Kecak Dance

Kecak dance is a spectacle like no other Balinese dance. Imagine seventy men with their arms stretched out, hands trembling, creating a booming choir with rhythmic chants of “Cak! Cak! Cak! Cak!” or “Keh-Chak” penetrating the air. This enchanting choir is the only background to the performance, and it becomes an incredibly hypnotic element that draws the audience in from the first moment.

However, there is more to the purpose of Kecak than mere entertainment. The dance is rooted in the ancient ritual known as Sanghyang, in which participants bring themselves into a trance to connect with deities or ancestors. Dancers, acting as mediums through which the divine wishes to pass, fill the space with an ethereal energy, making the performance more than just moving to a percussion beat.

In fact, the creation of Kecak dance goes back to 1930, when Balinese dancer Wayan Limbak and German painter Walter Spies collaborated to develop a variation of the Sanghyang ritual performance mixed with the well-known epic Ramayana . This creative performance became incredibly popular throughout the globe and gained public recognition as one of the best cultural treasures.

Here is a short summary

The story is about the rightful heir to the throne of Ayodhya, Rama, who, along with his wife Sita and brother Laksamana, was exiled to the forest. The demon king Rahwana, attracted by Sita’s beauty, comes up with a cunning plan to abduct her. Using the help of his prime minister, Marica, he is transformed into a golden deer, hoping to lure Rama and Laksamana to the hunt. The brothers part ways, and Rahwana takes the opportunity to kidnap Sita and bring her to his palace in Alengka. Rama and Laksamana go in search of the girl and, with the help of an army of monkeys under the command of Hanuman, free her after a bloody battle and kill Rahwana.

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Act 1: The Arrival of the Golden Deer

Act 1 opens as the curtains rise to see ourselves among the quiet forest Rama, Sita, and Laksamana are walking through. Suddenly, the golden deer prances in the forest. As the deer approaches, Sita’s eyes are caught by this miraculous view as Rama assures Sita that the deer is for her. As Rama gives Laksamana a confident look, he tells Sita that he will return as soon as he finds the deer that has captured her heart.

However, soon the cries for help can be heard in the distance, supposedly her husband’s voice. Sita keeps crying at him until Lakshmana decides to go and imagine the future.

Act 2: The Deception of Rahwana

The shadows lengthen in the darkening forest as Rahwana, the wicked demon king, appears. His eyes burn with lust for Sita, and he resolves to take her for himself at any cost. Rahwana first attempts to grab her but finds himself driven back by her physical resistance and Rama’s protective power.

Undismayed, Rahwana disguises himself as an old beggar, or Bagawan, and begs a glass of water from Sita on the path. Moved by empathy, she complies, handing him the desired water. However, Rahwana undresses his Bagawan guise and whisks Sita into the dark with him. Sita’s cries awaken Garuda, the mythical bird in Hindu religion. Garuda hears and responds to Sita’s grief, having watched her virtue from her childhood.

The great bird sweeps from the sky and lands before Rahwana, talons out, ready to renounce him to save her. Enraged and humiliated in this attempted aurochment, the demon uses his magic to wound Garuda’s vast wings so enormously that it can’t escape him. Defiant, Garuda reclines bruised and bloodied, Rahwana and Sita flee, Garua’s wrath an unfortunate monument to his failed rescue. Sita’s incarceration leads inevitably to sadness as the lights dim on the beautiful forest.

Act 3: In Search of Sita

Lost in the vast darkness of the Ayodya Pura forest, Rama and Laksamana face the dreadful reality of Rahwana’s abduction of Sita.

They march through the forest with heavy heads, overwhelmed by their fears and doubts. But wherever the hero’s last hope comes from, the White Monkey – Hanomana, the symbol of courage, and wisdom. He alleviates Rama's despair and offers his help in this righteous struggle against the evil power of Rahwan. Hanoman swears before Ram that he will journey to the Alengka Pura, arrive, and deliver Ram’s message to Sita.

In entrusting Hanoman with his sanctified ring, the light of love and longing, Rama orders the gallant monkey to transport it to Sita and assure her that he will not stop until he retrieves her.

Act 4: The Valor of Hanoman

With courage and determination, Hanoman journeys to Alengka Pura, boldly venturing forth to rescue Sita and bring her back to Rama’s side. Arriving at the fortress, he demonstrates immense strength, tearing down its walls and sending ripples of destruction through its defenses.

However, Hanoman’s cunning exploits do not go unnoticed, for he is soon captured and tricked by the deceitful giants of Alengka Pura. Helplessly bound and hurled into the burning pyre, Hanoman is put to the ultimate test of his strength and courage.

Bound and cast into the flames, Hanoman confronts the final test of his endurance. But, sustained by his unbreakable heart and commitment to Rama and Sita, Hanoman calls upon his godly strength to break free of his blazing prison and stride unscorched from the inferno. Undeterred and unrelenting, Hanoman strides, ignorant of the difficulties and dangers that lie ahead, searching for a way to save Sita from Rahwana’s clutches and bring her to salvation.

Act 5: The Triumph of Goodness

Sustained by the steadfast support of Hanoman, Rama and Laksmana confront a fearsome king, Ravana, in what may evocatively be described as a divine battle.

They unlock the full extent of their divine abilities with courage and valor rushing in their veins, great and terrible, to obliterate that which hath overshadowed their beloved Sita in the form of righteousness.

The powerful forces of Rama, Laksmana, and Hanoman clash with King Ravana and his evil creatures in a Titanic final battle. Yet in this magnificent struggle, the heroes prove victorious, pushing away the darkness as evil so that Sita shall be restored.

As the last clashes subside and the battle leaves only an echo, Rama and Sita are finally happy to be together. Their example of love and harmony stands as a light of hope in a world full of strife and struggle. Thanks to Hanoman’s selflessness and immortality, the fraternal bonds and righteousness have been proven. A new reign of peace and love is beginning. The story of love and heroism of Rama, Sita, and Hanoman fills hearts with hope and faith in salvation.

Audiences in several cultural venues around Bali, which include Tanah Lot, GWK Cultural Park, Pura Dalem Ubud, Padang Tegal Stage in Batubulan, and Umadewi Stage among others, can expect to see the mesmerizing performance of the Kecak dance, captivatingly portraying the epic story of victory and courage .

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