Made Sudarsana
Made Sudarsana dancing since the age of seven. "We learn to dance as a child," Made said. "The first dance I learned was the Baris dance. A master teacher taught me to Petulu Village. I go to him for lessons after school. "
Made is now 38 years old and is an artist and painter by trade. He learned the Topeng dance for several years and danced during temple ceremonies for the last three years.
"I was obliged to return to the dance," Made explained, "because we have a real shortage of topeng dancers in my village."
It takes a lot of commitment to learn the intricacies of the various dances, the more you need to be a storyteller, a theologian, a dancer, a bit of an actor and an artist.
The Topeng can be done individually 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 of many characters, and it is secret. Did you know a mask dancer can even be a tourist "
Penasar mask - the narration mask
the dialogue can be very fun and dance Made style, it usually opens a pleasant character and light entertainment. It is unusual for the whole audience out into hilarious laughter.
On the more serious side, Made explained, "One of my mask characters is very serious. I tell the story of the beginning of Bali and Hinduism and where it all began. I am a storyteller and I have to have control. I have to be serious, in fact, I had to give up drinking alcohol in order to learn the serious side of Topeng dance and religious significance. "
A very important dance is where the dancer makes a connection with God and dances for God. It is a very strong exchange, and for this reason a Topeng dancer must have a very pious side and have a deep understanding of Hindu philosophy and feel respect for dance. As in many aspects of Balinese culture, Balinese dance is inseparable from religion.