ARJA

Arja is one of the Balinese favourite folk operas, developed since the end of 19th century. the dances are based on the elements of the Gambuh dance, the sacred dance only performed for certain ceremonies. The number of dancers varies according to the story, but usually consist of a princes and her female attendant Penjeroan, the queen, the king of prince with his two servants Penasar and Kartala, and if preferred they will add with some other common peasants, ordinary people a priest and his daughter or son, and the alcohol-seller clown Dagang Tuak.

Penjeroan, Penasar and Kartala are played by the clever dancers for they have to sing well, to dance fluidly, to translate the lyrics sung by their masters and mistresses, and especially they have to build the atmosphere in order to get a close communication with the public.

Arja is played anywhere; on a modern stage, a public hall, or even just an open-air arena shaped by the children sitting around. The music consists of a pair of drums, cymbals, flutes, a pair of big and small gongs, and a number of metalophones instruments, The stories vary; fictions, legends, history, mythology, or even the Chinese love story Sampik-Ingtai.