The cremation of Ida Bagus Gede Kesuma of Geria Gede Tegal, Denpasar's
grandest Brahman house (there were 20 odd pedanda at the cremation
today; the deceased's mother , Ida Pedanda Istri Raga, a star of the
Stranger in Paradise on many occasions in 1979-81, was much admired in
the Brahman community) held a rip-soring sending-off for family elder
'Gus de' , the Beau Brummel of his generation. Along with the Pemecutan
family heads, Gus De championed full classical majapahit-style dress on
all occasions. I was chuffed today, arriving at the Brahman palace, to
see that he had chosen a photo I had taken of him, in action at a
cremation at Puri Kesiman some years ago, to adorn his BADE processional
bier.
