Gianyar, Regency

Calonarang, a Unique Dance from Telepud Village

“I am proud of the heritage of my predecessor in the form of unique calonarang art. This art has popularized the name of Telepud Village either at home or overseas,” said Pande Made Rahajeng, the supervising instructor of dance and gamelan ensemble at Telepud village.

Uniqueness of this calonarang lies on the marked difference on the storyline compared to that staged by other art troupes. The difference comprises the name of kingdoms, kings and other figures.
For instance, if other storylines applies the name Daha Kingdom, at Telepud it’s Wilwatikta Kingdom. Erlangga is a name of king in general but the name used by troupe of Telepud is Sri Rajapara. Banowati is another name given to the Calonarang.
The storyline of calonarang of Telepud commences from the power struggle at Wilwatikta Kingdom, between Sri Rajapara and Sri Jayakarta. Since Sri Jayakarta does not succeed to be the king, his envy flourishes. He calumniates Banowati as the king’s consort who has assassinated Sri Rajapara by her witchcraft that she masters. Then, Sri Jayakarta places on the throne.
Banowati is eventually dismissed from the palace. She then moved in a leisurely and aimless way. Therefore, having walked away she was very tired and fell unconscious. When she woke up, she was extremely surprised as she found herself laying in a graveyard.
In a sudden intense feeling of fear, a hair-raising creature appeared. She claimed herself the Goddess Durga. “O my lad, Banowati, your mum truly understands that your are innocent, you are just libeled. You’re accused of having pengleakan (black magic). As their assumption is so, starting from right now, I will teach you the most advanced black magic,” said Goddess Durga. Banowati was also bestowed a capacity to create a palace.
The palace she created was named Tanjung Pura. One day, son of King Sri Jayakarta whose name was Raden Rosapati dreamed of good fortune befalling him. Having consulted to the royal advisor the prince was suggested to hunt in the forest because there is a possibility to obtain many animals.
At last, Raden Rosapati arrived at Tanjung Pura palace. He met a very beautiful girl there. They fell in love and promised to make a formal agreement to get married. The prince promised to come again to propose Ratna Mangali, the daughter of Banowati.
Raden Rosapati informed his intention to pick up his girlfriend to meet the King. Since his father knew that Ratna Mangali was daughter of Banowati who was good at black magic, he did not confirm the request of Rosapati.
That is the difference of storyline between Calonarang of Telepud Village from that of other storyline in common. The next plot is exactly the same. “Up to these days, we do not know where the storylines used by our ancestor originates from so it can be different from other calonarang,” Rahajeng added.
It was said there is a more interesting thing. The number of dancers and gamelan players of Calonarang of Telepud are 300 personnel. It is caused by the ornament presented being immensely complete. Like the scene of Raden Rosapati when he went hunting in the forest, illustration of all kinds of forest animals are represented by dancers like tigers, small antelope, monkeys, wild boars, rabbits and so forth. Its gamelan players are also in great numbers as it employs 10 kinds of gamelan instruments, ranging from semara pagulingan saih lime, gong kebyar, kembang sirang, angklung, gender wayang, gambang, saron, grobungan, saih pitu and bleganjur.
This calonarang by and large performed on piodalan or temple festivals at Bali Bang Temple, Telepud Customary Village, Tegalalang sub district. To jazz up the Bali Arts Festival 2005 this calonarang troupe will get its turn on Monday (27 June). At the presentation, the calonarang troupe named Smara Ulangun will only present 100 artists (dancers and gamelan players) considering the distance of Telepud-Denpasar is far. (BTN/Made Suambara)