OM SWASTYASTU
(A Balinese greeting which means prayers for auspiciousness and well-being to all)

My name is IDA BAGUS KETUT DHARMA. I am an ARTIST and also a GUIDE. I lead a rice paddy field and herb walk from Sakti Village, near Ubud, to Keliki village.

I live in a small, rural traditional village called Keliki which is located just 20 minutes drive north of Ubud. One of the five styles of traditional Balinese styles of paintings originated from my village; hence this type of paintings are simply called the Keliki style. I am an ARTIST who paints in this traditional Keliki style that is characterized by black and white detailed drawings that depict traditional village life and ceremonies. Prior to the introduction of colors by western artists who resided in Bali in the early twentieth century, all traditional Keliki paintings are done only in black Chinese ink. I learned this art from my grandfather who was a very famous Keliki artist. Being the only remaining Keliki artist in my village, I now teach this style of painting to many children from my village, hoping that a few of them will continue this traditional art form.

I am fortunate that my paintings have been exhibited and sold by several major art museums and galleries in Bali, and are collected by many local and overseas art lovers. However, because I am very passionate about keeping the traditional art true and alive, I do not churn out low quality paintings every few weeks just to sell to collectors. In fact, it sometimes takes me 12 to 18 months to complete a painting like the one shown in one of the photos to your right.

I am a TOUR GUIDE. I lead walking tours through rice fields, rural villages, spice plantations and a tropical forest. My 7-Km trek usually start from Sakti Village in Ubud, and end up in my village, Keliki. This trek takes about 2 to 3 hours (note: shorter treks are possible). Along the way, I will explain about Balinese rice cultivation, the subak system of irrigation and also about medicinal herbs and plants. At the end of the trek, you are invited to my home so that you can see how a traditional family compound and home looks like. My wife will cook you an authentic Balinese meal.

In addition to nature treks, I can also assist in organizing the following:

• Bicycling tour: Bicycling downhill from the volancano through backroads and rural villages to Keliki village (p.s. I do not lead this tour)
  
• a traditional Balinese cooking class.

I am also a village PRIEST and I am sometimes asked to perform village ceremonies such as tooth filing and major life's events. Because I am from the Brahman (or priest and healers caste), I also learned about medicinal plants and herbs from my grandfather.

If you plan to visit Bali, the Island of the Gods, I will be delighted to be your CULTURAL and NATURE WALK GUIDE. The best way to contact me is to call me at:

• +62 81 2464 1632, or
• +62 85 8574 54144

As you may have noticed, I have an email address (keliki.artist@gmail.com) but I do not check my emails very often. So it best to call instead.

TERIMA KASIH BANYAK!
(Thank you very much)

NOTE: My name is Choy, and I am a good friend of Ida Bagus. I wrote the above essay about him because he is a very humble and kind person who would never write about himself. His art is truly incredible. He is probably the last remaining true Keliki artist. I also have been on several of his treks and he is a treasure house of cultural and medicinal plants information.