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• The Gambuh Dance

The Gambuh is the oldest classical dance in Bali, probably introduced at the time of the Majapahit culture. At a hauntingly slow tempo, the gambuh dance drama tells episodes from the story of Panji's search for his beloved in the kingdoms of Eastern Java. Now retained in only a few villages (notably Batuan and Pedungan), the gambuh combines the best of both female and male Balinese dancing. An unusual feature is the use of long bamboo flutes instead of the complete set of gamelan and gongs.

 The Mask Dance

This mask dance relates the tales of Balinese and Javanese ancestors returning temporarily to inhabit the mask.

Nowadays, the main stories, with their princes and clowns, are preceded by a set of solo mask dances for men - the "topeng keras", or dance of the "strong warrior", the "topeng tua" - a fantastic dance showing the advance of old age in the king's old counsellor, and the "topeng dalem" showing the king in all his glory with enough clowns to fill a circus.
 

• Pendet and Panyembrama

These dances are performed welcome visiting gods, who are presented with offerings of flowers. Nowadays tourists are also showered with flowers.

• The Kebyar Dance

The renewal of the arts during the 30's saw a surge in dance creativity, producing dances that are still the most popular in Bali: short but spectacular non-narrative dances inspired by the dynamism of the gong kebyar, a gameIan orchestra originating from Northern Bali. The most famous are the kebyar duduk and kebyar trompong. The two dances were created by Mario, a Balinese dance genius from this century. They are displays of suppleness and virtuosity, particularly the kebyar trompong, with the dancer playing the trompong instrument while dancing. 

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