Topeng Dalem with Kadek Sudiasa at Sawidji
Excerpt
Topeng Dalem. The King, the Mask and the Dance.
Topeng Dalem represents the King, Dalem Waturenggon, associated with the Golden Age of Balinese Kingdom of Gelgel during the 16th century. He is known within this narrative as loving, benevolent and wise. A compassionate King. That is why, according to Kadek Sudiasa, in order to carve and capture the essence of Topeng Dalem is difficult. To capture the calm and gentleness of this King, with what he describes as having a particular softness around the eyes. It is this very subtlety within his character that makes it difficult to capture. He lacks the obvious characteristics that are embodied in Topeng Keras or Topeng Tua.
Kutipan
Topeng Dalem. Raja, Topeng dan Tarian.
Topeng Dalem mewakili Raja, Dalem Waturenggon, terkait dengan Zaman Keemasan Kerajaan Gelgel Bali pada abad ke-16. Dia dikenal dalam narasi ini sebagai pengasih, baik hati dan bijaksana. Raja yang penyayang. Itu sebabnya, menurut Kadek Sudiasa, untuk mengukir dan menangkap esensi Topeng Dalem sulit dilakukan. Untuk menangkap ketenangan dan kelembutan Raja ini, dengan apa yang dia gambarkan memiliki kelembutan tertentu di sekitar matanya. Kehalusan dalam karakternya inilah yang membuatnya sulit untuk ditangkap. Ia tidak memiliki ciri-ciri nyata yang terkandung dalam Topeng Keras atau Topeng Tua.Not all mask dancers can dance the Topeng Dalem. I think this may be because his character is in the middle. It is by gesture and expression (in the context of the dance) between the movements of man and that of woman. The Dance of Topeng Dalem is both masculine and feminine at once. To embody this character in the middle is the most difficult. As dancers, we have our character. In the instance they perform Topeng Dalem, if he comes across too hard, it does not capture the essence of this dance. We have to be gentle. Firm and dignified with gentle movements and gestures. That is the complexity of Topeng Dalem. Making the mask is difficult. To dance the dance is difficult.
When we discussed the process of capturing the essence of Topeng Keras and Topeng Tua, together with the nature of the dance that embodies their character, it is a study and dedication to strength and age. I pondered that perhaps Topeng Dalem is different because the essence of his character is most uncommon. We can relate to the Hard Mask or the Old Mask. Everyone may be hard and assertive, but everyone can relate and have a relationship with age. But not everyone may be a King.
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