Kecak and fire dance
Kecak and fire dance is the most unique Balinese dance which is not accompanied by any orchestra/gamelan but by a choir of seventy men. It has it’s origin in an old ritual dance “Sanghyang” or Trance dance in the Sanghyang dance a person in a state of trance communities with the deities or ancestors. Using the dancers as a medium, the deities or ancestors convey their wishes. In the 1930’s the old Indian epic Ramayana was included into the dance.
Briefly the story runs as follows:
Due to a wise prince of Ayodya, Rama the legal heir to the throne of Ayodya, was exiled from the realm of this father Dasarata. Accompanied by his wife Sita and his younger brother Laksamana, they went into a forest called Dandaka.
While they were in the forest the demon king Ravana found them and lusted after the beautiful Sita. Accompanied by his prime minister Marica, they made a trick to steal Sita. Using his magic power Marica transformed himself into golden deer. Disguied as a golden deer they succeeded luring Rama and Laksamana away from Sita. Ravana, making use of this opportunity, kidnapped Sita and took her to his palace Alengka.
Discovering the deception, Rama and Laksamana set out to rescue Sita from the clutches of the demon king assisted by the huge army of monkeys under the command of their king (Hanoman). Rama succeeded in getting his wife back safely. Some episodes of this epic are represented in the following acts:
Act 1. Rama, Sita and golden deer
Rama, Sita and Laksamana enter the arena. The a golden deer appears. Sita ask Rama to capture the deer for her, Rama leaves Sita under Laksamana’s protection. Soon, a cry for help is heard. Sita thinks it is the voice of Rama and send Laksamana to help him. At first Laksamana refuses to leave her alone. Being accused of expecting Rama’s death so that he can merry her. Laksamana becomes very angry and leaves Sita alone.
Act 2. Sita, Ravana, Bagawan and Garuda
Ravana appeared and wanted to kidnap Sita. But he failed and then by his bad mind changed himself to Bagawan a thirsty old man. He asked Sita for a glass of water. Sita took pity to see him. Then she brought him a glass of water. But suddenly the old man took Sita away. Sita cried and shouted asking for help. Her shouting was heard by the Garuda. Then he helped Sita. He fought against Ravana but failed and got injured in his wings. Then Ravana brought Sita to Alengkapura.
Act 3. Twalen, Rama, Laksamana and Hanoman
Rama and his brother Laksamana were lost with their servant in Ayodyapura forest. He remembered his wife Dewi Sita that had been taken away by Ravana to Alengkapura. Then he met Hanoman (White Monkey). Rama asked it to meet his Wife “Sita” in Alengkapura. Hanoman went to Alengkapura by bringing Rama’s ring in order to be given to Dewi Sita,
Act 4. Sita, Trijata and Hanoman
Accompanied by Trijata, Ravana niece, Sita is bemoaning her misfortune in the garden of Ravana Palace. Hanoman (White Monkey) apperas. He tells Sita that he is Rama’s enjoy and shows her Rama’s ring. Sita gaven him a hairpin to be taken Rama with a message that she is waiting for Rama’s rescue. And Hanoman headed for Alangkapura park, then damages it so it is in disorder. The servants of Alengkapura were surprised to see it becouse it was in a seriious condition and then told giants to took for those who made the damage. They cought Hanoman and then bound and burned it. Because of the supernatural power of Hanoman (the white monkey), finally he escapes from death.
Act 5. Hanoman, Ravana, Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Trijata
Rama and Laksamana accompanied by Hanoman challenged King Ravana to war, with divine power they defeat King Ravana. And finally Rama can be reunited with his wife.
