I Gusti Gede Rai (I Gusti Rai)

Father of Agung Alit, I Gusti Rai is a Balinese Art Legend. A personal favourite of Indonesia's First President Suharto, he became famous not only for his incredible talent as an artist himself but also for his collaborative work with world-recognised foreign artists and filmmakers. Born in Bona Village, Gianyar Regency, Bali,
I Gusti Rai demonstrated exceptional talent from a very young age. He learnt and mastered almost all classical Balinese art forms and is credited with creating the Kecak Monkey Dance and Balinese Fire Dance, both of which are now famous in Bali and indeed all over the world.

I Gusti Rai worked with many famous artists during his life: in the 1920s and 1930s with Walter Spies, Charlie Chaplin and other artistic luminaries of that time.

In 1992, I Gusti Rai worked with master filmmaker Ron Fricke as part of his ground-breaking feature film Baraka. I Gusti Rai choreographed, co-produced as well as featured in the visually stunning Kecak "Monkey Dance" sequence. Ron Fricke, also renowned for his work on films such as Star Wars Episode III, Koyaanisqatsi and Chronos captured these incredible scenes with his own custom built, computer operated super wide lens 70mm camera.

Watch the scene from Baraka in full below. I Gusti Rai, the "chant master" is featured from about 2:00 (2 minutes) onwards...

I Gusti Rai loved to share his natural talent and
passion for the Arts, and worked tirelessly to this effect,
inspiring and educating not only his local Balinese
community but also everyday Balinese villagers
via his regular workshop programmes.

I Gusti Rai played an integral role in the
establishment of Bali’s international reputation
as a dynamic and rich artistic cultural center.

Such a reputation is now being
enhanced and expanded through the
inspirational efforts of his son, Agung Alit.

About

- Bona Alit

- Sanggar Bona Alit (Bona Alit Art Space)

- Agung Alit

- I Gusti Rai

- Agung Rai

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