A brief of Bali Arts Festival Parade 2016

I have done my duty as the Master of Ceremony for the opening parade of Bali Arts Festival 2016. And also as the commentator with the other guys (Paul Suwardi: a Radio Announcer, Ida Bagus Purna: dalang/ master of Balinese drama dance theatre and Ketut Darya: also a dalang with a competency of ancient Bali language). Before I go further presents some photos I took yesterday, I want to give you a glimpse about Bali Arts Festival.

Introducing Bali Arts Festival cannot be separated from the figure of a great Balinese man: “Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra (late)”, as the idea resource, initiator, and the one who planned the Bali Arts Festival when he was the General Directour of Culture, Education and Cultural Ministry of the Republic of Indonesia. His idea then  alive in 1979 when he became the Governor of Bali in the first five years (1978-1983). Along the way to 2016, BAF has embraced the age of 38 years old, a full grown age as a program that is held every year. Every year, artists from any kind of arts kind can perform their masterpieces here. Meanwhile the parade is usually held in front of Bajra Sandhi Monument (near Puputan Margarana park, Renon, Denpasar), the whole program is held for the whole month in Art Centre of Denpasar. Bali Arts Festival is fully supported by the 8 regencies (Buleleng, Jembrana, Tabanan, Bangli, Klungkung, Karangasem, Badung, Gianyar) and one city of Denpasar. Other provinces of Indonesia surely can join, too, even other foreign friends. Bali Arts Festival (BAF) as a major event of art and cultural element is organized every year at the time of school holiday from June to July.

For 2016, the selected theme is Karang Awak: “Loving Our Mother Land”. Karang awak is the tiny part of pertiwi (earth) element. Loving Our Mother Land becomes the identity that is described a Balinese. This character is needed to protect the Balinese culture. Bali Arts Festival Parade 2016 was opened officially by H.E. the President of the Republic of Indonesia, bapak Jokowi by sounding kul kul.

These photos were taken from the preparation to the after event. Some photos probably have inadequate quality as I took it from my small ‘stage’ as the Master of Ceremony and commentator, its roof and bamboo pole were ‘interrupted’ the view.

‘Sterilised’ street and surrounding. Few hours before the President of Indonesia arrived.

Detailed sculpture of Balinese gamelan (traditional music instrument).

My co-worker explained the escorted girl, what should do and shouldn’t during the official ceremony.

The dragon as the ‘holder’ of kulkul.

Another dragon. Most of Balinese ornaments usually have dragons. They just love it as a symbol of greatness and power.

Beautiful parade of Balinese traditional wedding dresses.

Gianyar regency dancers. On a floating car.

Intricated sculpture. also from Gianyar regency.

Balinese gamelan that was dominated with suling (flute).

Parade of gebogan on the head of ‘ibu-ibu’ (mothers) of Sanur area, Denpasar city.

Togetherness. Some were playing the music instruments. Others were keeping the stage going. Either by pulling it or pushing it.

Beautiful girls and handsome boy. Wearing traditional dress for religious ceremony. Wearing high heels and had to walk 1 kilometre and a half. Dedication. That was dedication.

It’s me! :).

Me and the other commentators.

These photos are only a tiny bit of the rich Balinese arts and cultures. A parade and also Bali Arts Festival is a showcase of the arts and cultural element Bali Island has as well as an effort to conserve and develop them. The artists and their groups are always selected carefully before they are given chances to perform in this major events. So, all performances must be gorgeous!

Dear friends, I invite you to come to Bali around June and July to see what arts and cultures we have around this island in the Arts Centre of Denpasar city. I assure you, if you love arts and cultures, then Bali Arts Festival is a place to have a jubilant time to enjoy it!

Belated post to DP Photo Challenge: Jubilant!

Endek: the traditional balinese woven cloth

Ketut Sriani, the owner of Sri Widhi endek workshop with piles of her handmade collections.

Note: before I made the title of this post, I had searched, what is the difference between fabric and cloth. I found the use of these words are similar and are often used interchangeably. So, I chose as you can read title for this post (a-not-so-important-information-but-still-I-want-to-tell-you-because-I-just-want-to).

