After checking into our new accommodation at Greenfields, Che Tar and I went to Perama Bus Station which is located just 3 metres away(Perama is Bali's biggest tour bus company) to buy tickets to Lovina. They cost Rp70,000 one way per person.
By 7 pm, we were ready to go to Pura Desa Kutuh (pura=temple). There are many cultural troupes in Ubud, as Ubud is known as the centre of Arts. There are many programs to choose from, so I consulted Pak Nengah for the best show tonight. The ride to the temple is complimentary. The driver dropped us off and promised to come back when the show is over.
We were early, so Che Tar and I sat in the front row. The stage is set outside the temple, kalau dalam kuil, tak naklah Embak masuk. By the time the show started at 7.30pm the theatre was filled with tourists.
The show started off by a procession of musicians,dancers and a priest. According to the program booklet the priest had just blessed the performers in the temple. Maybe not tonight because the priest proceeded to sprinkle holy water on the stage, the music instruments and the performers. Luckily he didn't spatter us the audience. The audience silently whispered to each other about the seated odd-looking musician; a mat salleh who played a flute-like instrument.
After a loud and lonnngg instrumental, the dancers came out; graceful dances alternated with scary mask dances. About 6 dances in all, if I'm not mistaken. I was sooo glad when the show finally came to an end. The young dancers came down to the floor to tuck a flower behind our ears but seeing I was wearing tudung, the girl just handed it to me.
Overall, I felt the show was HEAVY. I didn't mind the delightful head and eye movements of the petite young dancers, but the horrible looking masks and distorted movements of the male dancers disgusted me. Nonetheless, an interesting experience.The last time I was in Bali, I saw the Barong dance. For my next trip, I want to catch the all-male chest-baring Kecak dance. Yay!
No comments:
Post a Comment