Bali is known for it’s elaborate storytelling based dance performances. The Legong, Barong, Trance and the Kacek monkey chants. The stories come from epic hindu texts like the Mahabharata infused with local island myths. Every banjar (town municipality) has a dance group that learns and performs the intricate movements, often practicing for years. It’s a highly specialized dance that requires the grace of a ballerina and the bodily communication skills of a Shakespearean actor. The Puri Saren Agung Palace in Ubud is the epicenter of this practice. The best of the best, come here to display their skills and craft. A trip to Bali is not complete without catching at least a few showings at Puri Saren. Still photos can not do the dance justice.
The best performers have what I call prana, they breathe life into the dance and in exact tune with the metal junkyard-esque tuning of the gamelan orchestra, an invisible line is crossed somewhere and the dance is elevated to a mythical place where the story is transmitted rather then told. When you see it happen, you will never forget it.
Here are some videos I’ve searched out on the interwebs:
Barong, Legong Trance, Kecak and Legong. You can see more here.
