Siwa Nataraja and Dewi Sri appear at Balinese Living Arts Desa Visesa

Ubud, BALI 

In Bali – painting, sculpture, dance, crafting ritual offerings and musical performance – demand that the core essence of each work is first offered to the Almighty. Artists and artisans reverently rejoice in the simple pursuit of perfection as in actions as mundane as preparing a simple floral offering or as sublime as the total surrender to a mystical trance dance.

Siwa – Bali Unmasked is a daily stage performance at Puri Kantor - Ubud’s Royal Palace depicting a traditional Balinese banjar where, one-by-one, talented artisans are seen busily creating traditional flutes, masks, exquisite ritual offerings, paintings, and traditional puppets – all presented against an ever-changing scene of exquisite Balinese dance and life-like characters fashioned by the world-renowned puppetry team of Made Sidia and Peter Wilson.

In a pioneering approach to contemporary theatre, elements of fine art and ritual communicate combine to communicate the extensive and intensive role artistic refinement plays in the daily life of the Balinese. 

Each remarkable performance ends with the audience and artists gathering together on stage, reflecting the age-old generosity of the Balinese who eagerly share their rich culture with Island visitors.

Surrounded by the verdant rice fields at the Desa Visesa Ubud, each daily performance of “Dewi Sri – the Quest for Balance” revolves around the fabled Goddess of Fertility in the central role.  Dewi Sri’s pervasive dominion over Balinese culture is considered essential to the prevention of famine, poverty, and disease. Dewi Sri’s reign over the rice terraces of Bali ensures security, balance, and prosperity to the agriculturally based Balinese society.

The cultivation of rice and the Balinese creed of Tri Hita Karana – the strict maintenance of balance in all things – are pastorally presented on a stage that is surrounded by working rice fields. Using dances and tales presented by the Island’s most accomplished performers, viewers will acquire an appreciation of the all-pervasive role played by a philosophy that mandates cosmic balance be rigorously maintained between man and nature, between man and God, and between members of the human community. Through dance, music, and dazzling puppetry the inner workings are revealed of the Subak - the ancient institutions governing precious water distribution and the Banjar – the village-based participatory system of local government.

Over 40 artists that will leave the audience with a lasting appreciation of traditional Balinese culture performed during an entertaining hour-long, fast-moving extravaganza of Balinese traditional dance and music.

Peter Wilson, an Australian renowned show director join effort with Made Sidia, Balinese puppet master that together they brought fresh ideas on the traditional performance and music without leaving its essence. Peter Wilson, acclaimed puppet master is widely recognized as the one of the most significant artist in combining Western and Eastern influence, and is of immense cultural value. Made Sidia, initiated the learning hub communities Sanggar Paripurna - now with 600 students has become one of foremost learning destination for carving art, fine arts, painting, dancing, puppetry, gamelan music and the making various religious ceremonies that open for all passionate students all over the world.

Come and see dancers and musicians in action, villagers in rehearsals, classes and Balinese life up and personal at Desa Visesa.  Our mission to honor the past tradition, by promoting proudness, happiness, peace and good healing spirit. Preserving Balinese philosophy is not for today only it is for the future of Bali – the concept of food, pray and love have enlightened Bali’s outstanding uniqueness and magnificence values that would bring more national and international audiences to the island to experience.

Show at Puri Kantor is perform daily at 11.00 am – 12.00 pm, ticket price IDR 200,000 net/person (include welcome drink). Same as at Desa Visesa, it perform daily at 05.00 pm – 06.00 pm and the ticket price is IDR 300,000 net/person (include welcome drink & light snack).

Desa Visesa offers a brand new level of luxury villas with soul, only a mile away from central Ubud. Situated among 6.5 Hectares lush vegetation, cascading streams, and verdant rice fields, Visesa villa is a haven of peace and tranquility nearby a world famous global village that has become a hub for sustainable tourism and holistic lifestyle.

Visesa blends an original architectural concept of suites and villas that provide generous space and superior comfort with the respect of ancestral traditions and ceremonial way of life.  As an advanced expression of contemporary design values, elements of traditional architecture and noble building materials have been carefully integrated to the modern concept. All our luxury - 66 Pool Villas & 40 Suite units, adorned with stylish furnishings and the newest range of room appliances, express comfort and functionality while retain a feeling of warmth and Balinese authenticity. Four restaurants give limitless dining options and a massive central swimming pool is available for letting the day goes by. As a high-minded property of an enlightened member of the royal Ubud family, Visesa offers, in the heart of Bali, a brand new level of luxury with soul.