Weaving the threads into piece of delicate beauty

A few days ago, we went to Klungkung regency, one of the 8 other regencies in Bali province to buy some endek: the traditional woven Balinese cloth. Next week, on 11^th June there will be the opening ceremony for the 38^th Bali Arts Fetsival 2016. I will be the Master of Ceremony (and also the commentator) for the official ceremony of the parade, so I want to wear something special for this major arts and cultural event that will be attended by local, national and international audiences. This opening ceremony is opened for public where they can see an arts and cultural processions, this year (2016) are presented by the 8 regencies and Denpasar city, other provinces in Indonesia, and two foreign guests (France and India participants).

Patiently arranging:to avoid twisted materials

Back to Klungkung, actually, it is not the only regencies and city in Bali that produce endek. Each of them has their own style and beauty of this woven cloth. I chose Klungkung, because my colleague said that she knew a store has its own endek workshop with traditional Balinese loom! I have planned for a while about introducing endek as one of the Balinese style of cloth to my readers. The Balinese people usually used it for kamen (to wrap around your lower part of body) combined with kebaya, blouse, or shirts (for the gentlemen), schools or office uniform, traditional (both religious or non-religious) ceremonies and other special occasions.

Dye the white silk thread into brilliant colour

So, we went to Semarapura, the capital city of Klungkung regency, took about half an hour from Denpasar by Ida Bagus Mantra bypass. This small workshop was started in 2009 and are frequently invited to join exhibitions, including the Bali Arts Festival exhibition, located at the Arts Centre (Tamana Budaya) of Denpasar. Although it is quite small but loaded with kind of endek clothes, cotton thread and silk thread, cheap endek and exclusive ones. I asked for the latest version of Mastuli and Ketut Sriani (the owner) shown this beautiful cloth, named kristik Mastuli. Kristik probably derived from the words of Cross Stitch (Distance from England to Indonesia, need thousands miles, no wonder the words of Cross Stitch mutated into an almost unrecognisable one: kristik…) and it does not even involve any skills of cross stitching, but weaving threads. I think, it is the flowers motives are inspired from structure of cross stitch. Meanwhile Mastuli refers to the thread material used that is silk.

Piles of ended: cotton kind

Balinese motives: what can I say more, beautiful, elegant and unique!

The Endek Mastuli: the delicate allure

From the very beginning (dye the white silk thread with colours) to a piece of beauty, Endek Mastuli needs 1 month and a half. Its price is more expensive than the cotton thread. But, I can tell you, if you buy something from the source, like endek workshop or manufacture you will get first price that is cheaper than the market, city boutiques or those small shops around your hotel. The uniqueness of Mastuli, it always has brilliant colour, but still elegant, light, soft, good to be worn if you want to catch some attention from others.

My chosen Mastuli: still woven in the loom!

I chose the golden one and decorated with colourful flowers that is still weaved in the loom. Ketut said in the next 2 days, this cloth would be finished.  So, I can say  I will wear a delicate allure that is fresh from the loom!

You are fat, now (with three exclamations)

This is a prelude post about Endek: the Balinese woven cloth (which I have made a draft of it). Fashion side (what I have to wear) is not the only element I should prepare for the Bali Arts Festival 2016. I had done the translation of 45 pages of this annual event Guidance Book. And also…reducing some of my weight. Really.

In our first meeting for the parade preparation, once I entered the room, the coordinator for the parade looked at me as if I had offended him severely (we have not seen each other for a year, since the last BAF). You are fat, now! He exclaimed (in front of some other members of the parade committee). I was babbling, trying to defend myself, saying I am already 40 years old, it is normal if I put some weight. You are fat, now! He pronounced that again in case I didn’t hear it at the very first. OK. Do not worry, by the time of the opening ceremony, you’ll see I am slimmer. He still looked at me, unbelievably. After the meeting ended, and we walked to the parking lot, he chased me. Really, you are fat now. Please, make your body slimmer by the time of the opening ceremony. So, you will be prettier. Ha! I tried to make a joke. So, I am not pretty now? Not enough! He made the announcement ( if it was written, surely with three exclamations). Please, be slimmer. I tried to find excuses, but I realize that I can’t blame him, in Bali, people used to see petite and slim performers: dancers, singers, and other (on the stage) artists. Although I am a civil servant as I will stand on the stage to be a commentator, technically I will be a performer, too. So, I should be slim or at least slimmer than I was in the time the coordinator saw me. Moreover, deep down my heart, I knew I was fat, most of my clothes became too small for me, when I walk, some parts were jiggling (I don’t have to explain further, what parts).

