The Java-Bali fusion dance storms the world of contemporary dance. The fusion of Bedaya Ketawang and Legong Calonarang brings a new touch in the contemporary dance performance. The fusion of these very different rivets the audiences in their chairs.

The Bedaya Ketawang is a sacred Javanese dance, which commemorate the union between the first Sultan of Java and the Goddess of South Sea, Kandjeng Ratu Kidul. Nowadays, the dance is performed only once a year to celebrate the day Sultan ascended to the throne. This sacred dance exhibits the calm and elegant movements that are the hallmark of Javanese mystical dance.

The Legong Calonarang is a historical depiction of a wicked witch who spreads death and destruction in an ancient kingdom. This dance is performed to celebrate the anniversary of the Temple of the Dead, to remedy ills that have been blamed on practitioners of black magic, to teach history and as an entertainment. The Legong Calonarang is a dynamic and energetic dance that is very different from the slow and meditative movement of Bedaya Ketawang.

Despite this great difference, Retno Maruti and Bulantrisna Djelantik succeeded in combining all the diverse elements of these dances. The result of this great effort was a riveting contemporary dance.

The performance of this new contemporary dance in Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta was a great success. The group of Bedaya Ketawang dancers lead by Maruti exhibited the calm and elegant movements. In contrast, the Legong Calonarang dancers, spearheaded by Djelantik, exhibited dynamic movements representing evil.

The two stood front and center at the performances: Djelantik was Calonarang, the vengeful sorcerer out for blood, while Maruti was Calonarang’s nemesis, Empu Baradha, who eventually puts a stop to her wicked ways.

The next performance of this fusion dance will be in Esplanade, Singapore on February 10, 2007.

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