Gambuh Classical Performance

This chapter describes the oldest dance form in Bali, with a traceable history of at least four hundred years. It has roots in the Majapahit Empire. A grand and majestic performance form with gestures and music rooted in what is termed the Balinese classical style. This chapter describes how many other performance forms today have originated within Gambuh , such as Topeng, Arja, Prembon and Legong . In Gambuh it is movement, gesture and structure that act as key sources for so many other forms and it is often described as the ancestor of Balinese dance-drama. There are details describing elements of story, costumes, headdresses, the theatrical way of featuring the essence of dramatic characters and the stylistic form of dance and speech diction that are also appearing in descended forms. A performer who first learns the intricate details and techniques of Gambuh often goes on later to other forms that share many of these elements. The emphasis in performance on character focuses on the specific visual, audio and verbal elements belonging to that character type, and the vocabulary of movements, music accompaniment and costume add to the building of that character. There are lists of many such details within this chapter. There is also a detailed case study of a specific performance.