The kebyar duduk dance was first performed in 1925 and designed by I Ketut Marya (better known in the West as I Mario) of Tabanan, Bali.

[1] In designing the kebyar duduk dance, I Mario was influenced by recent innovations in Balinese gamelan, which allowed interpretation of the music as well as a fast tempo.

[5] Video of I Mario performing kebyar duduk was included in the documentary Learning to Dance in Bali, which was completed by Gregory Bateson and Margaret Mead in the 1930s but first released in 1991.

[6][7] "Kebyar" in Balinese means "flash, burst" and in music describes dynamic and sudden changes in volume and tempo.

[9] Generally, the kebyar duduk dance is performed by a single male dancer, though his make-up makes him appear almost androgynous.

[2] The musicologist Michael Tenzer characterizes the relationship between the drummer in the gamelan troupe and the dancer as almost a type of contest.