| Pentjak Silat, the indonesian martial art, consists in general of a hard and a soft form.
In the style I started to learn 15 years ago, called pentjak silat setia hati anoman, both elements can be recognized. Traditionally pencak silat is practised in three different ways, olah raga (physical training), bela diri (fighting techniques)
and seni buddhaya (spiritual dance). Although these three disciplines can be taught and trained separatly, they finally depend upon each other. Knowledge of fighting skills is necessary to the dancer
and the movements of dance play an important role during a combat or a so called sparring. Because of their efficacy most fighting techniques can only be simulated. Some years ago I started to develop my own style of theatre based on traditional pentjak silat choreographies using video,
special kinds of music and attributes like masks. Videoclips can be found on YouTube. See for example: The Unexpected, Masks-silat topeng, Naga, How to become a Guru?, Lost in Sound, the Weeping Devil.
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