Ramayana Ballet

Old Dec 26th, 2015, 07:07 PM
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kja
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Ramayana Ballet

I hope to attend at least one open-air performance of the Ramayana Ballet at Prambanan in May. If I'm reading correctly, the FULL story is covered in a set of 4 evening performances. If I only attend one evening, or at most two consecutive evenings, is there anything I should consider when making my selection? Thanks!
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Old Dec 27th, 2015, 08:55 AM
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kja, I have only attended the condensed version of the ballet, about 3 hours. I've never been in central Java at the time of the full multi-night production. (BTW, I thought the full production was in August).

If you know the story, I don't it matters too much which night(s) you attend.

I look forward to hearing about your experience at the full production.
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Old Dec 27th, 2015, 09:34 AM
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Thanks, Kathie! I could be reading the schedule wrong, but the description I've seen suggests that the 4-night performance is staged every May through Oct. in the nights around the full moon, each performance taking about 2 hours. I think the condensed version is performed on other nights. (And all would be moved indoors if it rains.) Here's a link:
borobudursunrise.net/news142-jadwal-dan-harga-ramayana-ballet-prambanan-2016.html

Maybe I should, instead, pick one of the nights that provides the condensed version?
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Old Dec 27th, 2015, 10:53 AM
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I think you are right about the schedule, kja. Having never seen the full version, it's hard for me to make a recommendation. I will admit that if I was going to be there when it was offered, I would feel compelled to see at least one night of the full version as we loved the condensed version so much.
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Old Dec 27th, 2015, 05:21 PM
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I was beginning to think the same thing, Kathie! I could, perhaps, attend either the condensed version + first of 4 "episodes" or the last of the 4 "episodes" and the condensed version....

Too, I had thought that these performances might be one of the things around which to anchor the timing of the rest of my trip -- but I'm a bit less sure now. I know you were very impressed and moved by the performance you saw, and want to be sure that I have a chance of seeing something similarly delightful. Sounds like I can do so without aiming for one of the 4 "episode" (i.e., not condensed) performances. Options to ponder....

Thanks again!
And of course, further comments from others are welcome.
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Old Dec 27th, 2015, 05:48 PM
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I have seen the condensed version twice (20 years apart) and thought both were stunning.
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Old Dec 27th, 2015, 06:59 PM
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Good to know, Kathie -- thanks! Maybe I'll make a condensed version a priority -- that would, I think, give me the fullest range of performance styles and costumes and staging....

The downside, I think, is that I end up "anchorless" for planning my time in the area. Oh, life can be SO hard! ;-) The good news is that I think going for the "condensed" version will give me a great deal of freedom in my planning. And I might not need to pay quite so much for lodging -- bonus!

I'm still trying to decide whether being at Borobudur for Waisak / Vesak is a pro or con -- I'd love to see the release of the lanterns and a bit of the procession, but do NOT want to take part in the procession....

Otherwise, I haven't seen anything that should constrain my plans ... which are, tentatively, 3 weeks in central and eastern Java and Bali. If you know of things I should consider, please let me know! Otherwise, expect a very rough first cut itinerary in the next few weeks....

Of course, advance recommendations are welcome!
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Old Dec 27th, 2015, 08:11 PM
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I haven't been at Borobudur during Waisak, but my inclination would be to avoid it if you also want to see other area attractions.

Whether the spectacle of thousands of Buddhist pilgrims in procession would be awe inspiring or overwhelming really depends on how you feel about large crowds. Aside from the Buddhist ceremonies, Waisak is also a national holiday which will most likely become a long weekend, meaning that ALL of the destinations in Yogyakarta, Solo and the surrounding areas will be absolutely mobbed! To me this would detract from the personal and introspective experience of Borobudur and other ancient sites.

Note that May 5 & 6 are also national holidays next year making a four day weekend. Again, not the best time to visit Central Java or Bromo as they are popular destinations for local school and tour groups from all over Java.

I would also mention that the Ubud Food Festival will take place May 27-29 and Ubud will be quite busy that weekend. This is a wonderful event, featuring chefs and food personalities mostly Indonesian based.

http://ubudfoodfestival
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Old Dec 27th, 2015, 08:34 PM
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@ marmot --

I can not tell you how much I appreciate this input -- thank you so much!

As I said, I would love to see the release of lanterns, but have been a bit wary of getting caught up in any of the other Waisak activities. I hadn't thought about the closures of other nearby sites (except for the day of, and perhaps before or after) -- and that could well be the deciding factor!

And thanks for your comments about the May 5/6 holidays -- now decidedly OFF my planning calendar!

