Legong

The Legong is a dance that originated on the Indonesian island of Bali and continues to cultivate. In modified form ( the Legong, plural: the Legongs ) can the term continue to refer to the dancers who bring dance to the performance. Depending on the story, which is represented in the dance, the ensemble can include two to five dancers, with the most common version of the Legong Kraton ( Legong of the palace ), will be performed by three dancers.

Allen Legong performances are common to the elaborate costumes made ​​of tightly wound brocade, decorated with the frangipanis flowers headdress, the intensely painted faces of the dancers and the accompaniment by the orchestra Gamelan pelegongan. The smallest nuances of facial expressions and gestures serve to convey the story below and the emotions associated with it. The dance makes high demands on the skill of the dancers, and is often described by connoisseurs as the most beautiful Balinese dance. The leading music instruments in the ensemble are pelegongan several Metalophones (gender ), the smaller saron xylophone, the hanging hump Gong kempur and small gongs ( kemong and Kajar ).

Legong Kraton

The Legong Kraton, or Legong of the palace tells a story from the Java the 12th or 13th century. To begin entering a servant of the palace, the Condong, dressed in purple brocade, the stage and leads the audience into the story a. When the two Legongs, Actress of the king and princess appear, it passes them in her role as a servant each a fan and then leaves the stage.

The ruler of the kingdom Lasem, King Rangkesari has the princess Panji kidnapped from the neighboring kingdom of Daha. He tries to push for marriage, but is rejected by her, which is already engaged. The Princess knows that her brother has already started a campaign for their release; she urges the king to release them, and thus to avoid war. The rejects the king. When all entreaties fruitless, take princess and king in a synchronous danced sequence from each other farewell. After the Princess has left the stage, the King makes his way to confront her brother in battle.

Here he meets the Condong which now represents a bird that is considered bad omen. By posturing, threats, most recently by pleading she tries to dissuade the king from the disastrous path. Also, it fails. After the Congdong and finally the King left the stage, he goes to the fight that will end with his death. The fight itself is not shown on the stage.

The Legong Kraton is also called Legong Lasem, according to the Kingdom Lasem, the legendary site of the incident.

Venues

Ubud as an artistic center of Bali is the place to experience a variety of Legong performances. In addition to the Legong Kraton described above also episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata are presented. The performances take place in temples and the palace of Ubud.