| PURNAMA SARI BALINESE DANCE COMPANY |
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Purnama Sari’s lecture begins with an overview of Balinese-Hinduism and explores the relationship between the
former and dance. The lecture also examines Balinese dance from a cross-cultural perspective and archetypal
psychology. The root of Balinese dance is traced to “Gambuh”, the ancient dance-drama that has been in existence
for 500 years. Gambuh was developed from court dances of Java, Indonesia, which were highly influenced by Indian
Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism. Thus, Balinese dance is originally a rich alchemy of Hinduism, Buddhism, and native
animism. It keeps evolving under the influence of modernism.
former and dance. The lecture also examines Balinese dance from a cross-cultural perspective and archetypal
psychology. The root of Balinese dance is traced to “Gambuh”, the ancient dance-drama that has been in existence
for 500 years. Gambuh was developed from court dances of Java, Indonesia, which were highly influenced by Indian
Hinduism and Tantric Buddhism. Thus, Balinese dance is originally a rich alchemy of Hinduism, Buddhism, and native
animism. It keeps evolving under the influence of modernism.
| Copyright © 2009 Purnama Sari Balinese Dance Company. All rights reserved. |
“Balinese dance as you present it, invites us to vary our perspective to one of presence and beauty. You have
mastered the skills needed to present such a work and in doing so take us on a cultural tour.”
Susan Slack
Executive Director
Open Circle Players
mastered the skills needed to present such a work and in doing so take us on a cultural tour.”
Susan Slack
Executive Director
Open Circle Players
Workshop & Lecture
For the Balinese, dance is not only a form of entertainment but a
sacred ritual to please the deities and ancestors, as well as the
medium for traveling between “Sekala”, the world of form, and
“Niskala”, the world of spirits. Purnama Sari’s dance workshop
focuses on the mysticism behind the dance rather than just
teaching particular movement and dance techniques. It is a
spiritual experiment through which participants explore the beliefs
and worldview of Balinese-Hinduism. This is the unique blend of
Hindu Brahmanism, Tantric Buddhism, and native animism, with
ancestor worship and magico-religious rituals. The core
philosophy of Balinese-Hinduism is to maintain the balance of
opposite forces, such as “yin and yang”, ‘male and female”, and
“good and evil”. This principle is beautifully reflected in Balinese
dance, where movements are repeated on the right and left sides
to establish harmony. Workshop participants are invited to try
basic Balinese dance movements that require dancers to
constantly shift their weight from one foot to the other,
demonstrating human control over imbalance. Participants also
learn how Balinese dancers utilize the unique eye movement called
“Seledet” and experience the challenge of conscious gazing to
disperse spiritual energy through the eyes.
For the Balinese, dance is not only a form of entertainment but a
sacred ritual to please the deities and ancestors, as well as the
medium for traveling between “Sekala”, the world of form, and
“Niskala”, the world of spirits. Purnama Sari’s dance workshop
focuses on the mysticism behind the dance rather than just
teaching particular movement and dance techniques. It is a
spiritual experiment through which participants explore the beliefs
and worldview of Balinese-Hinduism. This is the unique blend of
Hindu Brahmanism, Tantric Buddhism, and native animism, with
ancestor worship and magico-religious rituals. The core
philosophy of Balinese-Hinduism is to maintain the balance of
opposite forces, such as “yin and yang”, ‘male and female”, and
“good and evil”. This principle is beautifully reflected in Balinese
dance, where movements are repeated on the right and left sides
to establish harmony. Workshop participants are invited to try
basic Balinese dance movements that require dancers to
constantly shift their weight from one foot to the other,
demonstrating human control over imbalance. Participants also
learn how Balinese dancers utilize the unique eye movement called
“Seledet” and experience the challenge of conscious gazing to
disperse spiritual energy through the eyes.
