On this special occasion, the Rudana presents an art performance entitled Angkus Prana Procession. This procession essentially is a continuum of previous art performances reflecting the sustainable vision, ideas and expression as well as the philosophy of devotion of the Rudana.
With the above in mind, the Angkus Prana Procession as a meaningful conception of the Rudana's newly published book entitled Bali Inspires, is a further and deeper interpretation of the previous art performances namely the creative colaboration of Panca Tan Matra, Pesamuan Budaya (Cultural Congragation), Modern Indonesian Masters exhibition, the art and cultural performaces entitled "Joged", the Nation Building Art Synergy exhibition and other art events. In spite of the fact that each the above art performance has its own uniqueness as a means of art expression, they are actually inter-related and each becomes an insperable component to embracing the sincere devotion.
So far, the so called spirit to embrace to sincere devotion has been implemented in thought and creative practices in a form of art performances depicting a worship devotion. These art performances aim at giving an appreciation to and arena for the qualified traditional, modern as well as contemporary artists, to express their sense of artistry. This is in consistency with the efforts to make the art and culture as the soul of our nation in line with the Nation and Character Building.
In order to embrace to sincere devotion The Rudana tries to reflect on the heritage of our Founding Fathers who bravely and strongy fought for the independence. To reflect on this momentous event of the Indonesian Independence Declaration on17 August 1945, a vision for the future has been concieved: toward a perfect vision. This vision is to reinstate the importance for all citizens of Indonesia to develop their confidence and sensibility to achieve the highest idea.
The above statement means that the essence of perfect Vision solely belongs to the Most Beautiful of all – God, in all his manifestaion. With this in mind, we can then manage ourself so that we can always be humble in achieving our noble ideas through a step by step process.
The Angkus Prana is a procession consisting of stages towards the Perfect Vision. In other words, it is an effort to achieve the enlightment, a union of self (Bhuwana Alit/microcosmic) and the Greatest (Bhuwana Agung/macrocosmic).
Angkus Prana Procession
In its artistic form, the procession consists of compositions of reflective and meditative motions, of which each of it is a part of intergrated movements that symbolize and reflect the core phylosophical value of Angkus Prana.
A group of nine members of the procession perform a range of movements symbolizing the presence of Dewata Nawa Sanga (the Keeper of the Nine Direction) that, in the East, takes form as Wisnu (North), Sambhu (North East), Iswara (East), Maheswara (South East), Brahma (South), Rudra (South West), Mahadewa (West), Sangkara (North West). All of these eight directions create a harmony with Siwa as the center.
The union of the eight directions that create a harmony also signifies the union of all pranas or life harmonious energy. Through the sincere devotion, performed as grace, prayers and devotion, the noble energy of the cosmic can resonate peace to sustain life.
The Angkus Prana Procession is an insparable part of the previous big event, consisting the Anugerah (the Award presentation) and Prasasti Angkus Prana (the Inscription of Angkus Prana). The event was held through a yoga session and collective prayers with the Rsi (Hindu head priests) as well as important spiritual figures. The aim of the event was to re-affirm and create harmony among man, environtment and God.
The Angkus Prana Procession was later on perfected to become a imaginative and reflective spiritual dance, and not merely as a form of entertaining dance performance. The movements and the accompaniment music were created through a process of careful planning taking into account the sekala (tangible) and the niskala (intangible) forces. Contained in this procession is the phylosophy of essential elements (Panca Tan Matra ) that is an inseparable part of the Srti or the process of creation.
To interpret the values contained in the Angkus Prana Procession, as well as the previous art performances, not only do the dancers have to explore the movement of their own body as a means of artistic expression, but they also have to manage their spiritual potensial in the stages of the procession during the practice. In creating and doing the original composition of the movements, everyone involved is encouraged to find his/her own 'purity' of self, free from memorized movements of other dances they would normally perform which, willing or not, would limit their sense of pure freedom of creativity.
Upon the achievement of the ideal, when the technical and artistic aspects have come together naturally within the dancers, then the Angkus Prana Procession will receive its magical power just like other spiritual devotions. This procession reflects the spirit of the Rudana in their efforts to sincerely devote to the ideal of the art and humanity reflected through their commitment to collect and preserve the art works of maestros from Bali, Indonesia and the world.
As a means of sincere devotion, the Angkus Prana Procession has been materialized through the most dedicated cooperation of individuals in the Rudana team. Thank you to everyone involved in this creative endeavour who tirelessly tried their best to interpret every idea of the procession. Thank you also to Mr. Joop Ave who has given his guidance during the preparation of the procession and to all artists who have put their inspirations into a meaningful composition of the procession.
In sincere devotion, let us all embrace beauty
Greetings,
Putu Supadma Rudana
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