Young choreographers preserve 'legong'

By Kadek Suartaya

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): The dancers moved elegantly, performing a legong dance depicting the passionate love of Shiva, the god of for his wife, the goddess of Durga.

The legong dance entitled Nila Semara was a rechoreography of a classical legong dance which is now in danger of disappearing. Nila Semara, choreographed by Nyoman Wiwik Hartati, and two other dances -- Semara Ratih, by Putu Setyarini, and Gelatik, by Ketut Deidiari -- were performed at the auditorium of Denpasar's Institute of Arts recently.

The performances of the new versions of legong, final projects of the institute's students, captivated their teachers and the audience.

It was not that all the dances were exceptionally reinterpreted by these young artists. But, their works have enlivened the Balinese dance world.

People in local art circles are concerned over the dwindling number of talented dancers who can continue performing centuries- old classical Balinese dances, especially legong.

Artists like Guruh Soekarnoputra and many others consider legong one of the country's most precious cultural inheritance.

According to Guruh, the legong dance has become a trademark of Balinese arts but it is difficult to find legong performances and legong dancers in Bali.

Guruh presented his choreography recently derived from the classical Legong Kraton entitled Anusapati, at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, and it was enthralling. He combined classics and glamor to entice the audience.

It is saddening to know that many young people in Bali do not recognize legong dance. Sukawati village in Gianyar regency was known as one of the places where legong and other traditional dances were taught and developed. Today, there is no such activity.

After the charismatic legong dancer Ni Ketut Reneng died a few years ago, many found it very difficult to transfer her dance skills and knowledge to the youth in the village and adjacent areas in Bali.

The living dance master, I Gusti Raka Saba, in this art village complained nobody wanted to become a legong dancer.

Legong is a legacy of Balinese court arts.

There are about 18 legong dances. Some of them have been revived.

Of the 18 dances, only a few are traceable. Legong Lasem is one of the few still known.

The standard legong plot is mostly based on a cycle of an East Javanese epic story which centers on the adventures and the life of Prince Panji. Legong Lasem tells of a tragic love affair involving the King of Lasem, who falls deeply in love with a beautiful princess, Rangka Sari. The king tries hard to win the princess's heart, but she is already engaged to Prince Panji.

The Panji story, Ramayana epics, legends, myths and the beauty of nature -- flora and fauna -- can become sources of inspirations and artistic expression for a legong repertoire.

Jukka O. Miettinen, in a book entitled Classical Dance and Theatre in South-East Asia, writes that legong is a mix of traditional dances like the Sang Hyang Dedari trance dance and Gambuh theater.

Previously, one variety of legong dance was performed by young boys, but, by royal command, it was rechoreographed for preadolescent girls.

The plot of each dance is a story giving certain dimensions to dramatically elements. A legong dance places emphasizes mostly on its harmonious movements, inspired by animal movements, and elaborate, sacred and rhythmical music.

Legong dancers are dressed in gold-embroidered costumes, originally worn by members of royal families, headgear filled with fresh flowers, and holding fans in their hands. The dances are usually accompanied by singing and gamelan music.

Legong has been modified into various styles. Each area develops its own style.

Continuing efforts to preserve legong are badly needed, otherwise this precious art legacy will soon vanish from Balinese dance stages.

Young choreographers are called on to stand at the forefront in the preservation of legong and other Balinese art forms.