Like Sorcery. The Irresistible Art of the Legong Dance

The magic of dance is to be found everywhere on the island. Whether its a mere performance or a sacred ritual, the hypnotic sounds of the gamelan guide the steps of men and women, keeping spectators’ eyes glued to the stage. It would be madness to leave Bali without having witnessed at least one evening of the Legong Dance, the most fascinating of them all. Born as entertainment for the royal court, it was once practiced by young dancers destined to a prestigious future - as adults they would stop dancing to marry nobles or rich merchants. Intricate movements of the fingers characterise a refined style which requires discipline, flexibility and grace. Gold and vivacious colours illuminate the clothing of the dancers as they hit the stage with traditional stagings of stories featuring a male character, the condong - like the tale of the Javanese king Lasem and the princess Rangdesari, from the famed book of the Malat. In Bali, it is possible to see performances of the Legong in the temples, palaces and even on the street. In Ubud, the cultural capital of the island, the most popular performances are at the Royal Palace (Puri Saren Royal Palace), at the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) or at the Temple of Pura Saraswati.