Tarian Kecak @ Uluwatu

While we were queing up at the immigration dept. @ the airport, we were bombarded by brochures & pamphlets describing Bali's must-dos, must-sees, must-eats. Being a dramatic person, I am naturally inclined to the cultural shows Bali has to offer.

One such cultural event is the famous 'Tarian Kecak'. One of the site that offers such an attraction is the Uluwatu Temple (Pura Uluwatu).

paved entry

To enter the temple's holy grounds, you are obliged to cover up all parts of your bodies from the waist down to the ankles (sarongs are provided should you turn up in shorts). Also, an entrance fee is required.

procession

Whilst we were there, the locals were carrying out some sort of annual worship festival. The ladies were a sight in their kebayas with a sash in the middle, balancing some offerings on their heads, further accentuating their hour-glass figures.

offerings

Alas, the offerings seemed to be in symbolic only, as the physical 'attributes' were cast aside, as trash. Makes an interesting eyesore.

track to temple

The dance will be carried out in an ampitheater located on the edge of the cliffs. A beautifully crafted stone retaining fence stands between the pavement leading to the ampitheater and the cliffs below.

precarious

pavilion on the edge

guardians

Corresponding to the Hindu teachings that the path to enlightenment will be full of obstacles, our path to the ampitheater, is littered with Balinese monkeys. While they are a tourist attraction at first glance, they became a menace when they are within 3m away from you.

smart-ass snatchers

The monkeys are suspected to be trained to snatch belongings from tourists, (cameras, hats, food, jewelry, etc.) and a local in charge will usually step up after your item had been snatched and proceed to coax the animal to return your item. Thus, you are then obliged to pay the local person who will look like a good samaritan (and is in fact, a part-time monkey-trainer) some cash, in gratitude. you have been warned.

ampitheater & the pintu gerbang

Finally, we get to the ampitheater, where we will be witnessing the Kecak Dance. This Dance will be depicting a heavily edited verison of the Ramayana. Ramayana is one of the most famous folklore that is being retold countless of times through various mediums. The Kecak Dance is of the many creative ways to bring this tale to life.

chorus speakers

Traditional Balinese theaters are accompanied by an orchestra. The Kecak, however, relies on a group of male dancers cum singers who acts like a pack of chorus speakers. They relay the entire story verbally while providing the required sound effects & musics, using nothing but their vocal prowess and some hand gestures. Think human beatboxing.

Act 1

the moulding of a scene Of course, the play will have greater depth if the main characters makes a physical appearance to help our imaginations along. Sita, the tragic heroine

a monster disguised as the golden deer as Sita's temptation

Garuda, a vehicle of Vishnu

This version of the Ramayana covers the exile of Rama, Sita & Lakshman to the forest, the capturing of Sita and ends with the triumphant rescue of Sita from the clutches of the evil warlord, Ravan. Garuda the mythical bird made a fledgling appearance while Hanuman the White Monkey General stole the show.

the crowd favourite - Hanuman

Ramayana's real ending however, does not end with a rescued princess nor was there a happily-ever-after between Sita and Rama. Despite its rather sexist + racist concept and because of its multi-faceted interpretations, the Ramayana remains one of the most endearing Indian epic of all times.

scene finale - storming of the palace in flames

It was, to me a generally appealing play, an eclectic mix of Balinese culture with Hinduism, acted out with much gusto and talent. Watching a timeless legend from an ampitheather perched precariously over towering cliffs, overlooking the sun setting into the sea. Priceless, no?