SACRED OF
BALINESE DANCE AND DRAMA
 Balinese culture commonly
expressed into dance and drama. Dance and drama have an important role and historically in
Balinese culture. In the religious occasions, dance and drama are the expressions of
artistic to be dedicated to the gods. A temple ceremony
without dances is unthinkable. Dance, drama and music become one part harmony
collaboration of the Balinese culture.
There are several kinds of dances:
- Entertainment dances, to please the spectators including the gods.
- Temple dances, as Pendet and Kris dance
- Trance dances, as the Fire dance.
- Ritual dances, as the Baris
The following are brief information of some well known dances.
Barong
This dance drama tells about the struggle between the good (Barong) and the evil (Rangda).
The dancers fight in trance and stabbing themselves. At the end of the performance the
priest help them out of trance with holy water. The message of this dance is the message
of Bali Hinduism: Nor neither good, nor bad can obtain victory
complete. The battle will go on and go on and there only will be harmony when there is a
balance between them.
 Kecak
Performed episodes of the Ramayana story. Dance by a group of young men choir sitting on a
circle with burning torches in the center. They shout "cak" in rhythm and wave
their hands
Legong
This classical dance tells about the kidnapping of princess Rangka Sari by the king of
Lasem; and prince Daha try to rescue his sister.
The Sacred Dances of Bali
For more details information and whoever enthusiast in Balinese dances; The Sacred Dances
of Bali is a perfect book to read. This book is written by Christian Racki, a French
dancer and choreographer a consultant for Asia to the International Dance Council,
associated with UNESCO. This book consists of 120 pages with color photographs.
Inquiry could be made to dance@pande-bali.com |
