Balinese dancing is world renowned and we decided to make an effort to see quite a bit in our short time here. We traveled north to the Batubulan village to see our first dance performed in a dedicated theatre. We had front row seats for the princely sum of $20 each for the hour long Barong and Kris Dance show.
Barong is probably the most well known dance. It is a story telling dance, narrating the fight between good and evil. This dance is the classic example of Balinese way of acting out mythology, resulting in myth and history being blended into one reality.
The barong, mystical dragon-like creature, is portrayed by two dancers wearing a huge sway-backed body with trailing hair and a curved tail. He is a symbol of good, associated with the right and white magical powers. His counterpart is Rangda, an evil panged which with long fingernails, pendulous breasts and a long flaming tongue. She is queen of evil spirits and rules the graveyards and the darkest night, specializing in black magic and evil. The Barong and The Rangda are parts of an eternal pantomime that represents the conflict between good and evil, and the symbolic play they enact is part of a purification ceremony that is designed to restore the equilibrium of these two forces, a means of strengthening the spiritual resistance of the village; maintaining the good health, physical and spiritual, of the community.
Here's a short video clip to give the essence of the movements.
We called around and found that the Grand Hyatt hotel hosts several buffet dinners with a dance show. Our first one there was…
In legends, Legong is the heavenly dance of divine nymphs. Of all classical Balinese dances, it remains the quintessence of femininity and grace. Girls from the age of five aspire to be selected to represent the community as Legong dancers.
Connoisseurs hold the dance in highest esteem and spend hours discussing the merits of various Legong groups. The most popular of Legongs is the Legong Kraton, Legong of the palace. Formerly, the dance was patronized by local rajas and held in e puri, residence of the royal family of the village. Dancers were recruited from the aptest and prettiest children. Today, the trained dancers are still- very young; a girl of fourteen approaches the age of retirement as a Legong performer.
Rangkesari begs her captor to avoid war by giving her liberty, but the king prefers to fight. On his way to battle, he is met by a bird of ill omen that predicts his death. In the fight that ensues he is killed. The dance dramatizes the farewells of the King of Laserm as he departs for the battlefield and his ominous encounter with the bird. It opens with an introductory solo by the condong. She moves with infinite suppleness, dipping to the ground and rising in one unbroken motion, her torso poised in an arch with elbows and head held high, while fingers dance circles around her wrists. Slowly, her eyes focus on two fans laid before her and, taking them, she turns to meet the arrival of the legongs.
The tiny dancers glitter and dazzle. Bound from head to foot in gold brocade, it is a wonder the legongs can move with such fervent agitation. Yet, the tight composure of the body, balanced by dynamic directive gestures-the flash of an eye, the tremble of two fingers blend in unerring precision.
We spent another whole day enjoying the Hyatt pool and shops and later enjoyed their buffet and saw 5 different dances in one evening.
Sekar Jagat Dance
Sekar means flower, and Jagat means the world. This is a newly created Balinese Dance which means: "The Flower of the World". It is performed by a group of girls, carrying a bowl of flowers called "Canangsari". The happiness in welcoming the guest is presented through the graceful movements of the young Balinese Dancers.
Teruna Jaya Dance
This dance originated from North Bali area (Buleleng) which describes the moods of a young man as he moves from childhood to adolescent. In this case, the performance was done by a lady.
The Cendrawasih Dance
This dance represents the freedom enjoyed by the beautiful peacock of the forest while they fly and splash in the water spring. Cendrawasih means 'Bird of Paradise', and the dance depicts the atmosphere surrounding the birds’ courtship display.
Oleg Temulilingan Dance
This is a story of bumblebee male and female falling in love.
Satya Bhrasta Dance - This warrior dance is performed by a group of young male dancers, which illustrates a warrior’s prowess in battle. The theme is taken from "Bharatayudha", a Hindu Epic, in the scene where Gatotkaca is killed by Karna.
Along with the green layered rice paddies and cheap food, we will certainly remember the unique dancing as one of the highlights of visiting Bali.
Stay with us and we will show you some of the countryside we found by car in a later blog…
Tom
1 comment:
Great post, i love it
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