Nine senior artists awarded

DENPASAR: Bali administration gave awards to nine senior artists for their important contributions to the preservation and development of Balinese traditional arts. The awards were presented on Monday night personally by Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika at the Ksirarnawa indoor stage at the Werdhi Budaya art center, the main site of the 34th Bali Arts Festival.

Presenting awards to the island’s senior artists has become a time-honored tradition at the annual arts festival.

The recipients were I Gusti Ngurah Ketut Sudiarta, 64, master puppeteer from Tabanan; I Made Suwana,73, a dancer from Ubud; I Made Mertha, 68, a wood carver from Gerih village, Badung; I GN Oka Putra, 70, an actor from Denpasar; AA Gede Dharma Agung, 60, undagi (traditional architect) from Bangli; I Wayan Cenik Wijana, 64, a musician from Karangasem; I Nyoman Usana, 69, a poet from Nusa Penida; I Made Suama, 61, a musician from Jembrana; and Ketut Jingga, 60, a dancer and maker of musical instruments.

“This award is our token of respect and appreciation to these esteemed individuals, who have dedicated their lives to preserve and develop our cultural legacy. May their lives inspire the younger generations to tread a similar path of aesthetic achievement,” Pastika said.

One of the recipients, Cenik Wijana, said that the award had made him very proud. Each of the senior artists received a certificate and Rp 6 million (US$636) in cash.

Pastika bowed before the frail I Made Suwana, who was too ill to join the photo session with the governor.