The Dance is born From the Mask
In previous conversations with Kadek Sudiasa, I have asked which comes first, the mask or the dance? and he has answered that the dance is born when the mask is born. so it must have been profound to make the topeng tua as a mask carver, after so many years of knowing him through the dance.
“Topeng Tua has a lot of characteristics that have to come into the mask.. wise.. loving..compassionate.. spiritual.. calm. I as a mask maker, I feel that whoever sees the spirit of Topeng Tua,.. should feel that his heart is calm.. that is the character that I think needs to enter Topeng Tua.”
“Some mask makers feel that there is a hardness and more assertiveness in Topeng Tua and these are all personal hallmarks of each mask maker. The mask cannot be separated from the Mask Maker. I veer towards Topeng Tua who is calmer and more compassionate. When you pick up the piece of wood for the mask, you already can imagine the lips and the wrinkles around the eyes. Topeng Tua does not openly smile, but he appears to be smiling. The smile is seen from the inner peace within his character.”
Topeng Tua, a Dancers’ Intimacy, with Kadek Sudiasa
When was the first time you danced Topeng Tua?
“I danced the Topeng Tua for the first time after graduating from high school. Pekak Tutur was my teacher. I recall that I was not able to grasp the character of Topeng Tua at all. This relates to ‘age’. I was young and it is not easy for the young to get the true character of the old. When young, you are automatically full of energy and ‘heat’. The concept of age. I could not get that character at all. At that time, I was in my youth, we are still full of energy and heat.”
My teacher also said this of Topeng Tua,
You have to feel what it is like to be old.. that age is what’s important. choreography is important, but capturing the spirit of the old is even more so.
Is it common for the young to dance Topeng Tua?
“The role that compliments young dancers is usually ‘Topeng Keras’. It is often difficult for the young to comprehend being old. Though not often, it can be achieved. I have seen some young dancers who truly capture the spirit of Topeng Tua and they dance the dance with a good feeling and the right energy.”
Sejarah Topeng Barong
Topeng Barong berasal dari Bali, Indonesia, dan telah digunakan selama berabad-abad dalam tarian Barong. Tarian ini awalnya digunakan sebagai upacara keagamaan untuk mengusir roh jahat dan membawa keberuntungan. Topeng Barong juga digunakan dalam upacara pernikahan dan upacara kematian.
Simbolisme Topeng Barong
Topeng Barong mewakili roh baik yang melindungi manusia dari roh jahat. Topeng ini memiliki bentuk kepala singa atau macan dengan bulu-bulu yang panjang dan warna-warna cerah. Simbolisme dari topeng Barong adalah kekuatan, keberanian, dan kebaikan.
Topeng Barong tidak hanya sekadar hiasan visual, tetapi juga mengandung makna filosofis yang mendalam. Barong melambangkan kebaikan, keberanian, dan perlindungan. Di dalam pertunjukan, Barong sering kali berhadapan dengan Rangda, sosok jahat yang melambangkan kekuatan kegelapan. Pertarungan antara Barong dan Rangda melambangkan perjuangan antara kebaikan dan kejahatan dalam kehidupan manusia.
Virtues of the Pandemic for Traditional Balinese Dance
“During the recent pandemic..our young traditional dancers had little activities in school. So the dance flourished. A lot of small sub-communities started to emerge as they focused their energies on learning the dance. They have to observe the movements.. the details in the movements of the elderly.. it is our job to observe and to feel. and bring that to the dance’’
“We dance.. the one who judges is the audience, Sometimes we don’t realise that we get carried away by the music or the atmosphere. At times, our movements can be too aggressive or energetic. The audience can see this better (if they are concentrating on the dance). When I get feedback from the audience, if it tells me something that can help me improve, I am happy. That is what I hope for.”
I thought it quite profound. I mean, the dance and wisdom passed down through Balis’ traditional masks are already profound. But herein lies another aspect of unexpected profundity. Traditional arts are fused with traditional communities. It is a living practice. Just like the young generation of Bali today, maybe web developers or accountants, they are also dancers of the Mask.
The youth that learns traditional Mask dance, are taught something incredibly deep and complex. They are open to an experience that compels them to do what we all try to avoid.. age. They have to bypass decades of slow exposure to age and learn in an intense compressed time, learn to be old. Learn to feel old, learn to perceive the world through old age.
They are fighting a natural flow and have to learn to exist outside of their point of experience. This is such a deep exercise of true empathy, if they are to get the spirit of the dance.
Virtues of the Pandemic for Traditional Balinese Dance
“During the recent pandemic..our young traditional dancers had little activities in school. So the dance flourished. A lot of small sub-communities started to emerge as they focused their energies on learning the dance. They have to observe the movements.. the details in the movements of the elderly.. it is our job to observe and to feel. and bring that to the dance’’
“We dance.. the one who judges is the audience, Sometimes we don’t realise that we get carried away by the music or the atmosphere. At times, our movements can be too aggressive or energetic. The audience can see this better (if they are concentrating on the dance). When I get feedback from the audience, if it tells me something that can help me improve, I am happy. That is what I hope for.”
