Kecak Dance Colossal with 5000 Kecak Dancers in Bali
09/18/2006 07:37PM
Contributed by: WMC_News_Dept.
CAKolosal will be a gathering os 5000 kecak dancers near the Tanah Lot Temple in Bali. The dancers will be singing the
characteristic cak... cak... cak...This record-breaking dance performance
will be held Friday, September 29th to encourage world peace and support Bali
Tourism.
CAKolosal is an idea which has three particular urgent aspects. They
are the spiritual aspect, the cultural aspect and the economic aspect where each of their
implementations expectedly would become a starting point of the spirit of
initiative and togetherness. In a broad sense, such condition encourages regional development that is based on local society in
accordance with its roots and culture.
The Kecak dance, as one of daily Balinese’s art activity, presents Bali and
particularly Tabanan. Furthermore, it represents then reflects a dynamically of
spiritual senses that could transform due inspiration and peace. For instance,
its move and sound are simply part therefore both demonstrates the dancers
coincidentally that presents a philosophy of brotherhood.
Claiming to be unconcerned whether or not the mass trance dance qualifies for
the Indonesian Book of Records, the regent of Tabanan, N. Adi Wiryatama S. Sos
M.Wiryatama insists the main purpose of the dance is to permit the people of his
regency to deliver an important message of peace to the world.
Quoted in the Indonesian language website tempointeraktif.com, the dance will
involve performers from various tribes, racial and religious groupings.
According to Wiryatama: "We are utilizing the concept of gotong royong
(joint community cooperation) involving every component of the Tabanan
community. There are teachers, armed forces members, police, students,
university undergraduates, members of community organizations, and local
traditional groups participating in the dance . . . they are all unpaid and, at
the most, will receive a small packet of rice to eat."
Because of the large number of dancers participating in the performance of the
Cakolosal, practice sessions are being broken into local community and village
sub-groups. At the most recent count 6,400 people are currently practicing for
the performance, with organizers expecting at least 5,000 dancers to show up on
the day of the actual event.
Wiryatama is hopeful that the Cakolosal in Tabanan will pave the way for a twice
weekly kecak dance performance scheduled to be held near Tanah Lot temple every
week. The future performances involving a normal number of kecak dancers will be
held at a 2.5 hectare Surya Mandala Cultural Park that will be able to
accommodate a maximum of 5,000 spectators at each presentation.
The Surya Mandala, according to Wiryatama, has been designed to respect
environmental values at its panoramic seaside location. Only 25% of the site
will be used for construction, and that primarily for simple structures that are
"easy on the land."
The special Cakolosal performance will bear the title of Kumbakarna-Rahwana Lina
and will portray the kidnapping of Sita including the death scene for Kumbakarna
and Rahwana.
The Choreography for the Cakolosal will be handled by I Gusti Ngurah Supartha, a
well known choreographer hailing from Tabanan.
For more information go to:
World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20060918193731317