The People of Bali

Art and Culture                                     

Gamelan clashes as the darkness is split by a myriad of oil lamps to reveal an impossibly beautiful girl resplendent in gold and red. She extends her fingers into amazing shapes as she angles her body and looks into your soul with striking eyes that flash with emotion. You're mesmerized and smitten for ever.
 
It's Ubud, Bali and from the moment you see the Legong dance of young Ayu it's forever etched in your memory
 
Ida Ayu Yuliastini
The Young Dancer

The smell of wood chips fills the air and we see the man himself staring intently at a block of wood as his chisel carves another beautiful mask. " Hello! I am Anom and welcome to my family home for the last 700 years" , he says. " Did you know, the wood talks to me, it tells me what type of mask it wants to be, a king, old man even a monkey". He places a mask over his face and suddenly takes on the attributes of the character.
 It's Mas, Bali and Anom's transformation creates a truly mesmerizing moment, never to be forgotten.
 
Ida Bagus Anom
The Mask Sculptor

"We , the Balinese are close to nature and when I express my concern about society and humanity through my painting I feel that I am representing the spirit of Bali and our unique relationship with the environment. Coupled with a quality of light and shadow in Bali like nowhere else on earth, it's not surprising that my work is full of vibrant colours... oh! sorry did I splash you with paint?"
 
Made, an internationally acclaimed painter with his studio in Ubud is full of passion and his work speaks for itself, but if you are lucky enough to see him paint watch out as sometimes his enthusiasm takes the paint in all directions.
 
I Made Sumadiyasa
The Artist

Anak Agung Ayu Dwara Wati Karangasem is a great granddaughter of the last king or Karangasem. She lives in Denpasar where she is studying to be a dentist.

Her aunt Anak Agung Mirah sasatrwati has played a big part in the well being of her large extended family, making sure the children are educated, and that they are all well versed in Balinese traditions and particularly in the family traditions of the Karangasem Puri. She has taught them respect for their heritage. so even though Haley now follows a more modern path, she can bridge the gap between ancient and modern between the traditional and the new. Her love for Bali and its special ways will stay with her forever.

AA Ayu Haley Dwara Wati Karangasem
The Princess

Kecak Rina is a legend in Bali as an innovative dancer of huge energy. His own Kecak troupe which plays at ARMA every full and dark moon is a highly original and charged performance, which differs from the Kecak dance created with the help of Walter spies in the 1930'.

He also dances many others traditional dances as well as creating new versions of older performances.

Kecak Rina
The Dancer

Stone Sculptur Wayan Cemul is one of Indonesia's national treasures. Even at 86 years old his spirit retains the youthfulness. Recognised as one of Bali's famous sculpturs, he was the sole student of sculptor Kadir  and develoved his own unique primitive style, encouraged by foreign luminaries like Donald Fried, Arie Smit, Han Snel and Rudolf Bonnet. He has been designing fancifull primitive art stone carvings for many years. His work graces galleries and gardens in many countries and his work has impacted many younger stone carvesr.

I Wayan has visitied other countries but will always return to Bali. Now his traveling days are almost over, but Bali will always be his home.   

Wayan Cemul
The Stone Carver

Perfectly balanced as she carefully traverses the thin grassy walls between the rice fields, Putu makes her way to school following the same beautiful route that she always takes. We watch as more immaculately dressed children appear from all directions and are amazed how they keep so clean and dry. as you pat your own dripping brow. "Hello mister! Are you Australian?" she asks " we learned about your country yesterday. Is it true that you all learn to surf at school?
 
Another precious encounter in the middle of nowhere leaving a lasting impression to treasure.

Putu Srijayanti
The Schoolgirl

"It's all about rice you know. A constant cycle of planting, harvesting and maintaining the fields to secure a steady supply of food for every village". This is what's shaped the whole island according to Mde Darmo, who is caught in the beautiful light of morning harnessing the power of his cows to turn another muddy mess into a field of dreams, and dreams it is without the blessing of Dewi, the rice goddess.
 
It all looks idyllic here in Gianyar but when you're up to your knees in sticky mud, suddenly you appreciate the incredible achievements of people like Made Darmo.
 
Made Darmo
The Farmer

Popo Danes is one of Bali's most renowned architects. Born in Banyuwatis north Bali he studied in Udayana University in Denpasar and has never looked back. He has designed award winning resort hotels, villas and other interesting creations. The ever youthful Popo has traveled to and enjoyed working in many countries  but always returns to Bali.
He loves Bali because it is his home island. He loves its position and the acess to international thoughts and influences while retaining its true Balines identity. "So many things connect in Bali and the mix of modern and traditional suits his profession. We can live as we are in Bali we can be ourselves. In Jakarta you have to be someone else"

Popo Danes
The Architect

Ibu Mangku has run her warung Nasi Ayam Kedewatan since 1984. Although the original family run warung has expanded in size and she has open branches in Seminyak and Kapal, the quality remains unchanged. Everything is still cooked on wood fires and it is all cooked under her strict supervision in her original Kedewatan home.

Her food is famous and people come from far and near to try it. Some people love her food so much that they eat there almost every day. She loves Bali, it is her home, her family her place of business and her spiritual support. It is where she wants to be.     

Ibu Mangku
The Warung Owner

Leisure

In exotic aroma envelopes the senses as the chef stirs his wok into a frenzy of fire and dancing vegetable. "Have you ever heard of Nouvelle Balinese cuisine?" he asks with enthusiasm. "Not yet? Well watch out it's on it's way. I'm fusing the best of traditional Balinese cooking with influences I have picked up from around the world, and it's going to be outstanding!"
 

I Putu Sudari Yasa
The Chef

The first moment of embarrassment quickly fades as strong fingers find that naughty little muscle that's been annoying you for so long.  "Is that the spot?" asks Lilik, one  of the Masseuses at a top hotel. Of course she already knows from experience that the stress is already disappearing from your body.  "Just relax  listen to the waves outside and I'll make it better" she says, and she does.
 
It's Jimbaran, Bali and you wonder why you never had a massage earlier but after today's bliss you know you will be back again.

 Ni Kadek Lilik Suriati
The Masseuse

Dolphin white water rafter work for Sobek White Water Rafting in Sayan just out of Ubud. For eight years he has guided thousands of happy tourist down the twisting and turnings rapids of the Ayung Rivers. When he was a boy in school he dreamed of working on the river and even after so many years he loves his job.

"It is my hobby and my job"  he says beamingly. Where did he get his name? Everyone at Sobek has an English style name as it helps the tourists to feel comfortable and to identify them. He loves Bali because it has give him a good life and it is where he wants to be. Bali sustains him and keep his live beautiful.

Beamingly
The Rafter