The Unique Pictorial Style of Kamasan

The Unique Pictorial Style of Kamasan
#BulgariStories

A cradle of Balinese culture and arts, Klungklung was the seat of one of the oldest kingdoms on the island and witnessed the flourishing of various art forms, especially under the patronage of the royal court during the reign of the Gelgel dynasty in the 16th century. Emblematic of this heyday of artistic development, is the traditional painting style of Kamasan, found only in the village of the same name. Inherited from the Hindu-Buddhist kingdom of Majapahit, following its expansion into Bali in the 14th century from neighboring Java, the Kamasan depicts scenes from traditional epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Kamasan paintings are made with the use of natural pigments, obtained from local plants and minerals. Ground into a fine powder, they are then mixed with water and glue to create unique shades of paint. The main artist composes the painting by sketching the design on a canvas followed by inking its outlines. The colourists then apply the paint using a bamboo stick.

Graziella Melania Geraci - © 2023 ARTE.it for Bulgari Resort Bali