Batuan (alternate: Batoeon or
"Baturan") is a village in Bali, Indonesia. It is noted for its
artwork and style of painting which originated in the village in the 1930s and
has since emerged into a major Balinese artistic style, known as a Batuan
painting. It is a major painting center and contains a number of art galleries
and cooperative art societies which have played a key role in promoting the art
of Batuan. The village is also known for its performance of the ancient Gambuh
dance, performed every Full Moon day.
There are two temples on the western part of the
village which are known as Pura Puseh and Pura Dasar. These temples are built
in classical Balinese temple architecture style with elaborate carvings. Visitors
are given vermilion sarongs to wear during visit to the temples. The town is
also popular for carved teak wood furnishings. The village also has a "fat
Buddha statue" (called the "Fat Baby Statue") at the cross road
from Sakah to Blahbatuh is facing east.
LOCATION
Batuan is located in central Bali about 10
kilometres (6.2 mi) south of Ubud and about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi)
northeast of Denpasar contiguous to northern Sukhawathi village, another
well-known art center. The land in this part of Bali is very flat. The area is covered
by the town excluding agricultural lands is 6 square kilometres
(2.3 sq mi). The town is bounded by streams flowing through chasms or
gorges, which provide water supply to the town. Apart from the streams that
flow through the town, there are also irrigation canals sourced from upstream
dams which provide irrigation facilities to large tract of paddy fields that
surround the village, which was the back bone of the sustenance economy in the
past; economy is now largely dependent on tourist influx and the town is now
part of “World Economy.” By 1995, the village had paved roads.
HISTORY
Batuan has been mentioned in historical record of
Bali since 1000 years ago. The Hindu and Indian influence in the village could
be seen from the art of carvings and some temples. In the 17th century, Batuan
and southern Bali were controlled by the royal family until a priest's curse
led to their losing their control; eventually they dispersed to various parts
of the country. During the period of 1947–1949, most of the Batuan people
remained loyal to the Gianyar Regency and opposed nationalism.
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