The island of Bali in Indonesia has secured a reputation as a premier visitor destination with its natural attractions, array of cultural monuments and vibrantly unique culture. The lively kecak dance is an important part of the island’s cultural legacy and visitors should make it a point to watch this distinctive performance.
The Uluwatu Temple is an excellent place to watch an authentic kecak dance performance. Combined with elements of the local fire dance, this enthralling cultural highlight is performed in the evening hours, captivating an audience typically containing many visitors from abroad.
The kecak has its origins in the age-old local ritual called sanghyang, a trance-like dance conducted to the rhythm of cyclical chanting. In its original form the sanghyang was thought to communicate the thoughts and wishes of deities and ancestors. The story goes that a knowledgeable German visitor transformed this ancient ritual, eliminating its otherworldly elements and instead weaving a narrative based on the Hindu epic the Ramayana.
The viewer will notice the complete absence of musical instruments in the kecak performance. On the other hand the visitor will see a group of about 30 shirtless men forming a circle and repeatedly uttering the syllable ‘chak’. The combined effect of the performance with its participants’ droning voices and distinctive costumes creates a uniquely trance-like, almost mystical ambience.
The visitor who is familiar with the plot of the Ramayana epic will find that the kecak performance closely follows the Indian original. The noble prince Rama is unjustly sent into exile, accompanied only by Sita, his loving wife and Laksman, his steadfast younger brother. Ravana, the demon king abducts Sita, who is eventually rescued by the two princes with the aid of the monkey king Hanuman. This enthralling tale about the power of good defeating the forces of evil resonates amongst people of all nationalities and ethnicities. The performance culminates with a spectacular fiery display that never fails to awe the viewer.
This sensational display of the dramatic and theatrical talents of the Balinese truly demonstrates the rich cultural heritage of the people.
If you are visiting the area and seek a beach resort in Bali an appealing choice would be Westin Resort Nusa Dua Bali. This hotel in Nusa Dua offers attractive accommodations with an array of modern amenities.
Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+
