Visual Expression of Bondres Mask (*)

摘要

There are many Balinese topeng dance drama, Pajegan, Panca and Prembon, also known as Wali, Bebali, and Balih-balihan dance. Balinese topeng dance drama has many kind of topeng characters and the most intriguing ones is a common topeng called Bondres. Bondres visualise an ugliness facial expression that may caused by disability or disorder; Craniofacial Malformations, as the medical term known. Bondres visual expression as a commoner is very contrast compared to its counterpart, the Dalem character, which is more superior and mighty. Bondres represent wong cilik; the commoner in Balinese dance drama with its own distinct gesture and not bound to any decorum, unlike the king or queen that bound to its common gesture to be superior and mighty. Topeng Bondres is topeng wicara or sibakan thus humour or parody are essentially their act.