Balinese culture is compiled, documented and communicated through Balinese language. When paper was not invented yet, its people wrote their language on the palm leaf. In Balinese it’s called lontar. Languages in use were Old Javanese (Kawi) and Balinese. Each character is carefully incised on the surface of palm leaf by sharp knife or mutik. Having completed the writing, the entire works are then rubbed with traditional ink made from lamp shot and oil to blacken. Other than on palm-leaf, the also wrote on the surface of copper plate or stone, especially for historical notes on temple or building inscription. Both have become an important relic that retained historical information for us today.

Writing Balinese language is not merely a matter of writing activity. It comes into contact with the twin essences, namely Balinese language and its character. Preservation of the language seems to have a good progress. Students starting from third year at elementary school have been thought Balinese language and its character. It is expected, they will have at least a basic knowledge on this subject. Then, they are also proud of and remain to get in touch with the root of their cultural identity. For student, learning language just intended to get academic score and the communication itself will be boring. But when trying other function of language like expressing the beauty of languages though poetry, prose or drama or the combination of language and picture (graphic) like calligraphy and cartoon will be more immensely interesting because this has put the language into its real practice where emotion, time and space get involved together. The letter is now widely developed as lovely souvenir products sold to visitors.

Endeavour to preserve Balinese language have also been undertaken though informal activities, both the spoken and written. Spoken language have undertaken through the chanting along with its paraphrasing into vernacular Balinese language, poetry reading, speech contest and interactive discourse through electronic media (radio and television), while the written one is through the competition of writing on lontar leaf. The letter was frequently organized in several activities such as in the Bali Art Festival, village youth club and some other Balinese cultural events.

As a matter of fact, ancient lontar manuscript contain a variety of knowledge, starting from literature, technical instruction on farming, astrology, traditional herbal medicine, rituals, chronicle, ethnic and so forth. By now, they are retaining in some museums and >lontar documentation centres spreading though out Bali.

In relation to this preservation, Department of Balinese Studies at Udayana University or elsewhere as the ‘think thank’ should be maintained at all times. Similarly, young generation must be encourage to learn more about Balinese language along with all aspect about it and keep on discovering the potency inside.