In the review of the cultural event Pesta Kesenian Bali 2009 this time, will be appointed on the theme of dance “Leko”.  This dance is one of so many Balinese ancient dances which might has already rare to be performed and not much known by Balinese society. Today, Leko dance could be found only at Jembrana, regency at Western area of Bali.

In journey of Leko dance, the dance was come from a sacred art entertainment for the kingdom and noble. Like “Joged Bumbung” dance, Leko dance also using a traditional music “Rindik” to accompany the dance. Rindik is a Balinese traditional music made from bamboo. Leko dancing also involve with a dancer which is taken from the audience, and this dancer known as “Pengibing”. Leko dance using two female dancers while in Joged Bumbung only using one female dancer, this made a different between Leko dance and Joged Bumbung dance.

Leko dance was predictably inspired by “Gandrung” and “Gambuh”, appear in year of 1915 at Pendem village, Jembrana regency. Leko at that time was only a traditional music of “Gerantang” accompaniment with some traditional music device. Then in its evolution, Leko had equipped with a dancers who dance along with a traditional instruments. Leko was a traditional performance tribute to a royal and a king’s family, and a way of villagers to reassure the palace. Leko dance had gone through an upside down existence, where on a colonialism era in Bali, this Leko dance couldn’t perform again, but then raise and still exist until now.

The existence of Leko dance couldn’t detach from a cultural preservation synergy between traditional artists and others related community to protect ancient cultures. Through Bali Art Festival 2009, again Leko dance performance promotes to an audience in purpose of re- introducing this ancient dance for every younger generation. Hopefully, this promotion could lift up again the existence of Leko dance as one of Balinese heritage which deserve to be protect from extinction.

Quick Source : Bali Post (Saturday, 27 June 2009)

Today news highlights will represent about most popular event this year in Bali, all we (Balinese people) known as Pesta Kesenian Bali 2009 which has closed meaning as Bali Arts Festival 2009. This is annually festive calendar that always held every year and today is its opening day of year 2009 then will be conducted for one full month.

The idea was brought by Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra (former Balinese Governor) who was realized that Bali as a unique region must has a structure as fundamental load for Balinese people to raised and hold Balinese culture. Therefore, was held up this Bali Arts Festival for the first time on 1979. Premiere Bali Arts Festival in 1979 was two month enforced and had inspired the next generation of the same festival in Bali. As continuing event, Pesta Kesenian Bali has give a contribution to re-founding truth ancient Balinese art which is almost washed out by decay, to spread out all the idea of renewing Balinese arts and tradition for getting an equilibrium with a modernization.

This festive event has a different festive theme every year, Pesta Kesenian Bali 2009 represent “Mulat Sarira” theme, means that we as a human has to has a power to defense ourselves from any bad impact in life by having self introspection. Taking place at “Gedung Jaya Sabha”, a parade had open Bali Arts Festival 2009 this afternoon and had performed sight of “Bhawa Cakra” theme from all the participants who participated on this occasion. “Bhawa Cakra” theme or “wheel of life” is hopefully bringing a comprehension of human nativity and life with all of maturity process to reach harmonization in life.

There will be more activities written as a schedule of Pesta Kesenian Bali 2009 when all will be performed at Art Centre Bali, all of society from all community in Bali and outside of Bali are invited to give a contribution and participation for the most gala event in Bali this year of 2009, Pesta Kesenian Bali 2009.

Come and you will found a secret of all Balinese arts and cultures!

Quick source: Bali Post, 13th June 2009.

South Bali area like South Kuta and Jimbaran now became high orientation on tourism property development. Where every inch of this area are turned to be value land for sight seeing customer, local and foreign. Geologically this area covered by Limestone, fact that limestone could be welfare value for local neighborhood but on the other side it is bring bad impact to a landscape of Bali.
According to landscape photo of Bali which already published by Bali Post, a local newspaper in Bali, Bali will tend to minimize its land just because of irresponsible mining, beside there is no strict action from Bali government to react about this illegal mining. Some source reported that some area has already descending through limestone mining and has lower altitude then sea level, isn’t it bad?.
Imagine, if local people and government could work together as a team to avoid spoiled land, then Bali will not have any acne on its landscape.
Lets have a comment to save our green land.

Quick source : Bali Post, Saturday 23 May 2009.