Purnama Sari Balinese Dance Company performs
for East Hawaii Cultural Center
By Isaac Frazer
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo hosted a day of drama and
mysticism through the art of dance on March 14, with stunning
performances by Surapsari Megumi and Sampranata Pablo of the
Purnama Sari Balinese Dance Company.
The duo performed their cultural dances for an intimate crowd in the
upper theatre space. The colorful, jeweled costumes matched with
elaborately decorated masks and headdresses brought a vibrant
and curious energy to the audience members.
"Through our performance, we intend to convey the intricate beauty
and mystery of Balinese culture," Surapsari Megumi said.
Balinese dance was created and has been performed as the offering
to the Deities of Bali. The dance also helps celebrate the rich culture
and history or the Balinese people.
for East Hawaii Cultural Center
By Isaac Frazer
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo hosted a day of drama and
mysticism through the art of dance on March 14, with stunning
performances by Surapsari Megumi and Sampranata Pablo of the
Purnama Sari Balinese Dance Company.
The duo performed their cultural dances for an intimate crowd in the
upper theatre space. The colorful, jeweled costumes matched with
elaborately decorated masks and headdresses brought a vibrant
and curious energy to the audience members.
"Through our performance, we intend to convey the intricate beauty
and mystery of Balinese culture," Surapsari Megumi said.
Balinese dance was created and has been performed as the offering
to the Deities of Bali. The dance also helps celebrate the rich culture
and history or the Balinese people.
Today this is still the case in Bali, as every temple anniversary is
celebrated with sacred dances. The art form of Balinese dance is
also an integral part of the Balinese village lifestyle and everyday
entertainment, as well as a very important aspect of their spiritual life.
"We carefully follow the traditions of prayers and purification rituals
connected to the dances to better deliver a genuine presentation.
The dancers and stage are purified with holy water before the
performance. The dancers pray for a harmonious performance
without interference from the 'Buta-kala', forces of the underworld,"
Surapsari Megumi said.
Balinese dance goes as far back as Balinese written history, with
much of the heritage originating from Java. The stories that are told
in the dance convey this long history and depict cultural events and
activities that happened along the way. Even everyday life is
represented in the dance.
"Each dance piece is not an expression of the dancer's creativity or
inner world. The Balinese dancer needs to become a vessel to
accommodate the particular archetype of the dance. In this way, the
audience witnesses 'Niskala', the world of spirits, through 'Sekala',
the dancer's body," Surapsari Megumi said. "Balinese dance holds a
power to awaken the viewer to his/her inner world. It is always very
touching to meet those in our audience who are deeply affected by
our work."
celebrated with sacred dances. The art form of Balinese dance is
also an integral part of the Balinese village lifestyle and everyday
entertainment, as well as a very important aspect of their spiritual life.
"We carefully follow the traditions of prayers and purification rituals
connected to the dances to better deliver a genuine presentation.
The dancers and stage are purified with holy water before the
performance. The dancers pray for a harmonious performance
without interference from the 'Buta-kala', forces of the underworld,"
Surapsari Megumi said.
Balinese dance goes as far back as Balinese written history, with
much of the heritage originating from Java. The stories that are told
in the dance convey this long history and depict cultural events and
activities that happened along the way. Even everyday life is
represented in the dance.
"Each dance piece is not an expression of the dancer's creativity or
inner world. The Balinese dancer needs to become a vessel to
accommodate the particular archetype of the dance. In this way, the
audience witnesses 'Niskala', the world of spirits, through 'Sekala',
the dancer's body," Surapsari Megumi said. "Balinese dance holds a
power to awaken the viewer to his/her inner world. It is always very
touching to meet those in our audience who are deeply affected by
our work."
For many first-time viewers and other audience members, this performance has done just that. Keith Mensy of
Volcano said: "I found the performance so rewarding, healing and awesome. The costumes were terrific and
expressed something of Bali that I have never been aware of until this evening. This was the first time I have ever
seen Balinese dance. The beginning was really hypnotic and the dances really captured me toward the end."
Karen Kemp, an audience member from Chicago said: "I thought it was a wonderful cultural experience. I really
enjoyed it."
The Saturday performance was accompanied by a Friday seminar about "Balinese Spirituality and Beyond"
followed by a Balinese mask dance and shadow puppet theatre for children put on with a guest artist, Lee Michael
Walczuk, on Sunday.
The Purnama Sari Balinese Dance Company will be performing again this week and weekend at the lower Puna
venue called S.P.A.C.E. in Kalapana Seaview Estates. On March 19, Surapsari Megumi will invite participants to
explore Balinese mysticism through basic dance movement and rituals. No previous dance experience is necessary
and both men and women are welcome. The workshop fee is $12. On March 21, Purnama Sari will perform for
general audience with admission prices set at $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. Visit
http://www.PurnamaSariBali.com or send an e-mail to info@PurnamaSariBali.com for more information on the
upcoming events.
Volcano said: "I found the performance so rewarding, healing and awesome. The costumes were terrific and
expressed something of Bali that I have never been aware of until this evening. This was the first time I have ever
seen Balinese dance. The beginning was really hypnotic and the dances really captured me toward the end."
Karen Kemp, an audience member from Chicago said: "I thought it was a wonderful cultural experience. I really
enjoyed it."
The Saturday performance was accompanied by a Friday seminar about "Balinese Spirituality and Beyond"
followed by a Balinese mask dance and shadow puppet theatre for children put on with a guest artist, Lee Michael
Walczuk, on Sunday.
The Purnama Sari Balinese Dance Company will be performing again this week and weekend at the lower Puna
venue called S.P.A.C.E. in Kalapana Seaview Estates. On March 19, Surapsari Megumi will invite participants to
explore Balinese mysticism through basic dance movement and rituals. No previous dance experience is necessary
and both men and women are welcome. The workshop fee is $12. On March 21, Purnama Sari will perform for
general audience with admission prices set at $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. Visit
http://www.PurnamaSariBali.com or send an e-mail to info@PurnamaSariBali.com for more information on the
upcoming events.
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| PURNAMA SARI BALINESE DANCE COMPANY |
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