Legong Dance: Dance of the Maidens

If you are suddenly instructed to think of Balinese dance, Legong Dance will most likely run the fastest to your thought. Legong is a contemporaneous Balinese dance-drama that integrates quintessance of womanhood and elegance. It comprises detailed finger grooves, passionated facial expressions, complex footwork, and aggressively dancing eyes. They select 2-3 preadolescent girls who possess a refined skill to deliver this delicate dance and insightful story. Numerous variant of Legong is spread throughout the region in Bali, and the best-known title is crowned to Legong Kraton (equally translates to = Dance of Royal Palace). Another one is Legong Ramayana. This theaterical show is escorted by tunable gamelan orchestra, a fantastic companion to this exceptionally revered classic heritage.

It is a privilege to be elected as community’s representative to dance out Legong. Little girls as young as 5 from the villages are sent to strict training. After years of intense practices, the 8 to 12 year-old girls who are the fittest and prettiest will be picked, and retire when they approach 14 which is the common age of puberty. Those who got to perform will be regarded with honour in society. Initially, Legong Dance was solely patronized and conducted by royal families in royal courts. However, it is no longer relatable. Present Bali has been offering dancers at all ages, held as tourists entertainments in public ceremonies and festivals.

There will be 3 girls--2 as Legongs and 1 as attendant--with serious flexibility and agility to pull off these rapid movements, precisely synchronized with one another. The mad keen agitation that involves curved knees and strained arms look professionally awesome. The standard regalia for the dancers are: meters-long soft fabric fastened around the waist and back, gold-embroidered long skirt, wide collar piece of gilt leather, weighty golden floral headdresses, and a hand-fans. With gold ornaments and brocades from top to bottom, the dancers are glittery and enchanting, delineating nymph dancing divinely in heaven.

Tracing back to 19th century, legend has it that Sukawati prince suffered with severe ailment. At one night, he had a realistic dream where two beautiful maidens danced gracefully to gamelan band. He was not able to move on from that, and finally managed to transform it into reality when he recovered. Another version said that it is a tale about Lasem King that abducted attractive Princess Rangka Sari. Unfortunately, it was a one-sided love with Prince Panji as the princess’ heart-stealer. Rangka Sari dared Lasem to go on fair battle with Panji, in which he perished after arrogantly ignore the admonition from a bird of ill omen.

Legong Dance with its alluring visual and exquisite details regularly occupies popular venues like Ubud Royal Palace, Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), the Puri Agung Peliatan palace and the Taman Saraswati Temple. If you wish to be a maximally entertained audience, it is recommended to arrive earlier to secure seats with better angle, also to read the storyline from the brochure beforehand. That way, you can get maximum comprehension with maximum view for maximum satisfaction. Legong Dance is truly an enthralling way to learn about Balinese culture in form of dance.