Bali has been called Asia’s last paradise, but few visitors have access to the
hidden knowledge that lies beneath island’s landscape of natural beauty,
enchanting dances, and eye-catching art. Saraswati in Bali gives readers an
inside view of life in the village of Peliatan by examining the influence of the
Hindu goddess Saraswati on a sacred temple festival and a nearby museum.
The Pura Madya temple festival coincides with the day set aside to honor
Saraswati, and the meaning of each ceremonial event, from the colorful street
processions to the philosophical banter of the clowns, can be traced back to
palm-leaf manuscripts dedicated to Saraswati, parts of which appear here in
English for the first time. Saraswati’s teachings also provide inspiration for the
paintings, performances, and rituals on display daily at the ARMA Museum. The
relationship between these two community institutions offers new insight into how
the Balinese reinvigorate their traditions by adapting to the global realities of life
on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.