SAWAN A side-trip southeast of Singaraja passes the small temple of Jagaraga whose reliefs portray: two smug Europeans in a model-T Ford suddenly taken unawares by an armed bandit (a robbery probably inspired by cowboy films), flying aces in one-propped aircraft plunging into the sea; and a Dutch steamer signaling an SOS upon being attacked by a crocodilian sea monster. Even the wicked Rangdas and fertility statues-a dazed mother buried under a pile of children-are skilfully hewn with a delightf ul sense of humor. This trip ends at Sawan, a village with a gong casting industry, a talented group of the bamboo gamelan anglung orchestra and a unique local market that takes place at night. Sculpture that draws on modern moljs is not entirely lacking in the south. On the Pura Dalem of Blahkiuh near Sangeh a relief depicts a Japanese shooting at an airplane, and a temple relief at Panarungan (Mengwi) inter prets the Japanese rape of Balinese girls.  |
Post a Comment