But it sounds like you do recommend the Ubud Food Festival? I might be able to work that in....

If it helps, I'm currently thinking of a 4 week trip that would be centered on central and eastern Java, so -- coming from the US -- maybe 4 days in Singapore, 2 + weeks in Java, maybe 5 days in Bali (centered in Ubud), and maybe 2 days in Hakone (Japan) on the way back (mostly because of airline routes). I am still in the very earliest stages of planning, so every element is still in play (except that my focus will be central and eastern Java), and any and all input is welcome even at this very preliminary point in my planning!

Thanks again!
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Old Dec 28th, 2015, 04:41 PM
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Just to clarify, I don't think popular attractions will be closed on Waisak; they'll just be very crowded.

If you're interested in cooking, food culture and learning more about Indonesian cuisine (techniques and ingredients) you'd find the Ubud Food Festival worthwhile. You can look at the 2015 program for an idea of what to expect. Last year was the first year for the food festival, which is an offshoot of the much loved Ubud Writers and Readers Festival. Both are well organized and attract a sophisticated and friendly crowd from all over the world.

Have you been to Bali before? If not, then you should think about extending your time there by a few days. May/June is a lovely time for the beach too -- clear skies and not too crowded.
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Old Dec 28th, 2015, 05:11 PM
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Thanks again, marmot! I will definitely look into the Ubud Food Festival. I have not yet been to Bali -- or anywhere else in Indonesia or SE Asia, and my plans are still quite flexible. I'm not a beach person, though. I'll make time for a sunset walk along a beach and maybe an hour of snorkeling if I can find a place suitable for novices, and that'll be about the extent of my beach time.
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Old Jan 9th, 2016, 11:27 PM
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I've posted a possible plan -- see
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-bali-plus.cfm
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 07:19 AM
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I am a frequent visitor to Bali and have seen the (condensed) Ramayana in the Ubud Palace twice. However, the last time was not a great experience because of constant disturbance with people coming and going, the helpers talking loudly behind the audience; and poor visibility owing to bad seating.
Where else may one see a GOOD performance, under better and more controlled conditions? ARMA in Ubud? And where else in Denpasar or Seminyak?
Please let me know. Thanks.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 07:24 AM
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I don't know of any great performances of the Ramayana on Bali (maybe marmot knows). If you are really interested in seeing the Ramayana, go to Java.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 06:01 PM
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Traditional performances of the Ramayana and Mahabarata epic poems are held every now and then in Bali and Java and will go on all night involving a lot of animated dialogue and dance enactments of selected episodes. The speakers chant, the dancers dance, the clowns tell jokes, the gamelan plays, hawkers sell food and drink and audience does whatever they please. They watch, they talk, they eat, they smoke, they gamble, the sleep, they come and go. The concept of everyone sitting quietly while the performance goes on is quite alien to the culture.

In Indonesia dance visualizations of Ramayana episodes (minus the extended dialogue) are often performed at religious ceremonies, temple festivals or holiday celebrations in a cleared area in the center of the compound.

There are a handful of venues that offer regular weekly shows attended mostly by tourists (both Indonesian and foreign). In Bali the dance troupes that perform at Ubud Palace are some of the best in the country. I'd say the same about the dancers at the Kraton in Yogya, but this is the in the classical style which refined and understated.

The "ballet" performances in Prambanan and other venues in Central Java are a combination of intimate classical dancing and large lively ensembles. I'm not saying one is more authentic or more valid than the other. They are just different.

Dance and gamelan music are constantly evolving in Indonesia with innovative moves, melodies and costumes appearing all the time. In addition to episodes from the epic poems, there are masked dances, trance dances and other dances unique to Bali like the Barong and Kecak. Every village and troupe has its own variation.

If you find the environment at Ubud Palace too distracting you might prefer one of the dancing venues that are set up as a stage in front of a seated audience, instead of a more traditional theater in the round. I believe the performances in Peliatan Village and ARMA would be good alternatives. The Ubud tourist center will give you a weekly schedule.

Taman Budaya / Bali Arts Center in Denpasar also stages excellent dance performances especially during the arts festival in June/July. Most of the major resorts in South Bali offer cultural performances featuring dance and gamelan (often with dinner). I can't recommend any in particular, but the Oberoi and the Tugu have peasant surroundings.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 06:10 PM
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Thanks, marmot! I already reserved my seat for a Ramayana performance at Prambanan, but hope to see some other performances as well, so this information is very helpful for me, too.
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Old Feb 11th, 2016, 08:03 PM
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kja, I wanted to make sure you saw the NYT article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/14/tr...pgtype=article
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