Balinese Dance, Drama and Music

Reviewer's Bookwatch, Feb, 2005 by Willis M. Buhle

Balinese Dance, Drama and Music

I. Wayan Dibia and Rucina Ballinger, authors; Barbara Anello, illustrator

Periplus c/o Tuttle Publishing

364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436

9625931953 $35.00 www.tuttlepublishing.com

Extensively illustrated with over 200 full-color photographs, Balinese Dance, Drama and Music: A Guide to the Performing Arts of Bali takes the reader on a captivating tour of the history, style, and function of Balinese gamelan music, dance, drama, and puppetry. Suitable for all ages, Balinese Dance, Drama and Music covers how performing arts are learned in Bali, the principal Balinese values that artistic media passes on, and discussion of individual forms of performing arts, such as Gameland Gong Kebyar, Lgong Keraton, Baris, Wayang Kulit, and the relatively recent phenomenon of women's and children's performing groups. A bibliography and discography round out this superbly captivating survey, written by expert dancers and choreographers.