Into the Modern World

Since its discovery by dutch scholars and western artists in the early decades of this century, bali has become synonymous with Shangrila-the last paradise on earth. Bali's rapid entry into the 20th Century and the subsequent tourist invasion of the 1960s and 1970s has unfortunete parallels in other tropical idylls, where the usual result has been a loss of cultural identity and native charm. But history shows that Bali has resisted major cultural invasion in the past, essentially by integrating and adapting foreign elements in to their own incredibly resilient and flexible living traditions. The polyglot nature of Balinese art, with Indian, Hindu - Javanese, Chinese, Islamic and european influences all in evidence, is striking example of the Balinese ability to digest and absorb -a fan here, a gold arabesque there, new deities everywhere - and to reject those elements not compatible with their sophisticated, conservative, integrated way of life. A popular misconception among foregners is that the Balinese art have lost much of their lustre-that gamelans are rusting in their pavilions and dancers have left the stage for a job on the juice blender. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In many ways, Bali si currently undergoing a cultural renaissance, with bigger and brighter temple festival, ancient artforms being revived and more musical ansembles active than ever before in the island's history.

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Nyoman Sandi Houses For rent in Bali
Jl. Sriwedari 64 Ubud
Bali 80571 - Indonesia
Ph. 62-361-973456
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