Universe, with colourful variety of turbulence and circulation for every living creature. Everything that happens and continues over time will be able to create energy for the cycle of life. Space and time only means to support the souls who are build social interaction around it. Although scientists can tell how the universe was formed, even though archaeologists can trace the development of world history, and although one can easily access the entire history by using sophisticated technology. But it only managed to get the answers of worldly question; this is also the one who encourages people to be more curious about things outside world that hope could lead to thoughts of spiritual things which might have more explaination of how this universe formed. Learning process spiritual encourages a human being to find a way to get closer to spiritual answers, and sometimes be able to give a way to enlightenment spiritual mind.

It is not hard for people who actually live or lived in Bali or just visit one particular time to find the spiritual life. Spiritual activities and holy buildings are specially built as a place to anchor spiritual learning. When the step is set up at spiritual place of Besakih Temples, there are found the union variety of holy temples, objects and sacred symbol that reflects the greatness of Hindu spiritualism life in Bali. Besakih Temples in each of its parts present and whispering spiritual reflection Hinduism sourced from Hindu scriptures themselves. The parts of the temple area had their meaning in accordance with the function and history of the temple. Largest and widest complex where the place of God as the embodiment of Tri Kahyangan; Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva is a place where held so many answers to spiritual knowledge. This place is called the Penataran Agung Temple, and is often used as the center of several major ceremonies at Besakih Temples.

When began to set foot on the first steps of the Penataran Agung stairway, people who climb these stairs one by one, will feel the spiritual ambience in an effort to align ourselves with the enlightenment. On the right side are standing a few stone statues that as reflection of Ramayana characters and the left side of this can be found reflection of Mahabrata figures. Ramayana and Mahabrata is an epic famous in the history of Hindu’s world, where all events in the universe as a reflection of each chapter in those epic, and frequently also able to inspire the spiritual learning. Foot steps up the stairs of Penataran Agung is reflected the living struggle of a human since being born into the world, and when people finally thought to look for a spiritual presence at Besakih Temples, give the sense that humans began preparing themselves to leave the earthly attribute existence and stepped through the gate of First Mandala at Penataran Agung Temple. What was waiting for the end of the steps is to teach people that the earthly attribute only as a supplementary factor in dealing with life and even the main thing that must be achieved in the future is grounded in the spiritual life of purity and freedom from all worldly darkness.

And in the end, when spiritual soul calling and is like the largest magnet to you in this Besakih Temples area, up the stairs of First Mandala at Penataran Agung, Besakih Temples  then will giving you the biggest challenge of the enlightenment process, you will be challenged.

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.