This time, m (mayumi) got a chance to learn an “old style GARUDA dance” from Maestro, Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik.

garuda ayu bulantrisna djelantik
m, Ibu Bulan, Gung Biang Raka

Dance group of Bengkel Ayu Bulantrisna which based in Jawa came to Bali to learn Legong dance from Maestro in Bali. In their last day they held a dance workshop of old style GARUDA in Balerung Stage Peliatan. Gratitude and thanks, m was invited by Ayu Bulantrisna to join this workshop and learned this old style dance.

The GARUDA dance movements (the agem) of Ibu Bulan was quite different than the movements that m had learned. Such as the position of the elbow and the head. The hips was also different which mainly on the weight positioning. Woo!! So elegance!
The body weight positioning and the hips move simultaneously and this makes the dancer becoming used to it, then it would become difficult when changing the body weight positioning.

garuda ayu bulantrisna djelantik
Belajar Old Style Garuda

m teacher Gung Biang Raka from Peliatan also joined this workshop. Three Legong dancers who often dance at Balerung Stage were also invited. Gung Biang was dancing next to m as as well as teaching her disciples, these three Legong dancers.
When m said “Ohh,, different! There was a ‘kipek’?!” (kind of head movement)
Immediately she went mad to m and said “Yes, there was, you forgot! Didn’t you?!
Waaaa,,,,, m just remembered,,, once she had been taught that same movement to m.

Recently, m watched this dance so often, and this movement was not consisted in the choreography, so that might be the reason why m forgot.

garuda ayu bulantrisna djelantik
Ayu Bulantrisna’s Style Legong, body shape looks like dancer from old painting

We are disciples, although have been learning Balinese dance for long period, just don’t be lazy to practice with a teacher. Keep improving and continuously learn from the master and try to feel the dance.

Unforgettable moments, thank you Masters!

A.A.Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik

Dr. A.A. Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik, Ph.D

A.A.Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik

Profile:Dr. A.A. Ayu Bulantrisna Djelantik, Ph.D

Born 8 September 1947, learn Balinese dance in the Palace.
Her grandfather was a king in Karangasem. As a dancer she had learned from Ida Bagus Bongkasa, I Mario, I Kakul and Gusti Made Sengog in Peliatan. In 1994 she formed a dance group Bengkel Tari Ayu Bulantrisna. Besides as a dancer and teacher she is a doctor and had been a consultant for WHO. In 2012 she was awarded as Maestro of Legong Dance and her efforts on its preservation by the Chairman of Museum Rekor Indonesia (MURI).