Night in Bali
A Celebration of Balinese Performing Arts
Dance, Gamelan, Shadow Puppet Theater

Featuring I Nyoman Sumandhi, puppet master;
Ni Putu Sutiati, Balinese dance; and the SDSU
Gamelan Orchestra

Saturday, March 25, 2000
8:00 p.m.
Hahn University Center
University of San Diego




General Public $8, USD Students/Faculty/Staff  free with I.D.
Tickets available at the door.  Open seating.

Note: Participants in the "Heart of Bali" workshop will receive reduced admission fees and special seating for this event.

I Nyoman Sumandhi was born into a long line of Balinese dalangs or shadow puppet masters.  His father was the renowned dalang Bapak Rajeg, one of Bali’s greatest topeng dancers and puppet masters.   Sumandhi, who has performed widely all over the world, is one of Bali's most highly revered dalangs.  He is the Center for World Music's Year 2000 Artist in Residence.

For this special event, Pak Sumandhi will perform "The Death of Kumbhakarna," a moving episode from the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana.

The shadow puppet theater or Wayang Kulit is regarded as the pinnacle of the arts in Indonesia. Dalangs are recognized as master artists as well as spiritual leaders. Becoming a dalang involves a mastery of traditional music, dance, and choreography, as well as the repertoire and theatrical techniques associated with the shadow puppet theater.

Performing with Pak Sumandhi will be his wife, Ni Putu Sutiati, who is an accomplished Balinese dancer and dance instructor.  The Sumandhis will be accompanied by the SDSU gamelan orchestra and a gender wayang (Balinese metallophone) ensemble.

This event is co-sponsored by the USD Department of Fine Arts and the USD Associated Students Cultural Arts Board.