Indonesia
is home to many traditional dance styles, none more famous than the revered
dance traditions of Java and Bali. Although dynamically impacted by Hinduism and
Buddhism from the 6th - 7th centuries, the form of Javanese dance has evolved over the last 250 years from the
culture of Java’s former Islamic-influenced courts.
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Artistic Director
Bharatanatyam
Balinese Ritual Dance
Classical dance in Java has existed for centuries. The first evidence of these
dances can be seen in the bas-reliefs on the Borobudur Temple, in central Java,
constructed in the 8th century A.D. The
unique blending of the import of religion, arts, and philosophy from India,
China, and South East Asia, with the already existing indigenous Javanese
culture, resulted in a dynamic meeting of these three cultures.
Later, Javanese dance became the property of the royal court, which
expressed a high standard of refined beauty and was performed during ceremonies
in the palaces. Starting at the beginning of this century and especially during
the last few decades many new dances have been created from more modern
inspiration.
The core of Javanese dance is inspired by nature. The movements must flow
like a river, and be as effortless as clouds drifting across a blue sky.
Traces of Hindu and Buddhist art are seen in the use of stylized poses
and in the extraordinary usage of articulated hands and fingers. There is also a strong Taoist influence and similarity to Tai
Chi in the slow and flowing meditative quality of the dance patterns, which
allow the movements and poses to be connected seamlessly. Visions of a higher
world, of inner bliss, extreme refinement, elegance, and tranquil
self-possession, express the highest ideal of all Javanese arts. The dancers’
downcast eyes suggest seeing deeply, beyond the material world of phenomena;
their dress and ornaments are those of apsaras (angelic beings).
The traditional Indonesian 20-piece orchestra is called a gamelan.
It consists of gongs and sets of cast bronze bowls fitted into frames of
elaborately carved wood, painted gold with red lacquer.
Like the music of the gamelan which
accompanies it, Javanese dance is highly complex and structured, subtle and
gracious. The movements are built from units of eight counts, and are
adjusted to the pace of the music.
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Way of Dance - Sierra Foothills, California
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