I thought it quite profound. I mean, the dance and wisdom passed down through Balis’ traditional masks are already profound. But herein lies another aspect of unexpected profundity. Traditional arts are fused with traditional communities. It is a living practice. Just like the young generation of Bali today, maybe web developers or accountants, they are also dancers of the Mask.
The youth that learns traditional Mask dance, are taught something incredibly deep and complex. They are open to an experience that compels them to do what we all try to avoid.. age. They have to bypass decades of slow exposure to age and learn in an intense compressed time, learn to be old. Learn to feel old, learn to perceive the world through old age.
They are fighting a natural flow and have to learn to exist outside of their point of experience. This is such a deep exercise of true empathy, if they are to get the spirit of the dance.
The Power of Topeng Tua?
Topeng Tua is quite honestly, one of my favourite masks. There is something akin to peace when looking upon the Old Mask. But I don’t think this is simply because of a mask of an old man. That is why it is so profound. Topeng Tua is Time. Topeng Tua is experience. He is Wisdom and somehow, Topeng Tua is love. When I see the dance of Topeng Tua and the mask, I am not looking at a mask, I am not seeing a dancer. I somehow feel that I am loved. I somehow feel that I am not alone in the mire of the world. In my whimsy, I imagine if I were a child, there is still a gentle, guiding shelter.
Learn more about the art of Traditional Masks of Bali in our Living Masks of Bali Articles. Through conversations of shared experiences with the artists and dancers whose lives are centred on their wonder and power.
The Living Masks of Bali is our series that explores and celebrates Balinese traditional masks. We return today with a close-up look at Topeng Tua, the Old Mask. A conversation with Dancer and Mask Maker Kadek Sudiasa of Mas Ubud.
I’ve mentioned before in our previous article ‘The Subtleties of Topeng Keras’ that human beings have had a proclivity towards creating their image since ancient times. The oldest known mask is over 9000 years old and is carved out of stone. Human communities have recreated their image onto the mask. Believed to carry a strong link to the spirit of our ancestors. We, as a race, regardless of culture, language, or geography have this much in common for thousands of years. Ancient masks are often related to dance rituals and sacred rites. Throughout our Indonesian islands, it would prove this statement true. On each island, there is likely a rite of passage or ritual still practised today that involve the mask, in dance or ritual.
Topeng Tua translates to ‘Old Mask’. It is one of six masks that make up the ‘Topeng Babad Mask Dance‘. Throughout the performance, Topeng Tua comes out second in order of appearance. This is the order which Kadek Sudiasa and I have agreed to emulate in our articles. After Topeng Keras, we meet Topeng Tua.
Fakta Unik Topeng Barong berasal dari Bali
Topeng Barong berasal dari Bali merupakan lambang kekayaan budaya dan keindahan seni pertunjukan Bali. Dalam Bahasa Bali, topeng dikenal sebagai “Barong” yang merupakan sosok legendaris dalam mitologi Bali. Topeng Barong menggambarkan kekuatan baik yang melindungi manusia dari kekuatan jahat.
Dengan ekspresi wajah yang kuat dan detail seni yang memukau, topeng Barong menjadi pusat perhatian dalam berbagai upacara dan pertunjukan tradisional Bali. Topeng Barong dan Tarian Barong adalah bagian integral dari budaya tradisional Bali, Indonesia. Berikut ini adalah beberapa fakta unik tentang Topeng Barong dan Tarian Barong:
Topeng Barong berasal dari Bali adalah sebuah keajaiban seni dan budaya yang memukau. Dengan sejarah yang kaya, makna filosofis yang mendalam, dan keunikan desain yang mengagumkan, topeng Barong telah menjadi ikon budaya yang menginspirasi dan memukau orang dari seluruh dunia. Dengan menjaga dan mendukung warisan budaya ini, kita berkontribusi dalam memastikan bahwa keajaiban topeng Barong akan terus bersinar terang di masa depan.
Melihat tarian Topeng Barong di Bali dapat menjadi pengalaman yang tak terlupakan. Dengan menyewa mobil di Get&Ride Car Rental Bali, Anda dapat dengan mudah dan nyaman menuju tempat-tempat di mana tarian ini dipentaskan.
Topeng Barong berasal dari Bali adalah seni pertunjukan dan simbol budaya Bali yang menggambarkan kekuatan baik dalam melindungi manusia dari kekuatan jahat.
Pertunjukan Topeng Barong berasal dari Bali melibatkan tari tradisional Bali, musik gamelan, dan pakaian adat, menciptakan pengalaman budaya otentik.
