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Legong Dance Show Tickets at Ubud Palace Bali





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Legong Dance is one of Bali’s most visually alluring royal court performances. The dance is considered one of the island’s most revered classical pieces, known for its physically demanding postures and fast-paced movements which require a significant level of flexibility among its generally young female performers. Choreographed to a set pattern with the finest detail, the dance has been well-preserved through generations. Locals refer to the Legong Dance by its complete designation - ‘Legong Kraton’ - which loosely translates as the ‘dance of the royal palace’. It used to only be shown within closed palace walls in front of the royal family. Through the change of times, you can watch it performed at various open stages and shows throughout the island, such as at the Puri Saren Royal Palace, a palatial landmark in Ubud Central, which is open to the public. Back in the day, any young girl assigned the task of learning the dance – and eventually performing it in the palace – would gain high honour. The Legong depicts angels divinely dancing in the heavens, and is visually distinctive through the performers’ iconic costumes, which comprise a golden floral headdress of considerable size and weight, along with complete regalia from shoulders to feet. Trained dancers carry out movements effortlessly, despite the bulk of their outfits. Legong Dance probably originated in the 19th century as royal entertainment. Legend has it that a prince of Sukawati fell ill and had a vivid dream in which two maidens danced to gamelan music. When he recovered, he arranged for such dances to be performed in reality. Girls from the age of five aspire to be selected to represent the community as Legong dancers. Dancers were recruited from the aptest and prettiest children. Today, the trained dancers are still very young; a girl of fourteen approaches retirement as a Legong performer. The highly stylized Legong Kraton enacts a drama of a most purified and abstract kind. The story is performed by three dancers: a female attendant of the court and two identically dressed legongs who adopt the roles of royal persons. The suggestive themes of the magnificent gamelan orchestra and the minds of the audience conjure up imaginary changes of scene. The story derives from the history of East Java in the 12th and 13th centuries. A king finds the maiden Rangkesari lost in the forest. He takes her home and locks her in a house of stone. Rangkesari's brother, the Prince of Daha, learns of her captivity and threatens war unless she is set free. Rangkesari begs her captor to avoid war by giving her liberty, but the king prefers to fight. On his way to battle, he is met by a bird of ill omen that predicts his death. In the fight that ensues he is killed. The dance dramatizes the farewells of the King as he departs for the battlefield and his ominous encounter with the bird. The tiny dancers glitter and dazzle. Bound from head to foot in gold brocade, it is a wonder the legongs can move with such fervent agitation. The dancers flow from one identity into the next without disrupting the harmony of the dance. They may enter as the double image of one character, their movements marked by tight synchronization. Then they may split, each enacting a separate role, and come together again. In a love scene in which they rub noses, for example, the King takes leave of Rangkesari. She repels his advances by beating him with her fan, and he departs in anger, soon to perish on the battlefield.
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About Legong Dance Show Tickets at Ubud Palace Bali
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About Legong Dance Show at Ubud Palace Bali
The Legong dance is one of Bali's most exquisite royal court performances. It is considered the most highly esteemed classical dance art on the island. It is characterized by dynamic and rapid movements that demand high flexibility from young female dancers. This meticulously choreographed and stylized dance has been preserved for generations. Locals call this performance 'Legong Keraton', meaning 'dance of the palace'. Historically, this performance was held within palace walls exclusively for royalty. Today, you can watch the performance at open stages and various venues across the island, such as Puri Saren Palace, a significant landmark in the heart of Ubud and open to the public.
Why Legong Dance Show at Ubud Palace Bali is a must
The Legong dance stands out as one of Bali's most exquisite and captivating royal court performances. It is a highly revered classical dance art, featuring dynamic and rapid movements that require immense flexibility. Performers wear unique costumes, including large and heavy golden floral headdresses, along with full royal regalia from shoulders to feet, creating a spectacular sight for the audience.
Top things to do at Legong Dance Show at Ubud Palace Bali
The highly stylized Legong Keraton dance conveys the purest and most abstract stories. The story is narrated by three dancers: one court attendant and two identically dressed Legong dancers, portraying important royal figures. A magnificent gamelan gong orchestra and the audience's imagination help create scene transitions. This story originates from 12th and 13th-century East Javanese history. It tells of a king who finds and imprisons the lost maiden Rangkesari. When Rangkesari's brother, Prince of Daha, learns of this, he threatens war if she is not freed. Rangkesari pleads with the king to avoid war by releasing her, but the king chooses to fight. On his way to battle, the king encounters an ominous bird that predicts his demise, and he eventually dies in battle. This dance depicts the king's farewell before heading to the battlefield and his ominous encounter with the bird. Young dancers, adorned from head to toe in shimmering golden silk costumes, move astonishingly with enthusiasm. The dancers can seamlessly switch between roles. Sometimes they may appear as a dual image of one character with precisely coordinated movements. Then they might separate to perform different roles before reuniting. For instance, in a love scene where the king bids farewell to Rangkesari, she rejects his advances by hitting him with a fan, and he departs angrily before later dying in battle.
How to get to Legong Dance Show at Ubud Palace Bali
You can watch the Legong dance at Puri Saren Royal Palace, a significant landmark in the heart of Ubud, which is open to the public.
Location of Legong Dance Show at Ubud Palace Bali
Puri Saren Royal Palace in Ubud Central.
Know Before You Go
The Legong dance is a beautiful and renowned royal court performance of Bali. Performers are typically young female dancers with high flexibility, enabling them to execute dynamic and rapid movements. The unique costumes, featuring large golden floral headdresses and full regalia, enhance the beauty of the performance. The stories depicted are based on 12th and 13th-century East Javanese history, allowing you to learn about the past while enjoying the art.
Frequently Asked Questions About Legong Dance Show Tickets at Ubud Palace Bali
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