Legong Dance – Bali

          Legong Dance is the most graceful of Balinese dances. There are various forms of the Legong Dance, but the Legong Kraton is one most often performed. A performances involves just three dancers. The two Legong and their attendant known as Condong. The Legongs are identically dressed in tightly bound gold brocade. So tightly are they encased that it’s something mystery how they manage to move with such agility and speed.Their Faces are elaborately made up, their eyebrows plucked and repainted, and their hair decorated with frangipanis.

         The Dances Relates how a king takes a maiden, Rangkesari, captive. When Rangkesari’s brother comes to release her, he begs the king to let her free rather than go to war. The kings refuses and on his way to the battle meets a bird bringing ill omens. He ignored the birds and continues on to meet Rangkesari’s brother, who kills him. The dance, however, relates only the lead up to the battle and end with the bird’s appearance. When the king leaves the stage he is going to the battle that will end in his death.

         The dance starts with an introduction by the Condong. She departs as the Legongs enter. The Legongs Dance solo, in close identical formation, and even in mirror image formation when they dance nose to nose love scene. They relate the king’s sad departure from his queen. Rangkesari‘s request that he release her and the king’s departure to battle. Finally the Condong reappears with tiny golden wing as the bird of ill fortune and the dance ends.