Topeng Barong digunakan dalam tarian sakral yang memiliki makna religius dan budaya yang kuat, terbuat dari kayu dan dihiasi dengan bulu, kain, dan warna-warna cerah, digunakan dalam upacara pernikahan dan upacara kematian, serta menjadi salah satu daya tarik wisata Bali yang populer dan banyak dicari oleh turis.
Topeng Tua masuk pada katagori topeng pengelembar yang menokohkan seorang Menteri Senior, Penasehat Raja bahkan Raja dalam masa pensiunnya. Arti dari topeng pengelembar adalah topeng pengantar dari satu rangkaian pertunjukan Topeng Wali (topeng upacara agama Hindu). Karakter tua pada tari Topeng Tua ini sangat kuat pada rasa kesedihan atau penderitaan karakter ini menunjukkan martabat dan kekuatan batin serta kepolosan seperti anak kecil. Selama menari, ia menunjukkan momen-momen yang memiliki energi yang kuat, contohnya bergegas pergi untuk menyelesaikan beberapa tugas besar dan sesekali terdiam hanya untuk memberikan lutut atau paru-parunya beristirahat. Penderitaan ini adalah akibat dari perbuatan (karma wesana) waktu usia muda. Senyum kecilnya meningkatkan lelucon pada penampilan, seperti ketika ia menemukan kutu di pakaiannya atau kutu di rambutnya. Sebagai pengawalan tarian pada bagian membuka gorden (langse), Topeng Tua terungkap duduk di kursi, surai rambut putihnya jatuh di pundaknya. Dia mengangkat jari-jari berhiaskan permata dengan usia lanjut. Perlahan berdiri, ia mengamati para penonton. Pada akhir dari tarian Topeng Tua pada intinya semua penonton merasakan kelembutan tarian, kesedihan karakter dan kegembiraan karena lelucon yang ditampilkan.
-admin Topeng Bali Official
This Old Mask Dance is one of the traditional dances originating from Bali. This Old Mask Dance features a dancer in a magnificent dress and also wears a wooden mask made from ylang-ylang wood. The mask used in this dance is like the facial expression of an old man.
Tari Topeng Tua ini adalah salah satu tarian tradisional yang berasal dari Bali. Tari Topeng Tua ini menampilkan seorang penari dengan busana yang megah dan juga mengenakan topeng kayu yang berasal dari kayu ylang-ylang. Topeng yang digunakan dalam tarian ini seperti raut wajah seorang pria yang berusia senja.
The Living Masks of Bali is our series that explores and celebrates Balinese traditional masks. We return today with a close-up look at Topeng Tua, the Old Mask. A conversation with Dancer and Mask Maker Kadek Sudiasa of Mas Ubud.
I’ve mentioned before in our previous article ‘The Subtleties of Topeng Keras’ that human beings have had a proclivity towards creating their image since ancient times. The oldest known mask is over 9000 years old and is carved out of stone. Human communities have recreated their image onto the mask. Believed to carry a strong link to the spirit of our ancestors. We, as a race, regardless of culture, language, or geography have this much in common for thousands of years. Ancient masks are often related to dance rituals and sacred rites. Throughout our Indonesian islands, it would prove this statement true. On each island, there is likely a rite of passage or ritual still practised today that involve the mask, in dance or ritual.
Topeng Tua translates to ‘Old Mask’. It is one of six masks that make up the ‘Topeng Babad Mask Dance‘. Throughout the performance, Topeng Tua comes out second in order of appearance. This is the order which Kadek Sudiasa and I have agreed to emulate in our articles. After Topeng Keras, we meet Topeng Tua.
Virtues of the Pandemic for Traditional Balinese Dance
“During the recent pandemic..our young traditional dancers had little activities in school. So the dance flourished. A lot of small sub-communities started to emerge as they focused their energies on learning the dance. They have to observe the movements.. the details in the movements of the elderly.. it is our job to observe and to feel. and bring that to the dance’’
“We dance.. the one who judges is the audience, Sometimes we don’t realise that we get carried away by the music or the atmosphere. At times, our movements can be too aggressive or energetic. The audience can see this better (if they are concentrating on the dance). When I get feedback from the audience, if it tells me something that can help me improve, I am happy. That is what I hope for.”
I thought it quite profound. I mean, the dance and wisdom passed down through Balis’ traditional masks are already profound. But herein lies another aspect of unexpected profundity. Traditional arts are fused with traditional communities. It is a living practice. Just like the young generation of Bali today, maybe web developers or accountants, they are also dancers of the Mask.
The youth that learns traditional Mask dance, are taught something incredibly deep and complex. They are open to an experience that compels them to do what we all try to avoid.. age. They have to bypass decades of slow exposure to age and learn in an intense compressed time, learn to be old. Learn to feel old, learn to perceive the world through old age.
They are fighting a natural flow and have to learn to exist outside of their point of experience. This is such a deep exercise of true empathy, if they are to get the spirit of the dance.
Jenis-jenis Topeng Barong
Ada beberapa jenis Topeng Barong berasal dari Bali, yaitu:
