Adresse: Jl. Raya Ubud 35, Griya Agung Tebesaya, Ubud
Who didn’t play, as a child, with the shadows of their own hands to create animals on the wall? Balinese shadow play summons childhood memories, uses simple and poetic images made of light and shadow and is enjoyable for just this reason, a lighthearted idea still capable of recalling marvels of the past. Even without understanding the local language, watching a performance of a shadow play is a unique experience which comes to life in front of and behind the curtain upon which the silhouettes of the characters are cast. In fact, it’s the tone of voice, modulated in various ways for the various characters by the dalang, the “puppeteer”, the whirlwind of action and the live music which highlights essential passages and makes the story accessible to all. The scene unravels with a clear distinction between Good and Evil, borrowing from traditional tales and epic poems, with moral and religious teachings, but also irony to lighten things up and capture the public. The true soul of the show is the dalang who can move up to 12 marionettes simultaneously, giving each a distinct character, laughing and singing while one or two assistants pass the other characters to the dalang and a small orchestra plays under lamplight, all creating a stunning illusion of reality. A fundamental and fascinating way of approaching the local culture.
Telajakan, the Traditional Green Open Spaces, Physically Provides Beauty and Fresh Air
Every culture has rules in living every aspect of life. On Bali, there is a tradition of managing the yard in the house building arrangement. This tradition is known as telajakan which plays a role in maintaining the balance of the home environment. One area that still follows this tradition is the Jasri Traditional Village.
The idea of designing an archaeological museum on the island of Bali dates back to 1958, but it was only in 1974 that the museum took shape and was inaugurated. It contains over 3,000 artifacts ranging from prehistoric times to the fifteenth century. It is considered a milestone in the history of conservation of the island's ancient artifacts.