The amazing performance of more than 5,000 ‘Kecak’ dancers Friday night at the sacred Tanah Lot Hindu temple in Tabanan regency, south of provincial capital Denpasar, was expected to give a signal to the world that Bali is recovering after it was hit hard by bombings in October 2002 and October 2005.
Bali has made thousands of efforts to revive its ailing tourist industry since the island was hit by the two terrorist attacks. One of its endeavors was to hold this “Cakolosal 5000″ performance involving dancers, students, government officials, villagers and local community group members.
Initiated by Tabanan Regent Adi Wiryatama, the performance was aimed at uniting Balinese from diverse walks of life to stand together and face the more difficult challenges ahead.
The Kecak dance is one of Bali’s communal artistic activities and generally involves around 50 to 150 people in each performance. Commissioned initially by German artist Walter Spies from a group of Balinese dancers in Gianyar’s Bedulu village, the Kecak dance has grown to become one of Bali’s most popular dances.
The number of dancers in the Cakolosal performance reached 6,400 people, who had practiced more than four months for the event.
Officially opened by Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, the stunning performance of thousands of dancers was made possible due to the dedication and perseverance of choreographer I Gusti Agung Ngurah Supartha.
The Kecak dance starts at sunset, and is an adaptation of an episode from the Ramayana epic, featuring a conflict between good and evil. The dance illustrates a scene in which a monkey troupe led by Hanuman go to battle with King Rama of Ayodya against the ogre king Rahwana of Alengka, who has kidnaped Rama’s wife Sita.
Wearing black-and-white checkered costumes, the dancers entered the Tanah Lot courtyard, creating a dramatic impact against the temple’s surroundings. With large waves rolling in from the Indian Ocean, the chanting of the dancers echoed in the dark night.
The dancers ran and formed concentric circles shouting the syncopated “cak, cak, cak” chant, from which the dance draws its name.
The harmonious chorus was accompanied by swaying and other movements to create various figurations — waves, flowers, fire — and as the story teller chanted the Ramayana story, the dancers entered a solemn trance state.
Jero was convinced that Cakolosal would restore Bali as one of the world’s favorite destinations.
“It is very difficult now to find airline tickets to Bali, especially during weekends. This indicates that people have already come back to Bali,” the minister said.
The event was highlighted by a number of other dances dedicated to the god of the sea and all deities who protect the paradise isle
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