown at Sekaa Barong Eka Budhi, East Denpasar, Denpasar City, Tuesday (17/5/2022).

Gamelan

The decreasing intensity of the gamelan marked the end of the Barong and kris dance performance on Eka Budhi's Sekaa Barong stage on Jl. Waribang, Denpasar, on Tuesday (17/5/2022).

For more than three decades, since 1990, the Barong and kris dance performance has been staged by Sekaa Barong Eka Budhi for tourists. The show, embodying Kun Tisraya's story, was held every day starting at 9:30 a.m. However, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourist spectacle had stopped being staged since 2020.

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As the COVID-19 pandemic situation improves, the government has eased many restrictions. This has had an impact on tourism in Bali.

"Since May 1, the Barong and kris dance performance at Sekaa Eka Budhi has been reactivated," said Ida Bagus Raka Pudjana, 75, manager of Sekaa Eka Budhi, on Thursday (12/5).

Still a small amount

The number of spectators who came was still small. Under normal conditions, before the pandemic, each Barong and kris dance performance was watched by an average of 200 guests. After being reactivated, starting in early May, the number of viewers has not yet reached half its former number.

Nevertheless, Cokorda Istri Budawati, 57, a dancer at Sekaa Eka Budhi, was still happy because the spectacle of Balinese tourism could again entertain tourists. "[Whether] witnessed by a few spectators or many spectators, we still feel happy and cheerful because we are back in performance," he said.

KOMPAS/COKORDA YUDISTIRA

Apart from being a hobby, dancing is also an activity that can improve health, relieve stress, and create feelings of comfort. A group of dancers performs the Cilinaya dance at the DNA Art and Creative Hub Building, Denpasar City, Friday (29/4/2022), in a series of celebrations for the 2022 World Dance Day..

Comfortable

David Hammond, 65, a traveler from England, admitted that he had been waiting for 18 months to be able to travel to Bali again. He has been fully vaccinated so he can travel to Indonesia.

"I feel more comfortable in Bali because the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Indonesia is getting better," said Hammond while visiting the Bali Museum in Denpasar on Tuesday (10/5).

Even though the COVID-19 situation is improving, young creator and dance artist from Kesiman Petilan, Denpasar, Ida Bagus Eka Harista, 24, hoped that people's compliance with health protocols would still be maintained.

Even though she was unable to perform during the COVID-19 pandemic’s most alarming moments, Eka continued to practice dance creations with four of her friends who were members of the Naluri Manca Art Group. For Eka, art is relaxation that gives peace.

I feel more comfortable in Bali because the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Indonesia is getting better.

"Dancing is a meditation in movement," said the graduate from a teacher training institute in Bali.

The same concept was conveyed by Made Suartini, 54, a dancer at Sekaa Barong Eka Budhi. For her, dancing is not just a way to earn a living, but also a means of therapy, exercise and entertainment. Dancing has become a part of her life because since childhood she has had a hobby of dancing.

"Therefore, now that the Barong and kris dance performance has begun again after a long absence, I feel happy," said Suartini, who has been with the Barong and kris dance group in Gianyar and Denpasar since the 1990s.

After performing the Barong and kris dance for 60 minutes at Sekaa Barong Eka Budhi, on Tuesday (17/5), sweat was visible on the bodies of Budawati, Suartini and other artists. However, they were still smiling and happy. The passion for dancing and a relaxing life radiates anew, as the pandemic situation improves.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.