Young choreographers preserve 'legong'<\/p>\n
By Kadek Suartaya<\/p>\n
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The dancers moved elegantly, performing a
\nlegong dance depicting the passionate love of Shiva, the god of
\nfor his wife, the goddess of Durga.<\/p>\n
The legong dance entitled Nila Semara was a rechoreography of
\na classical legong dance which is now in danger of disappearing.
\nNila Semara, choreographed by Nyoman Wiwik Hartati, and two other
\ndances -- Semara Ratih, by Putu Setyarini, and Gelatik, by Ketut
\nDeidiari -- were performed at the auditorium of Denpasar's
\nInstitute of Arts recently.<\/p>\n
The performances of the new versions of legong, final projects
\nof the institute's students, captivated their teachers and the
\naudience.<\/p>\n
It was not that all the dances were exceptionally
\nreinterpreted by these young artists. But, their works have
\nenlivened the Balinese dance world.<\/p>\n
People in local art circles are concerned over the dwindling
\nnumber of talented dancers who can continue performing centuries-
\nold classical Balinese dances, especially legong.<\/p>\n
Artists like Guruh Soekarnoputra and many others consider
\nlegong one of the country's most precious cultural inheritance.<\/p>\n
According to Guruh, the legong dance has become a trademark of
\nBalinese arts but it is difficult to find legong performances and
\nlegong dancers in Bali.<\/p>\n
Guruh presented his choreography recently derived from the
\nclassical Legong Kraton entitled Anusapati, at Gedung Kesenian
\nJakarta, and it was enthralling. He combined classics and glamor
\nto entice the audience.<\/p>\n
It is saddening to know that many young people in Bali do not
\nrecognize legong dance. Sukawati village in Gianyar regency was
\nknown as one of the places where legong and other traditional
\ndances were taught and developed. Today, there is no such
\nactivity.<\/p>\n
After the charismatic legong dancer Ni Ketut Reneng died a few
\nyears ago, many found it very difficult to transfer her dance
\nskills and knowledge to the youth in the village and adjacent
\nareas in Bali.<\/p>\n
The living dance master, I Gusti Raka Saba, in this art
\nvillage complained nobody wanted to become a legong dancer.<\/p>\n
Legong is a legacy of Balinese court arts.<\/p>\n
There are about 18 legong dances. Some of them have been
\nrevived.<\/p>\n
Of the 18 dances, only a few are traceable. Legong Lasem is
\none of the few still known.<\/p>\n
The standard legong plot is mostly based on a cycle of an East
\nJavanese epic story which centers on the adventures and the life
\nof Prince Panji. Legong Lasem tells of a tragic love affair
\ninvolving the King of Lasem, who falls deeply in love with a
\nbeautiful princess, Rangka Sari. The king tries hard to win the
\nprincess's heart, but she is already engaged to Prince Panji.<\/p>\n
The Panji story, Ramayana epics, legends, myths and the beauty
\nof nature -- flora and fauna -- can become sources of
\ninspirations and artistic expression for a legong repertoire.<\/p>\n
Jukka O. Miettinen, in a book entitled Classical Dance and
\nTheatre in South-East Asia, writes that legong is a mix of
\ntraditional dances like the Sang Hyang Dedari trance dance and
\nGambuh theater.<\/p>\n
Previously, one variety of legong dance was performed by young
\nboys, but, by royal command, it was rechoreographed for
\npreadolescent girls.<\/p>\n
The plot of each dance is a story giving certain dimensions to
\ndramatically elements. A legong dance places emphasizes mostly on
\nits harmonious movements, inspired by animal movements, and
\nelaborate, sacred and rhythmical music.<\/p>\n
Legong dancers are dressed in gold-embroidered costumes,
\noriginally worn by members of royal families, headgear filled
\nwith fresh flowers, and holding fans in their hands. The dances
\nare usually accompanied by singing and gamelan music.<\/p>\n
Legong has been modified into various styles. Each area
\ndevelops its own style.<\/p>\n
Continuing efforts to preserve legong are badly needed,
\notherwise this precious art legacy will soon vanish from Balinese
\ndance stages.<\/p>\n
Young choreographers are called on to stand at the forefront
\nin the preservation of legong and other Balinese art forms.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/young-choreographers-preserve-legong-1447893297",
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