Exploring The Enchanting Kecak Dance In Bali

The performers act out the scenes from an ancient epic called Ramayana. It is not just a dance; It is a journey that brings alive the century-old tradition. Kecak Dance of Bali will surely make your sunsets more magical and leave you craving for more! Let’s delve deep into this interesting tradition—- the Kecak Dance of Bali.

History And Story Of The Balinese Kecak Fire Dance

The History

• The history and story of the Balinese Kecak Fire Dance has its roots in an ancient Balinese ritual called Sanghyang, which was performed to remove evil spirits or bring about spiritual healing. During this ritual, dancers would enter a trance-like state.
• In 1930, a Balinese dancer named Wayan Limbak collaborated with a German painter Walter Spies, to transform the Sanghyang into a dramatic performance by incorporating elements from the Ramayana, an epic story. They brought this innovative dance to different parts of the world, making it popular. The Kecak Dance of Bali is now one of the favourite add-on tourist attractions. 
• Today, the Kecak Dance of Bali is regularly performed in various locations on the island. However, you cannot miss the experience of Kecak Dance Uluwatu Temple!
• This breathtaking show is at Pura Uluwatu, served daily against a stunning sunset. You can also find Kecak Dance at Temples in Bali such as Tanah Lot, GWK Cultural Park, Pura Dalem Ubud, Padang Tegal Stage, Batubulan, Umadewi Stage, and more. Explore the famous places for Kecak Dance in Bali below!

The Story

Scene 1:

•  Imagine a brave prince named Rama(Indian Hindu God), who’s walking in the forest with his beautiful wife Sinta (Sita) and his loyal brother Lakshmana. 
• Prince Rama spots a beautiful deer that shines like gold. Curious, he goes after it, telling his brother Laksamana to stay behind and watch over his wife Sinta. 
• Suddenly, they hear someone cry out in pain. Worried that Rama might be in trouble, Sinta asks Lakshmana to help Rama.

Scene 2:

• Meanwhile, a mean giant called Rahwana (Rawana) driven by desire, disguises himself as an old saint, requests water, and takes away Sinta to his palace against her will. During this part of the dance, you can feel how worried everyone is. The dancers show Sinta’s fear and sadness through their movements and faces.

(As per the Indian Hindu scriptures this part has been named “Sita Apaharan”).

Scene 3: 

• To save his wife, Rama gets help from some amazing friends. He sends his brother to find Sugriwa (Sugriva), who rules a kingdom of monkeys. The most exciting part of the history and story of the Balinese Kecak Fire Dance comes when Sugriwa’s best warrior; a white monkey named Hanoman (Hanuman) sneaks into the giant’s palace to find Sinta.
• When Hanoman gets caught, Rahwana’s men try to burn him alive. However, Hanoman, instead of burning, escapes and sets the giant’s(Rahwana’s) palace on fire!

Scene 4: 

• With help from his monkey friends, Rama finally defeats the evil giant and saves Sinta, bringing this incredible chapter of the history and story of the Balinese Kecak Fire Dance to a happy ending.

Suggested Read: Dances of Bali: A cultural symbolism of Balinese traditions

Kecak Dance In Bali: A Visual Feast

Bali Kecak Dance: Performance

What sets the Bali dance Kecak apart is its absence of artificial backdrops and musical instruments. Instead, the focus is on a group of 50-60 bare-chested men wearing Balinese sarongs. They sit in concentric circles around a central set of torches. Unlike other Balinese performances accompanied by a gamelan orchestra, the Bali dance Kecak relies solely on the rhythmic chanting of the chorus, representing an army of monkeys. Throughout the entire arrangement, they continuously chant “Cak! Cak! Cak!” or “Keh-Chak,” creating polyrhythmic sounds. A soloist leads this extraordinary vocal orchestra, guiding the chorus with high and low notes while acting as the narrator. The result is a powerful wall of dramatic sound that enhances the play’s action. This is one of the unique experiences to have in Bali.

Attire for Kecak Dance Bali

The male performers, who form the dance chorus, wear traditional Balinese attire. They are often seen bare-chested, showcasing their physique. Around their waists, they wear colourful and intricately patterned sarongs. These sarongs, made from various fabrics, feature bold hues like red, yellow, blue, or green, adding vibrancy to the overall spectacle. The sarongs are skillfully wrapped and secured with knots or sashes.

In addition to the sarongs, the dancers may use decorative accessories to enhance their appearance. These can include waistbands, belts, or ornate sashes that complement the ensemble. Some performers may also wear traditional headpieces such as udeng (Balinese headgear) or selendang (scarves) adorned around their heads.

Combining bare chests, vibrant sarongs, and complementary accessories create a visually captivating display during the Kecak Dance. These costumes reflect the rich cultural heritage of Bali and contribute to the magical ambience of the performance.

Suggested Read: Uluwatu Temple Bali: Insider’s Guide and Advice

Bali’s Kecak Dance: Properties

Special items in the dance which represent the history and story of the Balinese Kecak Fire Dance are:

• Sweet-smelling frangipani flowers that are important for Balinese ceremonies.
• Rattles that make lovely sounds along with the famous “cak cak cak” chanting.
• Real burning coals that dancers bravely step on —– a moment tourists love to watch!
• Special black and white checkered shawls mean something deep in Balinese culture —— they show the balance between good and bad.
• Face masks are worn by dancers playing the giant Rawana and the monkey warrior Hanuman.
• Traditional Balinese offerings that make the performance complete.

These elements come together to recreate the history and story of the Balinese Kecak Fire Dance, making it an unforgettable show for visitors!

Famous Places For Kecak Dance In Bali

• Pura Uluwatu: One of the best locations to experience the best Kecak Dance in Bali is Pura Uluwatu. This mesmerising performance occurs daily against a stunning sunset, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. Pura Uluwatu offers a breathtaking setting for the Kecak Dance.

• Tanah Lot: Another popular venue to enjoy the best Kecak Dance in Bali is Tanah Lot, known for its iconic temple perched on a rock formation. Here, you can witness the dance while marvelling at the beauty of the temple and the surrounding coastal scenery.

• GWK Cultural Park: It is also a prominent destination to witness the best Kecak Dance in Bali. This cultural park not only showcases the performance but also offers various other attractions that highlight the art and culture of Bali.

Other famous places for Kecak Dance in Bali include Pura Dalem Ubud, Padang Tegal Stage, Batubulan, and Umadewi Stage. These venues provide opportunities to immerse yourself in the captivating ambience of the Kecak Dance and experience the rich artistic heritage of Bali.

Suggested Read: Nightlife In Bali: Things You Must Explore On Your Trip

Kecak Dance Ticket Price In Bali

• Kecak Dance Uluwatu Temple Price: 100000 IDR 
• Kecak Dance Pura Ubud Price: 75000 IDR 
• Kecak Dance Tanah Lot Price: 100000 IDR