In a deliberate and soft tone, he addressed the attending dignitaries, government officials and writers, who hailed from 30 countries.

“I am an old man doing stuff that many people perceive as of little or no importance. I sometimes think I have been forgotten. This award has reminded and inspired me to keep doing this,” Made said while holding up the Lifetime Achievement Award he had just received from Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) founder and director Janet DeNeefe.

Made is a retired teacher, who over the last 46 years has dedicated his life to the preservation and popularization of traditional Balinese children’s stories and games. He has traveled far and wide, in Indonesia and overseas, engaging kids in energetic games and mesmerizing storytelling.

Dubbed the island's most beloved grandpa, Taro has written and published 40 children’s story books, two of which have been translated and published in the United States.

“We present the award to acknowledge and appreciate his enduring commitment and dedication to the local traditional games and children stories, two things that are very important in the education of our children as well as in the preservation of Balinese values and norms,” DeNeefe said, adding that in the past the festival had awarded a similar award to Indonesia's literary giants, such as the late novelist NH Dini and poet Sapardi Djoko Damono.

The award presentation was the highlight of the UWRF's gala opening on Wednesday night.

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