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The sound of
gamelan melodies flashing

From morning
to night non stop

Accompanying
the dancer's movements

Glancing,
shuffling, stepping, poising...

(Taksu: Never Ending Art Creativity)

Click here to go to Dances

Click here to listen a gamelan sample

(Taksu: Never Ending Art Creativity)

Click here to go to Dances

Click here to listen a gamelan sample

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The Types of Balinese Dance

    There are many types of Balinese dance composed by Balinese artists. Sometimes one particular type of dance has slightly differences depends upon who the teacher is, what village she/he comes from, etc. The core of the  movements are standard, but each style might carry minor improvization. More and more dances are created since the Indonesian Art Institute in Bali was established. These dances are called "new creation dances".  Some types of dances are listed below.

Pendet

   When a little girl starts learning how to dance, usually she will be taught Pendet dance since it requires simple and basic movements and not to fast tempo. This dance is also called a "welcoming dance" for it is performed at the beginning of an event.

    There are two types of Pendet dance, first is the one that is only danced at a temple festival to greet the Gods, and second is Pendet that is performed to mark a ceremonial event such as the end of the school year, anniversary of the youth club of a village, etc. Sometimes it is also performed to welcome government dignitaries. This type of dance is only danced by girls or women.

Legong

    This dance is one of the classical dances. Only girls perform Legong and the training often begins at age five. By the time a girl reaches puberty, she retires from dancing this. The girls are called divined nymphs and act the roles of highly refined courtiers.

Baris

    Baris expresses manly attributes and is a ritual war dance. This dance requires a dancer to have an ability in changing many expression. Even though this is a war dance,  it does not restrict a young boy from dancing this. Baris can be performed at a temple festival as well as at non-ritual events.

Janger

       This dance was introduced in 1925 and became the first social dance in Bali where at least ten boys and ten girls dance and sing together. The unique about this dance is at the very beginning of the dance they sing  a song that states who they are (i.e., students of a particular high school) or  where they come from (a name of a village), how glad and pleased they are that we can gather, etc. Then they sing about love, jokes, tease each group, etc. At the very end they sing a thank you and farewel song.