The Epic Story Behind The Ubud’s Legong Dance & Ramayana

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While visiting Ubud, make sure to check out the Legong Ramayana Dance.

This attraction is really famous around the world. The specific place that will held this Legong Ramayana Dance is Ubud. The Dancing is very entertaining, the music unique and skilled, and the story insightful.

The Legong Ramayana Dance is a show that combines dance and drama with theme of Ramayana story. In Ubud there will be so many places that offer you The Legong Ramayana Dance every single night.

Before you jump in to Ubud’s place to watch The Legong Ramayana Dance Here is a brief explanation The Legong Ramayana Dance (IndonesianSendratari Legong Ramayana) is a visualization and representation of the epic Ramayana saga, originally written by Valmiki in the Sanskrit language, in a highly stylized dance artform. Ramayana Ballet performance combines music, dance and drama, usually performed without dialogue.

Meanwhile in Indonesia, Ramayana mainly can be found in two major dance traditions; the Javanese and Balinese traditions, presented as a complete set of performing art including dance drama and intricate gamelan orchestra.

In Java, Ramayana ballet is part of Javanese Wayang Wong tradition, as the performance combines traditional Javanese dance, drama, and music. It is regularly performed in many places, such as: at the Hindu temple Prambanan, also known as Prambanan Ramayana Ballet; Purawisata Ramayana Ballet, at Yogyakarta Purawisata cultural center; and Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta Hotel. While in Bali, Ramayana ballet is performed in two forms, as stylized sendratari (lit. ballet) as those performed in Ubud, or as part of Kecak dance as those performed.

The Ramayana Ballet is a beautiful art performance, amazing and hard to match. This show is able to unify the Javanese arts of dance, drama and music in one stage and one momentum to present the Ramayana story, the legendary epic of Walmiki written in Sanskrit.

The Ramayana story which is performed on this show is similar to the one carved on Prambanan Temple. As many have said, the Ramayana story carved in the most beautiful Hindu temple is similar to the story in oral tradition in India. The long and tense storyline is summarized in four plays or rounds, Sinta’s abduction, Anoman’s mission to Alengka, the death of Kumbakarna or Rahwana, and Rama-Sinta’s reunion.

The Epic Story Behind The Ubud's Legong Dance & Ramayana 1
Legong Ramayana Dance Ubud

In contrast to other types of dances that use music as a companion, kecak dance performance is not accompanied by music rebound at all. The only audible sound comes from the dancers who say the word “cak-cak” in reply. In addition, there was also a clattering sound from the property used by the dancers. The rattling sound is derived from the crank bracelets used on the wrists and dancers’ feet. Therefore, Kecak Dance becomes a very unique dance and dance.

The story begins when King Janaka held a contest to determine the companion of Dewi Shinta (his daughter) who eventually won Rama Wijaya. Followed by Rama’s adventure, Shinta and Rama’s younger brother named Laksmana in Dandaka Forest. In the woods that they meet Rahwana who want to have Shinta because it is considered as the incarnation of Goddess Widowati, a woman who has long sought.

To attract Shinta’s attention, Rahwana transforms a follower named Marica into a Kijang. The effort was successful because Shinta was captivated and asked Rama to chase him. Laksama looking for Rama after a long time never returning while Shinta abandoned and given protection in the form of a magic circle so Rahwana can not kidnap. The protection failed because Shinta was kidnapped after Rahwana transformed into Durna.

At the end of the story, Shinta was recaptured from Ravana by Hanoman, a lively and mighty monkey figure. But when brought back, Rama just did not trust Shinta anymore and think it has been tarnished. To prove the sacredness of self, Shinta asked to burn her body. The sanctity of Shinta is proved to be that her body is not burnt, but it is more beautiful. Rama finally accepted him back as a wife. The Story is pretty long right?

