One of the beauties of Bali is its cultural life. Everybody either dances or plays Gamelan music here. Not because everyone is into dancing or art but because it is a part of Balinese life. Little children attend dance classes as soon as they start walking. The classes usually take place in temples or local banjars (community spaces for gathering), and are free. Even the poorest children have a chance to participate-now that’s what access to arts is! -Something we-in the West should re-think! The classes are organized by the community and since everybody dances there is no problem with finding a teacher.
Intrigued and amazed by the performance of one of her friends at a school show, Amelia joined local girls at Legong Dance class. I cannot wait to try it myself…After all, we live in Bali now and it is a part of the life...
Intrigued and amazed by the performance of one of her friends at a school show, Amelia joined local girls at Legong Dance class. I cannot wait to try it myself…After all, we live in Bali now and it is a part of the life...
To learn the correct position of hands girls practice with little bowls and fans.
Girls practice wearing sarongs but the dances are performed in spectacular costumes and make up. There are several kinds of dances in Bali (I’ll write about each individually later). All of them require lots of precision as there is no room for improvisation. What’s interesting is the importance of eyes in the dance-very expressive and again-precise.
Legong Dance is an expression of beauty so all the girls take it very seriously...
Amelia is practising her hands positions with a fan...
A little play during the break with her friends from Australia and New Zealand who also joined the class.