Palm Leaf Wall Hangings
Palm leaf wall hanging, 'Praying Buddha'
"I like writing on lontar as I feel happy expressing and appreciating our ancient traditions and culture, " professes Nengah Dika. Akin to a scroll, the lontar or palm leaf unfolds from bamboo rods to reveal the presence of a young Buddha, in prayer.
'Buddha's Prayer of Hope'
Buddha's spiritual teachings inspire Debadatta to etch his portrait on palm leaves and colors it with natural dyes. Buddha appears in meditative pose under a banyan tree, holding out a hand in the "ohm" sign. Known as "Talpatachitra, " this art form originates in Orissa, India.
Palm leaf wall hanging, 'Across the Ocean'
Hanoman, one of the most celebrated heroes of the Ramayana, appears on this lontar (palm leaf) scroll about to cross the ocean. According to the epic legend, Hanoman built a bridge over the waters so that Rama could rescue his beloved Sita.
'Great Epic of the Ramayana I, ' wall hanging
Nengah Dika recounts the epic tales of the Ramayana in a series of 24 fascinating palm leaf panels. Etched with delicate precision, the palm leaf or lontar panels are framed by two hand-carved bamboo rods which in turn are connected by three sturdy filaments.
Palm leaf wall hanging, 'The Flying Goddess'
The goddess Sri holds a sheaf of rice. Consort of Wisnu, the god of sustenance, she is venerated at shrines set up in rice fields throughout Bali. Sri is often depicted flying, representing her blessings on crops all over the island.
'Kumbakarna, ' wall hanging
Kumbakarna, the brother of Rahwana, fights against the powerful simian army in this paneled wall hanging by Nengah Dika. Eventually, the divine arrows of Rama, the hero, and his brother Laksmana defeat Kumbakarna, cutting him down mercifully one body part at a time.
'The Months, ' Balinese calendar
The Balinese calendar is depicted by Nyoman Witarsa on palm leaf panels framed by bamboo rods. Intricate designs reveal those days of the year most suitable for performing certain activities, communicating the influence of each day upon the whole.
Palm leaf wall hanging, 'Symbol of God'
A work of faith by Nengah Dika, this lontar (palm leaf) scroll depicts Acintya, hailed throughout Bali as a symbol of God and a reference to his supreme power.
'Rahwana Fights against Jatayu, ' wall hanging
The immortalized battle between Rahwana (the evil ogre king) and Jatayu (the mighty eagle) inspires this wall hanging by Nengah Dika. Jatayu attempts to rescue Rama's wife Sita, but is unable to defeat the gigantic foe.
'Goddess Saraswati, ' wall hanging
This traditional script portrays Saraswati, the central deity of the Hindu feminine trinity. Nengah Dika creates this intricate work with two hand-carved bamboo rods framing each section which in turn are connected by three sturdy filaments.