The Story of Legong Dance

Bali is well known to the whole world as a paradise on earth. The beautiful scenery, the beaches and the mountains are not the only main attraction. Bali is also known for the tradition. People in Bali still do rituals in their daily life. They have tens of traditional dances, ceremony, clothes, music instruments and others. Bali really is a paradise on earth, an exotic island rich in culture.

Amongst all, Legong, has become one of the most famous traditional dance in Bali. This dance is often put in a show as a way to attract tourists. But, just like any other traditional dances, Legong also has some stories behind it. A story that tells who started the dance, who created it and the how to choose the dancer and why them.

The story of the birth of the legong is started in early nineteenth century. A prince in Sukawati was in a coma condition caused by his ill. In his coma he saw two beautiful nymphs dancing a feminine and delicate dance. Not only he saw the dance, he heard the sound of music that accompanying it as well. Struck by the mysterious and beautiful sight and sound, later after his health revival, together with artists of the village, he transformed his imagination into reality. So, born the Legong, another performing arts form, as a gentle touch of the arts to the already arts fertile island.

At first legong, as well as other dances at the time, allows only male dancers. Many decades later, female dancers take place, brought Legong dance to the new height as we see today. Girls from the age of five aspire to be selected to represent the community as Legong dancers. Only the most beautiful will be chosen to dance and representing the nymphs as seen in the dream.

Legong is usually performed in a stage called Kalangan. This is an open space with a kind of horse shoe half circle created by the spectators. With a big tree, usually an enormous banyan tree overshadows the stage, and an elevated beautiful carved candi bentar gate as the back drop, from where the dancers emerge, the stage is complete. Watching legong performance in such a place under moonlight at night is quite an experience, for some, this also means a revelation.

http://baliarticles.com/2009/07/10/the-story-of-legong-dance/