We saw the Kecak dance in the Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple (south Bali) at sunset

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Kecak is a form of Balinese dance and music drama that was developed

in the 1930s in Bali, Indonesia

We saw the show at the Uluwatu temple

Since its creation, it has been performed primarily by men, with the

very first women's kecak group starting in 2006

Also known as the Ramayana Monkey Chant, the piece, performed by a circle of performers wearing checked cloth around their waists, percussively chanting "cak" and moving

their hands and arms, depicts a battle from the Ramayana

The monkey-like Vanara helped Prince Rama fight the evil King Ravana

Kecak has roots in sanghyang, a trance-inducing exorcism dance

Kecak was originally a trance ritual accompanied by male chorus

In the 1930s, Walter Spies, a German painter and musician, became

deeply interested in the ritual while living in Bali

He adapted it as a drama, based on the Hindu Ramayana and including dance, intended for performance before Western tourist audiences

Spies worked with Wayan Limbak, who popularized the dance by arranging for performances by Balinese groups touring internationally

These tours have helped make the kecak internationally known

During the show we saw a beautiful sunset

Tirta Sari...Every friday evening, dancers and musicians of Peliatan, on the Balerung Stage in Peliatan

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We enjoyed the wonderful performance of the dancers and musicians

Once a week, on Friday evening, the 37 musicians and 21 dancers give

a high quality performance

Part 1 Instrumental: Sekar Gendot

The opening section of this purely instrumental work adapts music played by the

four genders that accompany the wayang kulit (Shadow puppet play)

Part 2 Puspa Mekar

In this dance, which derives from the temple, offering is made to the

audience as a welcome and blessing

Part 3 Legong Lasem

This Legong is based on an event of the 12th or 13th Century

The first character is Condong, a lady of the court

She is joined by Prince Lasem and Princess Rangkesari of Daha

The story begin when the Condong leaves Lasem has abducted Rangkesari

When he pleeds for her love she reject him and than the crow prince release her

Part 4 Kebyar Terompong

The famous dancer, Mario from Tabananan, caused a sensation throughout Bali

The dance incorporates the use of the instrumental called terompong

Part 5 Legong Jobog

This dance is based on the story of two bothers, king Bali and Sugriwa,

who were turned into monkeys

At the beginning of the dance they are living peaceful together but after

some time we see the two as monkeys

Finally when neither one wins or loses they become tired and recognize each as Bali and Sugriwa, see that they have been changed into monkey and become very sad

Part 6 Barong (dragon like figure) Taru Pramana

In this classical drama and dance, Ciwa, who in charge for “Swarga Loka” (heaven) is being sick and need to be treated by a special remedy taken from

a plant called ‘’Kayu Mendep”

After an exhausting search his wife is finally succesful to get the remedy