Made Sudarsana the Topeng Dancer
Made Sudarsana
Made Sudarsana has been dancing since he was seven years old. “We learn dancing as a child,” Made explained. “The first dance I learnt was the Baris dance. A master teacher taught me through Petulu Village. I could go to his home for lessons after school.”
Made can be at of which point 38 years old as well as also can be an artist as well as also painter by trade. He has been learning the Topeng dance for several years as well as also has been dancing at temple ceremonies for the last three years.
“I was compelled to get back to dancing,” Made explained, “because we have a real shortage of Topeng dancers in my village.”
of which takes a lot of commitment to learn the intricacies of the various dances, plus you have to be a storyteller, a theologian, a dancer, a bit of an actor as well as also an entertainer.
The Topeng can be performed singly, or by two men, or by a group of men. “The mask represents a different character,” Made told me. “I have nine masks. I could portray an idiot, a village gossip, an old man, a king, a servant, many characters, as well as also one can be secret. Did you know a mask dancer can even portray a tourist?”
Penasar Mask – the storytelling mask
The dialogue can be very amusing as well as also in Made’s dance style of which usually opens that has a joking character as well as also some light-hearted entertainment. of which can be not unusual for the entire audience to break out into side-splitting laughter.
On the more earnest side, Made explained, “One of my mask characters can be very serious. I tell the story of the beginning of Bali as well as also Hinduism as well as also where of which all began. I am a storyteller as well as also I must have control. I must be serious, in fact I had to give up drinking alcohol in order to learn the serious side of Topeng dance as well as also the religious significance.”
One very significant dance can be the one where the dancer makes a connection with God as well as also dances for God. of which can be a very strong exchange, as well as also with of which reason a Topeng dancer has to have a very pious side as well as also must have a deep understanding of Hindu philosophy as well as also feel the reverence of the dance. As in many aspects of Balinese culture, Balinese dance can be inseparable through religion.
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Made Sudarsana the Topeng Dancer
Made Sudarsana the Topeng Dancer