The Ramayana is one of the two
greatest Hindu epics.
The story explores human values, the
concept of dharma (cosmic order) and finally, by using "ideal"
brothers, servants, fathers, wives and even kings, proper human conduct.
All together, the Ramayana is made
up of 24,000 verses and seven books. It tells the story of the model king,
Rama, a manifestation of the Hindu god, Vishnu, whose beloved wife, Sita, has
been kidnapped by the demon-king, Ravana
This memorable ancient Indian
literary work has had an important influence on arts and culture, not only in
India, but throughout Southeast Asia, where it became popular in the 8th
century.
The Ramayana has been represented in
books, dance choreography, theater plays, temple architecture and paintings.
In Yogyakarta, the Ramayana was
adapted to local taste and represented through dance. It has now become one of
the most important dances in the city.
The story might have originated in
India, but the version in Yogyakarta is truly Javanese, as is the music.
On a trip to Yogyakarta, make sure
to head to Prambanan temple and attend one of the incredible evening dance
performances running from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m., weather permitting
During the dry season, from May to
October, the ballet is held on the open-air stage. From November to April, the
performance takes place indoors at the Trimutri theatre.
While waiting for the show to start,
dinner is available at the nearby Prambanan Garden Resto, which features a wide
range of Indonesian dishes and a romantic setting.
With more than 150 professional
gamelan musicians and dancers in the performance, your evening will most
certainly be a memorable one.
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