Do you know, a situation when you put on a was once a big cloth, but then it fit your body? And you still eating everything you want just because you are in a big denial. So, the coordinator ‘announcement’ (short, clear, and painful enough to be taken) was a trigger to start my effort.

I cut back carbohydrate intake, drink juices, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. In my 40 years old, the fact to reduce weight is more difficult than 10 years ago. In the first three days, the struggling was real. In the morning, I drink mix pure juice of carrots, apple, lemon, and cucumber for breakfast, have a plate of fruits for snack and for lunch I eat normal portion of meal. In the afternoon, before 5 pm, I have my vegetable, if I really want rice (I loooove rice), I add 2 tablespoons of it onto the plate. Every time I want snack, I have papaya (it is delicious, cheap and easily enough to get) or pineapple (my favorite fruit). I walk in the treadmill three times a week, too. It has been two weeks of my effort to drop some ounces of excessive mass. Tonight (that explains the poor quality of the photo) I asked Andra (my first daughter) to take a photo of me, to be compared with the previous photo (before my diet). With a warning to her: take my photo, but don’t make me look fat.

I made a collage of the photos (so that it will be easier to compare). My husband said, you made it, see this one you look plump and this one you look (he stopped a while) and continued…not plump. I still have some days before 11the June 2106. Hope I can throw away another ounces of unnecessary fat from my body. Being slimmer is not the only purpose I have in mind, but also to be healthier.

Posted to the DP prompt: Purpose.

 

My blog is Me.

Why do you blog? Why do I blog? That’s the question. I think, I have told the reason in my About page. It took me long before I could decide what my blog will be about. Even, until now I cannot sure what is my blog about. Food with recipes blog? Although I love cooking, it is not as simple as throwing everything I found in the freezer into the wok that I have the rights to claim myself publically as a food blogger. Another question arouse: do I have time to take the ingredients measurement? Take photos of the step-by-step method? Do I really love cooking? Or that is just an excuse because I don’t like doing the other housework, like ironing clothes or mopping the floor. I had to listen my heart, So, the foodie blog had taken away from my mind. What else got my interest? Culture? It can be. My family? Of course. I have a husband, two daughters, one Siberian Husky and one small pomerian (mix). All of them can understand me well and not too demanding. Yes. Even, the dogs. How about if I want to write about our beautiful beaches? Our great temples? As the Bali Island is also known as the Island of Gods. The greenery, those small wonderful animals, like butterflies, praying mantis, little lizard and other not very important but make me interested easily thing. I don’t know what I will see around and what happens in my life. I want to record every thing that makes my life a life.

So, to make it simpler, I decide to blog about everything. A little bit too ambitious. But, this blog will be my life diary for my daughters, about the ups and downs, our struggle to face life trials, like my husband’s prostate cancer, how we all deal with that, how we stand strong by supporting each other. Its name is A Simple Note. Simple because I don’t like writing in a long-confusing way. I prefer short and precise style. And Note is the record of many things.
I express myself through my blog. A Simple Note is me.

Additional Note: I post also a picture of me. As I told you, I express myself through my blog. That’s the clue. I am a bit narcissist. A picture when I became this year Master of Ceremony for the opening of Bali Arts Festival Parade. Please forgive me. I just can’t help it.

Joined the Daily Prompt: Million-Dollar Question.

Life’s Full of Surprise. It’s Not Always Nice.

Life is full of surprise. And it is not always nice. I’m telling you, in case you didn’t realize that. In the last two weeks, I was busy preparing the translation for Guide Book of Bali Arts Festival Parade 2015 as well as became the Opening Master of Ceremony.