Breathing New Life Into Legong Bedulu

KOMPAS/AYU SULISTYOWATI

Three dancers practicea Legong Kupu-Kupu Tarum dance accompanied by Seka Legong Ganda Manik music orchestra at the hall of Samuan Tiga Temple, Bedulu village, Gianyar regency, Bali, Thursday (4/5) evening. They have been reconstructing and revitalizing a number of Legong dances with Bedulu style since 1980.

Gusti Ayu Diah, 12, and Gusti Ayu Mei Swari, 13, light-footedly perform the Legong Kupu-Kupu Tarum dance during a training session at the yard of the Samuan Tiga Temple, Bedulu, Gianyar regency on Thursday (4/5) night. The dance had long disappeared before being reconstructed and performed again 37 years ago by the descendants of the old dancers.

Diah and Mei are the youngest generation among the Legong Kupu-kupu Tarum dancers and bringing the Legong Bedulu dances back to the stage requires time and hard work.