In the heart of Ubud, where the scent of frangipani lingers and the sounds of gamelan echo through moss-covered walls, stands Puri Kantor Legacy—a living monument to Bali’s enduring dialogue with the world. More than just a royal residence, it is a bridge between centuries: between Bali’s past as a sovereign kingdom, its colonial encounters with Europe, and its place today as a beacon of cultural diplomacy and artistic excellence.
The story of this historic palace, and of the royal family that built and preserved it, is deeply intertwined with the legacy of Tjokorda Gde Rake Soekawati—a statesman, cultural diplomat, and visionary leader who helped introduce Bali to the global stage long before Indonesia gained its independence.
A Royal Vision in a Time of Transition
Born in 1899 in Ubud, Tjokorda Gde Rake Soekawati was a descendant of Bali’s highest ksatrian nobility, inheriting not only royal lineage but also a profound sense of duty to his people. Educated during the Dutch East Indies period, he entered public service at a young age, rising through administrative ranks before succeeding his father as King of Ubud in 1919.
At a time when Bali was still a largely insular society under colonial rule, Tjokorda Gde Rake Soekawati stood apart. He was a reformer, fluent in diplomacy as much as tradition, whose belief in intercultural exchange helped lay the foundation for Bali’s future as an international cultural hub.
By 1928, his influence reached beyond Bali’s shores. Representing the island at the Youth Congress in Batavia, he witnessed the birth of Indonesia’s nationalist vision encapsulated in the historic “Sumpah Pemuda” (Youth Pledge) — one nation, one people, one language. His presence there signaled Bali’s early participation in shaping a modern, unified Indonesia, while retaining its distinctive cultural identity.
Bali Meets Europe: The Seeds of Cultural Diplomacy
In 1931, Tjokorda Gde Rake Soekawati led the Balinese Cultural Delegation to the Paris Colonial Exposition, marking Bali’s first major introduction to Europe. Accompanied by the Balinese Calon Arang theatre troupe and other artists, he brought the spirit of the island to the heart of Europe—where Balinese art, dance, and ritual were received with awe.
The performances left an indelible mark. European audiences, accustomed to distant Orientalist fantasies, encountered a living, breathing culture that was both deeply spiritual and astonishingly sophisticated. Critics hailed Bali as “the island of the gods,” and Parisian artists and scholars soon began to travel eastward, drawn by what they saw as a living Eden of art and ritual.
This was no mere cultural showcase—it was the beginning of Bali’s global narrative. Tjokorda’s diplomatic foresight transformed perception into exchange, setting the stage for what would later become one of the most remarkable cultural relationships in Southeast Asia.
During his European tour, he also undertook studies in agriculture and livestock systems in the Netherlands, showing a pragmatic vision of modernization—balancing the preservation of Bali’s identity with the pursuit of practical knowledge from abroad.
From Monarch to Modern Statesman
Following the Second World War and Indonesia’s proclamation of independence in 1945, Tjokorda Gde Rake Soekawati’s leadership entered a new phase. In 1946, during the Denpasar Conference, he was appointed the President of the State of East Indonesia (Negara Indonesia Timur), a Dutch-backed federal entity encompassing Bali, Sulawesi, Maluku, Nusa Tenggara, and Papua.
Although this role placed him in a politically delicate position, he used his influence not for personal gain, but for national unity. His Sukawati Motion—a proposal for Bali to remain a Hindu island within a unified Indonesia—was not an act of separation, but of preservation, seeking balance between diversity and cohesion.
By 1950, he supported the dissolution of the federal state in favor of full integration with the Republic of Indonesia. It was a defining act of statesmanship—placing unity above power, and the greater good above personal ambition.
A Palace as Living Heritage
After his years in politics, Tjokorda returned to Ubud, where he continued to champion Balinese arts, culture, and spirituality until his death in 1967. His home—Puri Kantor, originally established by his ancestor Tjokorde Putu Kandel as Puri Saren Kangin Balelan—became the heart of his legacy.
Once the seat of Ubud’s governance, Puri Kantor evolved into a cultural and intellectual center, hosting visiting artists, scholars, and foreign dignitaries. Its walls witnessed the exchange of ideas between East and West, ritual and modernity, faith and philosophy.
Today, under the stewardship of his descendants, the palace stands reborn as Puri Kantor Legacy—a space where history is not confined to memory but lived daily. To preserve the site’s vitality and share its heritage with the world, the royal family has opened the grounds to the public.
Visitors can now experience the puri not just as spectators but as participants: walking through its serene courtyards, attending performances in its pavilions, or enjoying Balinese hospitality at its restaurant, café, and public pond. The complex also features a small heritage hotel, artisan gift shop, and event venues that sustain the palace’s upkeep while honoring its cultural soul.
The Living Bridge Between Worlds
The story of Puri Kantor Legacy is more than a tale of restoration—it is a reflection of Bali’s relationship with the world. From Tjokorda Gde Rake Soekawati’s early diplomacy in Paris to today’s efforts to preserve Balinese traditions amid globalization, the thread of continuity remains unbroken.
It is a reminder that heritage is not static—it evolves, breathes, and finds new meaning with each generation. Puri Kantor stands today as a symbol of that evolution: a living bridge between Bali and Europe, between the royal and the everyday, between the sacred and the shared.
And in its quiet courtyards, under the shade of ancient trees, the spirit of dialogue that began nearly a century ago still lingers—whispering that true legacy lies not only in what we inherit, but in how we choose to keep it alive.
