Description: |
This is the final mask of any topeng pajegan performance. He brings an offering that has been prepared by a priest during the performance and offers it as a blessing to the village, sometimes catching a small child in his arms to receive coins that are a part of the offering. With an open mouth, he speaks Javanized Sanskrit as the gods' representative on earth. In the babad, he is initially called Brahmana Keling, (the Brahmin from Kalinga), who arrives at Dalem Batu Renggong's Court demanding to recognized as a brother. When his request is denied, plagues and locusts sweep over the land until he his called back and installed as the high priest of the kingdom, becoming Sidha Karya -- He Who Completes the Ceremony. The story is resonant with the impact of India, through Kalinga, on Balinese culture and demonstrates the sometimes difficult sharing of power that evolved between the priestly and warrior castes in traditional Bali. The mask is also frequently used for Dalem Bungkut, the demon king of Nusa Penida, who became all but immortal and practiced great wrongs on his own people in order to attract the one man who could kill him -- the hero Jelantik, armed with the tooth of the Naga Vasuki. |