I was born in Penestanan, Bali and am a pioneer of Balinese tourism. I have a personal YouTube video.
I have lived in Sanur and Ubud and travel widely. By the early 1970s I owned 4 shops on Sanur beach and had opened Ubud’s first real restaurant, Murni’s Warung, overlooking the Campuan River. I am still very active in the restaurant.
During my adult life I have been busy collecting and becoming an expert on Asian antiques and textiles and many of them are to be found in Murni’s Warung Shop beside the restaurant. I was the first person in Ubud to have a proper gallery of antiques, textiles, costumes, old beads, tribal jewelry, stone carvings, masks and other ethnic pieces. Many of the pieces are museum quality. I am a member of the Thai Textile Society.
In 2007 and 2009 I exhibited part of my collection at the prestigious shows, Arts of Pacific Asia and Tribal Arts & Textiles, in San Francisco and gave a lecture on Balinese textiles to the Textile Arts Council at the de Young Museum. I participate in Balinese culture on a daily basis.
I have written numerous articles on Balinese art and culture and books
Secrets of Bali, Fresh Light on the Morning of the World
Murni’s Very Personal Guide to Ubud
From Tattoos to Textiles, Murni’s Guide to Asian Textiles, All You Need to Know ... And More
Murni’s Bali Tours, Where to go, What to Do and How to Do It
Murni’s Warung, Forty Delicious Years, Murni’s Warung, Ubud, Bali, 1974–2014, From Toasted Sandwiches to Balinese Smoked Duck