Since I attended the Aug. 2 tribute to the late Anak Agung Made Djelantik in Taman Soekasada Ujung, Karangasem, I feel compelled to express surprise at the glaring omission of the evening's highlight - a comic Legong dance performed by Bali's inimitable Made Wijaya (Michael White) - in your Aug. 7 report on the event.

With an audience gripped by the fears of those acquainted with Made's capacity for off-color mischief and the loathing of his detractors hoping for his downfall, Made's debut was nothing short of a theatrical sensation which brought the crowdyoung and old, Balinese and expatriate - to its feet.

With his full plumpness splendidly bound in golden regalia fit for a queen, Made surprised and delighted the audience, elegantly gliding, shimmering and shaking across the stage in perfect rhythm while nonchalantly puffing on a kretek cigarette.

As in the Legong Kraton, the dance ended in tragedy (smoking, after all, is bad for the health) as he collapsed like an ancient banyan tree no longer able to support its own weight.

The poignancy of this parody of the island's mindless tourist dances, featuring saccharine Balinese maidens smothered in makeup serving as wallpaper for lobster dinners, cannot be overestimated.

His fan club is undoubtedly already searching his enigmatic website for clues about the next performance of this multifaceted artist and enfant terrible who now stands on the brink of a promising career as a Zeigfeld Follies chorus girl.

Perhaps it is time for a remake of the Road to Bali starring Made as a Balinese Lucille Ball?

BRUCE W. CARPENTER

Sanur, Bali

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