An intimate resort in the highlands of Bali with a reputation for deep artistic roots, it’s not just the mesmerising sculptures, statues and paintings collected during the founder’s lifetime. One of her greatest contributions to the local arts scene has been in the performing arts with her Kecak extravaganza, a traditional and captivating Balinese dance and drama that is a bucket list experience for many visitors to the island.
Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, recently announced the addition of a third performance night. Every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, a troupe of 60-70 bare-chested men descend on the resort’s open-air amphitheatre to perform the epic Ramayana. There is love and war, struggle and success, good and evil, human kings and a monkey king. The performers chant and dance in a hypnotic state in concentric rings around an open flame under the stars. The rhythm comes from the chorus of monkeys and their intoxicating chants.
Kecak originated in Bali almost a century ago in the 1930s and has its roots in Sanghyang, an ancient trance-like dance that also developed on the island.
The evening begins at 7pm when guests are welcomed with a chilled lemongrass drink and given a frangipani flower by Balinese women dressed in traditional kebaya. They are then seated in front of one of the resort’s most impressive structures, a Candi Bentar, a Balinese style split gate with carved elephants. The design of the resort’s amphitheatre gives the audience plenty of space, yet the feeling of being part of an intimate gathering.
Bathed in torchlight, guests watch the 30-minute Balinese Kecak and Fire Dance performance. There is then an opportunity for guests to take photographs with the performers before experiencing a Royal Rijsttafel dinner, a three-course family style meal, at The Tempayan restaurant. Private performances are available on request.
The Kecak performance will run three times a week until 31 December 2023, before dropping to Tuesday and Friday performances only in 2024. Reservations must be made in advance.