I Made Jimat and the Godogan dance

I Made Jimat is one of the best known dancers and choreographers of the classical Balinese tradition. Born in 1948 in Batuan Village, he is considered to be one of Bali's living treasures. Although contemporary, Jimat has been able to create new works which have become Balinese dance standards, now performed throughout the island.

Made Jimat Batuan Ubud Bali Frog DanceJimat first achieved fame in 1967 by creating the Frog or "Godogan"Dance. This dance re-enacts a Balinese version of the familiar fairy tale about the princess who marries a frog. The story goes like this:  A prince disappears while searching for dragonflies in a dense forest beside a volcano. A few years later a frog emerges and is believed to be the reincarnation of the lost prince. One day the prince-frog encounters a beautiful princess and falls in love. Rejected, the frog decides to become a monk. At that moment the God Wisnu blesses him and turns him back into a handsome young man and he is able to fulfill his dream of          Photo courtesy of Matthew Spong ©2008
marrying the princess.                    

The Frog Dance is accompanied by a folk musical instrument called genggong whose sound is similar to Jew’s harp. The genggong creates a pleasant background music which is reminiscent of the sound produced by the frog.

I Made Jimat gives dance lesson at Villa Hotel Mandala Desa Batuan Ubud In his newly choreographed dance drama “Kang Cing Wi”, Jimat again draws upon the rich tradition of Balinese folklore, this time re-interpreting another ancient legend into "Topeng" or mask dance, populated with clowns, conflict and royal misdeeds.

As the story opens, Dewi Danu and Kang Cing Wi, the two wives of King Jayapangus are feuding. Bhatari Batur, Dewi Danu's mother becomes so furious that she turns both Kang Cing Wi and King Jayapangus in to monsterous Barong creatures as punishment.

Despite her intention to punish the pair, they acquire magic power and return to guard and protect villages and villagers from demonic influences and thus they are honored as magical sacred effigies.
Limited dance or music classes with I Made Jimat are now being offered for guests of the villa Mandala Desa in Banjar Lantanghidung, as photo at left shows.






MORE TO COME:
I Ketut Kantor























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