Tari Legong Lasem part 1

The Legong Lasem is probably the most well known and most performed of all the Legong dances. Also called Legong Kraton ("Palace Legong"), the story is taken from the history of East Java in the 12th and 13th century. It tells of the King of Lasem and how he found the maiden Rangkesari lost in the forest. He abducts her and locks her up. The King of Lasem attempts to woo Rangkesari but she refuses his advances because she is already engaged to Prince Panji. Rangkesari's brother, the Prince of Daha, learns of her captivity and threatens to declare war unless she is set free. Rangkesari pleads with the king to set her free so that war may be averted but the king preferred to fight. On his way to battle, he meets a bird of omen that predicts his death. The bird's prediction came true and the king dies in battle. I was a bit hesitant to upload this video because I find the dancers' movements to be somewhat unrefined and a bit too frenetic. Compare this dance with Legong Legod Bawa that I've uploaded. There's a definite difference in the quality of the dances. Regardless, I don't believe there's a somewhat complete version of Legong Lasem on Youtube. I hope you enjoy it :).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bali
• Balinese
• tari
• tarian
• Indonesia
• Indonesian
• gamelan
• Southeast
• Asian
• dance

[SiKedek]

I do see your point about the frenetic quality of these particular dancers - in fact, it seems this is prevalent among the groups who perform in the Peliatan area (is this the Gunung Jati ensemble? - I think I recognize one of the drummers). This particular interpretation (could it be a pan-Peliatan thing) seems a bit too "mechanical" to me.

[elibris]

Yes you're right, this ensemble is indeed from Peliatan. It's the Yamasari ensemble led by Cokorda Alit Hendrawan. It's very interesting to know that the "frenetic" quality of the dance is a Peliatan trait. Thanks for the info.

[pispolina]

Balinese dances are one of the best expressions of performing arts.

[baby000blues]

This is the proud of Indonesia!!!

[jamesmcashan1]

there is an ancient hunting dance like this, in islands Pacific, that may be the origin of these Tari. this dance may be older than language, millions of years. the diplay of eyes to audience is also seen in Africa, by poor males who wear face paint and "prostitute" to women with money for company and service, similar to presidents of nations (we pay their hair dressers and "make-up" artists) and employees for the primitive monkey soap opera game of business. - james mcashan for the US Senate

[halfrek]

@elibris Yes it's true they have a mechanic quality, however it must be taught to them on purpose because of how "natural" all of the performers move in that fashion. It definetely appears deliberate. I think the sharp motion more birdlike honestly. =)

[MrHalohalo85]

@MrHalohalo85 two well known examples of such historically indian-southeast asian philippine dances are the singkil and pangalay.

[MrHalohalo85]

@cocoalinsug Maybe only in the Visayas and lowland Luzon. But if u go to Mindanao, you'll see the Indian and Southeast Asian influences that used to cover the whole country still very alive there in the music, dance and culture of the Lumad and Muslim peoples.

[dydiarifien]

well, it's quite hard to find the original version of legong kraton, there are too many of em..

[SukmaMatahari]

@jenmajol Yes, we ARE family! We Indonesians have a lot of foreign influences (Indian, Chinese, Persian, Arabic, Western, etc), but basically your people and our people are of the same stock. Be proud of our common root! Mahalo!

[jenmajol]

the dances are as beautiful as the people... its as if we're family the way you guys dance is like ours... i'm ploynesian btw.... mahalo for da video.

[craig6t]

This is quite amazing. The women definitely have a full grasp of the dance form. I especially like the facial expressions and eye movements. They are expressing here the unpredictable, yet graceful freedom of the Goddess. She is playful, yet always capable of holy anger, just like the HIndu Goddess Kali.

[kumarsa108]

Balinese culture has to be one of the most harmonious on this planet. I love it!

[darkflamedra]

i just came from a workshop in bali tuesday and this is one of my favorite performances