Wednesday, September 25, 2024

When devas descend, they communicate


Akasha devas are the "shining ones" from the celestial worlds, the heavens, who from time to time visit humans, who note their grace, elegance, and orderliness. What do they say when they visit humans? They are able to communicate directly and telepathically, by mimicking human languages, and by archetypes and dance. Some ships or vimanas pulse lights, colors, shapes, and frequencies to send their messages down. Bali, Indonesia, retains a Hindu dance tradition from India (kathak), which seems to be the stylized body language and interpretive dancing of female devas (devis) and apsaras depicted on the bas relief walls of Borobudur, the largest excavated Buddhist temple in the world as well as the ornate Angkor Wat in the jungles of Buddhist Cambodia. - Wisdom Quarterly

Legong Semarandhana in Balerung stage, Peliatan
(Bernard Marchal) Marchal is an amateur videographer and a simple tourist. His channel has no commercial purpose. He often travels to Indonesia, in particular to the Hindu island of Bali.

As he is passionate about video and Balinese culture (Hindu ceremonies, traditional dances, and music), he often films events and shows he attends. It is his way of recording memories of his stays and, more importantly, making known the rich culture of the island.

Legong Semarandhana on Balerung stage, Peliatan, Tirta Sari. Dancers: Aan Devita and Nitha Suwitri. Recorded Nov. 23, 2018.

This dance was filmed on the Balerung stage, in the small town of Peliatan (near Ubud, Bali), where world famous Balinese dances and gamelan music began.

Indeed, the first international tour of Balinese artists in the US and Europe in 1952 brought together a group from Peliatan led by A. A. Gede Mandera.

Since that time, Peliatan has remained one of the historic centers of Balinese dance and music. Two groups of the famous 1952 troupe are Tirta Sari and Gunung Sari, which give shows for visitors every week. Tirta Sari on the Balerung stage on Friday evenings and Gunung Sari on Saturdays.

Many of the best dancers in Bali learn their art in Peliatan. Legong Semarandana is a dance that developed in Balinese royal courts.

The narration refers to a long Javanese Hindu poem, a myth about the origins of love and passion between humans, embodied by the couple in love: Semara, the god (deva) of love, and Ratih, the moon goddess, interpreted by two twin dancers who perform a choreography symbolizing their harmony.

Lord Shiva then intervenes, furious to have had his meditation disturbed by the couple [because what god wouldn't be furious to be disturbed by humans and their behavior on earth].

Semara tries in vain to pierce him with arrows [like Cupid is said to do in Western mythology]. Lord Shiva, who takes on the appearance of the terrible Rangda, curses the desire that forces him to create the mortal world and intends to reduce the two lovers to ashes.

Apologies for any inaccuracies in the story summary and thanks in advance to anyone who can correct or complete the explanation.

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