Imagine dancers costumed as trees, flowers, tigers, roosters and as the evil land developers. They move on and off stage, fluidly developing the story of the destruction of nature, the building of hotels and the destruction of the hotels by the Gods in the dance from of rain, lightning, and even a tsunami. Then the replanting of trees to bring back the environment, with hotels integrated into a healthy environment. All this with dancers costumed in vibrant colors and musical accompaniment.
Bapak Made Sidia, master dancer and choreographer, has a vision: a way to help the children of Bali understand the importance of saving the environment. “All creatures, all our life is harmony. We can make our life harmony. We have to save the environment. The children can learn about this through dance.”
To this end, three times a week the children go to his compound in Bona, a rural village twenty minutes south east of Ubud, for dance instruction. Once every month they perform for the proud parents. From this group of students he chooses those who are both talented and interested, to become part of his dance troupe that performs around Bali and Indonesia. Currently the dancers are appearing at Bali Safari Park in a dance choreographed by Pak Made. It is a variation of the Ramayana story that includes live ducks and elephants all working together with the dancers, showing how humans and animals can and do work together in harmony.
Tri Hita Karana
All of Pak Made’s work is based on the Balinese concept of Tri Hita Karana. This posits that there are three all-important kinds of relationships in one’s life: the relationship of human to God, the relationship of human to human and the relationship of human to the environment.
This is the guiding belief of all Balinese Hindus. Although one can easily see the first two relationships in daily life in Bali in the daily offerings and the communal life of the banjar, it is not always easy to find the third aspect of human to the environment. When one sees garbage and plastic dumped in rivers and toxic pesticides used in the rice fields, one wonders where the concern for the environment is. Thus, Made’s emphasis on the environment is a refreshing change.
Pak Made works closely with his father, the renowned shadow puppet master, Pak Made Sija. Four years ago father and son collaborated on a major dance production about what happens when promoters come and strip the land to build hotels -- a major theme in Balinese life. The production included 150 dancers, costumed as birds, trees, lions, elephants and of course people. As is usual in Bali this was a group effort with Pak Made as director of the production. His brother and their wives designed and made the costumes while the gamelan music was orchestrated by a friend. Pak Made’s father Pak Sija was the inspiration for the production, developing the concept and philosophy. The production was financed by the Indonesian government and by Pak Made’s group Sanggar Paripurna.
This was performed in Jakarta for the Minister of the Environment and for Earth Day 2006. It is a major production and thus needs a special venue although Pak Made states that he “can do productions of different sizes, 100 dancers or 70, even 50.” Asked about the cost of such a production, Made describes a range from Rp 7 million for the smaller production up to Rp 20 million. This form of communication is both entertaining and transforming of one’s attitude. The message is received at a visceral level and can be integrated in a way that intellectual discussions often fail. These performances are environmental education in a fun and lively manner. As Kathy Alexander, an Australian ex-pat says, “How wonderful if these performances would be made available to schools, tour groups, all of us.” How to make them available is the challenge.
In maintaining a sense of harmony, all participants in the production are paid: Dancers, costume people, and as Made says “even woman who sweeps after everyone leaves compound to go to performance” is paid. Pak Sija, as the originating and on-going inspiration, is included in this.
A second major production was staged at the end of 2009 and videoed by TVRI for local broadcast. Based on the Mahabarata, this dance develops the theme of human bodies being thrown into water, poisoning the fish and frogs so that they die. Their bones and skin develop into insects that then destroy the land. The message is that, “People don’t care about the water, so the Gods put a curse on humans.” Demons come and “insects become food for the demons.” Humans then ask the Gods for help and they say “you can’t put all things in the water; no trash, garbage, plastic.” Once the humans understand, the environment and harmony are restored.
Although dance is his love and specialty, Pak Made is also a shadow puppet master and master gamelan player. Following in his father’s role, he teaches shadow puppet performance as well as how to make one’s own shadow puppets to both Balinese and foreign students. His overriding philosophy is that “we cannot force children, not natural. Little by little we give them education without force them.” He states that for all dancers, “without (understanding) the story, cannot express the feeling when they dance. I stop them sometimes and explain the philosophy of their movement. This is like water, like clouds. I stop practice and talk to them about saving the nature. Then they talk to friends and more people learn.”
Pak Made is a master in our midst and it is possible to study with him in all his various roles: dancing, shadow puppet creation and performance, gamelan lessons and Made’s overriding interest in Balinese culture, especially as it relates to the environment and how to apply it to the 21st century.
There are various ways to study with Made. He offers basic accommodation at his compound in Bona: a large upstairs room with the cold water bathroom down two flights of stairs. This is geared more to young students, who often come to stay for several months to study dance or puppets.
Another option in the low-cost lodging range is a small guesthouse that offers two rooms with attached bathroom with hot shower. Both places include breakfast for under $8 per night. A more upscale possibility is Jack’s House, two fully equipped bungalows including hot water, TV, DVD and a swimming pool.
The most comfortable option is to stay in Ubud and come to Bona to study each day. In this way you get the combination of authentic Bali village life plus the comforts of urbanized Ubud with multiple restaurant and lodging choices.
For those interested in sponsoring a production and/or incorporating Pak Made’s dances in environmental education, contact Made directly. He will be delighted.
Made is a little-known master amongst the expats and tourists in Bali. Among Westerners, he is more well-known internationally, having taught and performed at universities such as Cornell in the USA and in Europe. He speaks English well and loves to talk about Balinese culture and his vision. If nothing else, simply coming to Bona to visit him would be a unique Bali experience.
Made Sidia’s Sanggar Paripurna offers production of his dances and education in Balinese culture, gamelan, dance, and shadow puppets as well as basic accommodation. He can be reached at paripurna2@yahoo.com or cell phone in Bali 081 239 57164
Ketut Sura offers two rooms with hot water shower plus breakfast in the same banjar/neighborhood as Made Sidia. His information: ketutsura@yahoo.com and local phone 0361 945 833
Jack’s House: moderately priced bungalows with hot water, DVD, and swimming pool. Contract Nyoman at 081353221217 or her daughter Seni at 08179754087, who speaks more English, for information on prices.
