The Journal of the Siam Society Vol. LXXI, Part 1-2, 1983 - Khamkoo

REVIEWS 257
colour plates of batik paintings, in origin Javanese, of dances are superfluous, and why
in the line drawings only the kendang, suling and gender are illustrated among all the
musical instruments forming the Balinese gamelan is a mystery.
These are minor quibbles. The book is attractive, authoritative, informative
and alas expensive. Whether Balinese dance is any more transitional now than previously
remains to be seen. Covarrubias in the 30s doubted whether under the impact of
tourism Balinese culture could remain intact. Half a century later, the authors of
this volume voice the same doubts, in a period when the trickle of tourists has become
a deluge. The Balinese ability to adapt and survive is remarkable, and it is devoutly
to be hoped that they will continue to do so in a transitional and perhaps increasingly
ke/od world.
Nanyang Technological Institute,
Singapore
Michael Smithies