Authentic Balinese Dance & Gamelan (6)

And the latter is performed Gunung Sari Bapang Legong, which danced by Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik, urges Putu Widhi, and Kartika. Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik or who is familiarly called Gung Ayu Bulan, student of Niang Sengog, was a figure of a dancer and trainer who greatly admired. In dance and train her disciples, Bulan was always consistently maintain the identity of “Peliatan Style”, and taught her disciples the teachings derived from “the Master”.

From the left : Desak Putu Widhi, Kartika, Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik. Kendang player Gusti Kompiang. (photo 1960's?)

Gusti Made Sengog, known more as Niang Sengog, is a dance instructor originally from Peliatan. From the book “Dancing Out of Bali” written by John Coast, her name was already mentioned as the teacher of three young dancers who perform the Legong Dance in the United States for the first time in 1952.

She has been teaching for almost 5 generations of Legong Keraton dancers for the Gong Gunung Sari group between the year 1950- 1970. Niang Sengog is known as a very modest person, rather quiet but can be very stern at times. She usually comes with her basket of betel leaf & nut. In teaching the dancers Niang Sengog will hold and hug and use her arms and her whole bodies to guide the dancers until she feels the dancers are perfect.
While teaching she is always accompanied by Anak Agung Mandera, more known as Gungkak Mandera who sings the dance melody and play the drum (kendang). Niang Sengog has enriched the quality of “pelegongan” in Bali.

Of course, we wonder, what exactly “style Peliatan” is?

According to Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik as quoted from her article on the anatomy of Peliatan Legong said that Peliatan style tends to full dynamic vibration and strength with a curved body and leaning forward and chin up. And she says in his experience as a student Niang Sengog during the period 1956 to 1965, a striking peculiarity is some element of movement are: Arching, interlocking, lifting, stumbling, and vibrating.

Author : kadek ferry © f-studio
Photo : Doc. Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik