Ida Bagus is the fifth generation of his family to live in his village, and the 2nd generation of his family to carve. He originally apprenticed with his father, and later worked with other masters to learn much of what he knows today.

His family descends from 1st caste which in earlier Balinese times defined who you were and what you did, but now is largely ceremonial, though if you listen to conversation amongst the villagers you can hear the Halus, or`"polite" form of Balinese whenever Ida Bagus is spoken to.

He is a quiet, polite, very dignified man, who typifies the modern realities of traditional Balinese culture . .those who greet him speak quietly and respectfully, yet as equals, but it is clear that the regard in which he is held by his community has more to do with his effort than his family history. He has taken on other carvers in the village, at last count 9, and in additon to selling to traders and tourists, makes and wholesales all kinds of "native" handicraft to other islands, who in turn sell it to tourists claiming his work as their own . .