Balinese Dance, Drama & Music: A Beginner's Guide to the Performing Arts of Bali

The fabled island of Bali is known around the world for its amazing dance and musical spectacles! Balinese Dance, Drama & Music is a lavishly-illustrated field guide to the island’s traditional performing arts, including gamelan music and elaborate dance, theatre, and shadow puppet performances frequently put on as part of temple celebrations. Perfect for visitors, students, or anyone with an interest in Balinese culture, this book presents the history and function of each genre of performance.

Chapters include:

• What is Gamelan?
• Women in Non-Traditional Roles
• The Stories in Balinese Theatre
• Sacred and Ceremonial Dances
• And many more!

Expert authors I Wayan Dibya and Rucina Ballinger discuss how the performing arts in Bali are passed from one generation to the next and the traditional values these performances convey, as well as their place within religious celebrations and how and when the performances are staged.

Each type of performance is described in loving detail, including traditional forms like Gamelan Gong Kebyar, Gambuh, Legong Keraton, Baris, Wayang Kulit, and many new types of performances put on by children’s, women’s, and art school groups. In addition to including a bibliography and discography, the book is enhanced with over 200 stunning photographs and specially-commissioned watercolor illustrations from artist Barbara Anello.