The Epic Story Behind The Ubud's Legong Dance & Ramayana 3
Legong Ramayana Dance Shinta Chapter

Those are the short explanation of Ramayana dance in Bali. Although it has a sacred value, but kecak dance can be used as media to preserve the art and culture of the people of Bali. In the show, kecak dance is performed by bringing the story of wayang of Ramayana. With the display of Kecak dance performances, more and more people are familiar with the story of Ramayana. This dance is presented with the aim to provide entertainment to all Indonesian people and the world. Therefore, Kecak dance is often displayed on stage staging to entertain tourists visiting the island of Bali.

Sendratari prioritizes expression-boosting movements in lieu of dialogue, so it is expected that the delivery of the epic Ramayana can be more easily understood against different cultural backgrounds and audiences. The appearance of Ramayana stories in the form of dance performances is available in various countries such as Cambodia, Srilanka, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and India.

However, The Legong Ramayana Dance in Bali appeared in 1965 at the 5th anniversary of Kokar Bali (now SMK Negeri Sukawati) with I Wayan Beratha performing arts. Since then Kokar Balinese students and ASTI (now ISI) Denpasar students have started to perform Ramayana Ballet which is also accompanied by karawitan and dalang. Bali Arts Festival which started since 1979 started the Ramayana Ballet performance in colossal form, the performance was on open stage Ardha Candra Taman Budaya.

The Epic Story Behind The Ubud's Legong Dance & Ramayana 5
Legong Ramayana Dance, Rama and Shinta Chapter

The Legong Ramayana Dance story attract so many tourists in Ubud, Bali. Sometimes the Ramayana Legong Dance also performed together with Kecak Dance which make it more unique in some ways. In Bali, the staging Ramayana stories are usually incorporated into the story in kecak dance. Kecak dancers will complete the Ramayana story show in Bali, and of course the nuance will be much different from the dance held at Prambanan Temple. Just like in the ballet, this kecak dance performance was divided into several scenes.

The division of the scene is uncertain, depending on the group performing. In some scenes, such as when Laksmana gives Shinta a protective circle, this kecak dancer will move in the middle and form a circle that surrounds Shinta. At the Sugriwa scene against Megananda (Putra Ravana) then the kecak dancer will be divided into 2 parts, as Sugriwa troops and Megananda troops. In ubud8 you can find the Legong Ramayana Dance with or without the kecak. This up to the explanation because in Ubud, the Balinese people believe they have so many talented artists since the old time. Ubud will never disappointing you for this kind of activities.

Some tips for you while watching the Legong Ramayana Dance in Ubud. Please arrive a little Early if you want the front row seats, because as already explained before this attraction is very popular in ubud so many people will come and see even though so many places offering the same attraction. Please bring the camera when you enjoying this attraction in ubud. As we know, for now a days, it’s better to record anything while you can so you will never leave with regrets. Especially you already come so far a way to reach Ubud.

When you watch the Legong Ramayana Dance in Ubud its really important to follow the story from the brochure. This is because they will not provide the English translation while you watch it. People in Ubud wants to make it as pure as possible for the sake of culture. The story has a deep meaning so it’s better to not translate it into another language. In Ubud they usually give you the brochure before the dance started. The last tip for this attraction is Be prepared to sit for a while. The story is a long story since it an ancient story, so it will make you sit for a while. If you are worried about getting thirsty during the performance, don’t worry. Most of the place in Ubud offering the drinks for the customer. I can promise you that this is something that really worth to watch when you are visiting ubud.

During your Bali Ubud Tour, make sure your body always in the healthy condition. If you need a shot for your vitamin during your stay in Ubud you can visit hydro medical clinic to seeking the right IV vitamin for your body, in there you will be handled by a professional health care, and they will make sure that you will get the best treatment for your health. Even you can try to using your insurance too, they will be happy to help you to check whether your insurance will be work or not. Hydro Medical Clinic also can provide the on call service for you, where they can go to your stayed place as long as its reachable for the team.

Be brave to explore more place during your stay in Ubud to create more good photos and don’t forget to interact with local people. During your stay in Ubud, It’s better to stay in local’s guest house so you can live with them and having a good interaction with them. It will make your tour in Ubud becoming more unforgettable. Ubud will offering you so many memories to be blessing of. Happy holiday in Ubud!

Author: Rosa

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