Balinese Dance in Ubud

A young Balinese dancer

I'm in Indonesia on Bali this month. I learned a bit about Balinese dance while here. It seems to have a lot in common with Indian Odissi and Kathak Dance which I've loved photographing in the past. I visited the home of a young dancer who demonstrated the Balinese tradition characterized by dramatic, sharp eye movements (nyedet) and complex finger gestures. I also went to a performance held at the Ubud Palace that dramatizes the Mahabharata Epic. The dancers perform on a low stage while the musicians sit around them playing gamelan music on traditional instruments.

Performance of the Mahabharata

Performance of the Mahabharata

Performance of the Mahabharata

Performance of the Mahabharata