Balinese Dance Concert in New York

Bali, an Indonesian Island nestled between Java and Lombok, has a population of around 3 million people.

But in Bali, unlike the rest of Indonesia, the population is predominantly Hindu.

And they are well known for their art, especially dance.

And at the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia in New York on Sunday, audience members could appreciate different forms of Balinese dance.

[Dr. I Madé Bandem, Artistic Director]:
“And in Bali we have over 10,000 or more temples. And temples require festival. And the festival requires performances and dance…so music and dance are really part of the life of Bali’s people actually.”

This is a contemporary dance, depicting the courtship of two birds of paradise.

The facial expressions of the performers are very important. And the eye and hand movements.

[I Madé Sidia, Choreographer]:
“And also we try to explain the universe. Actually this is all we have in the world. This is    the universe. In the the position of the hand and eye movement this is also all come from the nature.”

Sarah Matheson, NTD, New York.