Janger Dance

The flute begins an eerie tune, and faraway voices chant a strange song that flows from a loud melody to a nearly inaudible high pitch. Two girl singers appear wearing splendid, floral crowns with multi-coiored spikes. They advance, allowing another pair to enter, until twelve girls have filed on stage.

Slowly, they kneel opposite each other, cocking their heads and darting their eyes to accent the rhythm of the orchestra. As the chanting continues, txkeive young men silently repeat the girls' entrance. In contrast to feminine delicacy, their movements are deliberate and strong. All wear painted moustaches and bear the self assured look of a glitk courtier.

Suddenly, the male formation breaks into frenzied activity of twists, jerks and lunges -all in the tight syncopation of a military drill, with brisk shouts of "O beh 1 0 beh 1 Dinga dinga ding janger-ger!" Instantly, the,,shock wave ceases, the men freeze in their positions, and the lonely flute carries the dance Gack to the soft sways and chanting of the girls The juxtaposition of the subdued motions of the girls against the dynamic thrusts of the men, the harmonious feminine song against the jagged yells of male voices, makes Janger an artful composition of dance, music and chorus.

A folk dance introduced to the island in the thirties, Janger also has its origin in the Sanghyang trance ceremony, in which the women chant the Sanghyang song and the men alternate with the gruff sounds of the Kecak. When the dance first came into existence, it spread through the banjars like fire.

Every village had to have a Janger group, and the dance became a popular social event between young boys and girls. Within a few years Janger lost its paramount place among the dances, and was replaced in popularity by the Arja opera. Now, Drama Gong, a form of opera which originated only in the mid-60s, is in vogue; which only goes to show innovation is a star attraction among the Balinese and the liveliness of their theatre is in the constant revival of old forms in new styles.