Young choreographers preserve 'legong'

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.