Topeng, or masked dance-drama, is an art form found in the islands of western Indonesia, particularly Java and Bali. Available historical sources suggest that the Indonesian practise of telling stories and depicting mythological, legendary and historical characters with masks dates back at least 1000 years. Masking culture has developed in complex ways over the centuries, integrating with local cultural patterns and themes, aesthetic tendencies, systems and styles of patronage and audience expectations.
Topeng in Bali is performed as part of temple celebrations and a variety of other ritual and secular occasions. A number of different topeng forms are extent in Bali; in the most virtuostic topeng pajegan a solo dancer-actor will tell an entire story through assuming a variety of contrasting masked character-types. Performances are a mixture of high comedy and intense realisation of cosmic power. The best performers are praised for their taksu, a Balinese word roughly translating as the 'presence of the actor' but implying an ability to mediate between sacred forces and the human audience.
Dr Matthew Isaac Cohen,
Senior Lecturer at Royal Holloway, University of London
IDA BAGUS ALIT – a personal account
I met Ida Bagus Alit on my first visit to Bali in 1991. I had just encountered Topeng and wanted to know more. He invited me to his home, showed me his masks and the dances and I have been fascinated ever since. I began my training in Topeng with him 10 years ago and he continues to be my most important teacher, helping to deepen my understanding of this complex cultural phenomenon. Over the years I have watched and filmed dozens of his performances all over Bali and have come to know his work well. He is very much in demand as a performer especially because of his vast knowledge of the Babad (chronicles of Balinese history) and the Weda (Balinese Hindu scriptures). He is also a much respected teacher who still uses the traditional, village approach of direct kinaesthetic learning. Because of his profound understanding of the sacred texts and "making the story," he is sought out by Balinese dancers who wish to perform the virtuoso Topeng Pajegan and use the sacred Sidha Karya mask. He is also one of the finest carvers in Bali, specialising not only in Topeng but also in the sacred masks of Barong, Rangda and Jero Gedé.
Ida Bagus Alit is a compelling performer and a generous and encouraging teacher.
Dr Margaret Coldiron
Links
| Topeng Wikipedia | Dartington College of Arts | Centre for Performance Research |
| Sherman Cymru | Balinese Dance | Lila Cita |
| Gamelan Network | Indonesian Embassy | Topeng Dalem UK (video) |
You may also be ineterested in reading:
Performance in Bali
by Leon Rubin and I. Nyoman Sedana More
Trance and Transformation of the Actor in Japanese Noh and Balinese Masked Dance-Drama
by Margaret Coldiron More
Balinese Dance, Drama and Music: A Guide to the Performing Arts of Bali
by Rucina Ballinger et al
