Batuan Village, Center of Art in Gianyar Bali

Gianyar is the name of a district in Bali Province which is famous for its arts and culture. For example, Batuan Village is located in Sukawati District. Various types of art develop in this village. This makes the village an art center in Gianyar Regency, which is famous abroad. The following are facts about Batuan Village in Gianyar, Bali.

Geographical location of Batuan Village

Geographically, Batuan Village is located in Sukawati District, Gianyar Regency, Bali Province. The village is flanked by two rivers, namely the Petanu River and the Wos River. The following are the boundaries of the Batuan Village area: To the south is Sukawati Village. To the west is Singapadu Tengah Village. To the north is Batuan Kaler Village. To the east is Kemenuh Village.

Source: kintamani.id

History of Batuan Village

Batuan Village was previously known as Baturan Village. This is stated in an inscription in the year Saka 944 (1022 AD). Quoting from the video “My Village Cultural Story: BATUAN VILLAGE” which was uploaded on the YouTube channel of the Batuan Village Government, Baturan Village is a boarding school as a place of prayer and resting place for King Srie Aji Mara Kata. In return, citizens are freed from having to pay taxes. Gradually, due to developments over time, the name of Baturan Village changed to Batuan Village.

The oldest Puseh Temple in Bali

One tourist attraction of Batuan Village is the existence of Puseh Temple. This temple is often visited by tourists, especially foreign tourists. This temple, which is part of Pura Kahyangan Village, is a place to worship the Lord Vishnu as a manifestation of God who has the function of maintaining the universe and its contents. Puseh Temple in Batuan Village is one of the oldest Puseh Temples in Bali. This temple was built in Saka 944 or 1022 AD. This temple has ancient architecture that still stands strong, so it is very beautiful to look at. Apart from that, in this temple there are various ancient objects or objects such as statues, phalluses, and so on.

The sacred Rejang Surti dance

Batuan Village has a sacred dance called the Rejang Surti Dance. This dance begins with the story of the battle between I Dewa Babi and I Dewa Gede Macaling. In that battle there was a juran, that is, whoever loses must leave Batuan Village. I Dewa Babi finally won the battle, and I Dewa Gede Macaling had to leave the village. Not accepting his defeat, I Dewa Gede Macaling demanded revenge for every sasih kalima (fifth month) up to sasih kasanga (ninth month). To avoid the plague, the people created the Rejang Surti Dance to perform. It is said that because I Dewa Gede Macaling and his men were enchanted by this dance, he gave up his intention to spread the plague in Batuan Village. This dance is then always performed in Batuan Village every Soma Kliwon Klurut, and Kajeng Kliwon Enyitan on Sasih Kalima (fifth month). Residents take turns dancing the Rejang Surti Dance to Sasih Kesanga every day. The residents did not dare to reject it because they believed that this dance was a repellent for evil. So that the residents of Batuan Village will be protected from disease outbreaks.

Typical Batuan painting

One art that is very famous in Batuan Village is Batuan style painting. This painting art has distinctive characteristics and has very complex painting details. Batuan Painting Art was recorded as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB) in 2018. As quoted on the Pahlawan Budaya.kemdikbud.go.id page, Batuan Painting Art became known around 1930s. At that time, anthropologists Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson conducted research, asking the children of Batuan Village to describe their experiences through the medium of painting. Without realizing it, the resulting paintings had a magical feel. To this day, Batuan painting often raises folklore themes such as tantri, rajapala, prospectivearang, wayang stories, religious rituals, daily life problems, and magical matters. However, during its development, several painters took on modern or contemporary themes. As an art village, Batuan continues to pass on artistic talent to the younger generation. One of them is by establishing Batuan Painting Studios which provide courses in Batuan painting to children, so that in the future they can continue the legacy of the ancestors of Batuan Village.

Map and Route to Batuan Village